DOL Updates Regulations on Child Labor
The United States Department of Labor published its final rule updating regulations concerning employment of minors, effective July 19, 2010. The new regulations are designed to more accurately reflect the modern workplace.
- The new regulations add industries in which minors ages 14 and 15 are permitted to work, including advertising, banking and information technology. For minors ages 16 and 17, jobs which involve the operation of power-driven pizza-dough rollers and portable food mixers, under certain conditions are now judged to be safe for youth.
- Conversely, the new regulations also add to the list of prohibited industries due to their hazardous nature, notably work at poultry slaughtering and packing plants, forest-fighting, and the operation of certain equipment, including balers and compacters, chain saws and similar equipment. Door-to-door sales, unless done on a volunteer basis for charity, is also prohibited.
- The new rule establishes a work-study program for students ages 14 and 15 enrolled in college preparatory curricula, and allows them to work during school hours. The old regulations were similar but focused on keeping the drop-out rate among youth low and motivate them for education and the working world.
The federal fact sheet can be found at http://www.dol.gov/whd/cl/whdfsCLFR.htm.