Do you have a teen that is in the workforce now or hopes to join soon? Did you know that there are certain jobs that teens cannot legally perform? Did you know there are also limits on specific job functions teens can perform?
While most teen employment restrictions are spelled out in labor laws, the job of enforcing them is the responsibility of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Their mission is to keep all workers (teens and adults) safe from injuries.
According to OSHA, teens under the age of 18 in non-agricultural jobs may not perform the following:
Prohibited Occupations for Agricultural Employees
The child labor rules that apply to agricultural employment depend on the age of the young worker and the kind of job to be performed. The rules are the same for all youth, migrant children as well as local resident children. In addition to restrictions on hours, the Secretary of Labor has found that certain jobs in agriculture are too hazardous for anyone under 16 to perform.
If your teen wants to earn extra money and is excited about getting that first job and is 14 or 15 years old, there are additional restrictions on what they can do.
There are several websites and online resources that can help parents and teens learn more about the laws and risks involved in teen employment. OSHA provides a complete teen worker site that discusses related laws, hazards and provides links to additional resources. They also provide an in-depth eTool that covers teen worker safety in restaurants.
For more information, go to: http://www.osha.gov/youngworkers/index.html