Young & Teen Workers
Young workers are injured at higher rates than adults: they’re new, eager to please, and may not feel comfortable speaking up. Federal and state child labor laws limit the jobs and tools they can use.
- Construction
- General Industry
- State-specific
Federal rules for non-farm jobs (summary)
- Under 14: generally can’t be employed in non-agricultural jobs, with limited exceptions.
- 14 and 15: limited hours, and generally no construction work except office or sales work away from the jobsite.
- 16 and 17: no limit on hours under federal law, but they can’t work in jobs the Department of Labor has declared hazardous.
Hazardous jobs teens (under 18) can’t do
- Operating forklifts, cranes, hoists and other power-driven hoisting equipment
- Operating power-driven circular saws, band saws, chainsaws, guillotine shears and most woodworking machines
- Roofing work, and work on or about a roof
- Trenching and excavation work
- Wrecking, demolition and shipbreaking
- Operating power-driven metal forming, punching and shearing machines
- Most driving on public roads as part of the job
- Work involving explosives and most mining
Registered apprentices and student-learners may qualify for limited exemptions from some of these rules. Many states have stricter child labor laws, such as work permits and tighter hour limits. Check your state labor department.
Tips for young workers
- You have the same safety rights as every worker. See Your Rights.
- Ask questions, and say no to tasks you haven’t been trained for or that are on the list above.
- Report injuries, even small ones.
Standards & references
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