Minors can do office work and other types of nonhazardous work beginning at age 14. There are hour restrictions that apply to minors under the age of 16. (See below.)

Child Labor Laws prohibit minors under 18 from working in occupations determined to be hazardous, including:

Construction
  • Operation of power-driven woodworking machines.
  • Operation of power-driven hoisting apparatus.
  • Operation of power-driven, metal forming, punching, and shearing machines.
  • Operation of circular saws, band saws and guillotine shears.
  • Wrecking, demolition and shipbuilding operations.
  • Roofing operations.
  • Excavation operations.

Other hazardous work

Operation in or about establishments manufacturing or storing explosives or articles containing explosive components.

  • Motor vehicle drivers and helpers (with exceptions).
  • Jobs involving exposure to radioactive substances and to ionizing radiation.

EXCEPTIONS

The Act does not apply to minors 16 or 17 years of age if they:

  • Have received a high school diploma,
  • Have received a school release certificate,
  • Are legally married, or
  • Are heads of a household.

Minors under the age of 18 are entitled to a meal period of at least 30 minutes not later than five hours from the beginning of their shift. A rest break of at least 10 minutes for every three hour period or part thereof that is worked by minors is required.

Under Federal law, those 14 and 15 may not work more than three hours on a school day, may not work past 7:00 p.m. from Labor Day to June 1, and past 9:00 p.m. from June 1 to Labor Day.

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  • Introduction
  • OSHA