New child labor rules have been published by the U.S. Dept of Labor updating protections for young employees in non-agricultural work.
The 59-page final rule describes in detail the jobs that children are allowed, and are not allowed to perform; it clarifies the hours of work and conditions of employment permitted for minors age 14 to 15 years. The final rule also provides guidelines for school-supervised work-study programs.
The regulations “protect young employees from dangerous machines and tools, excessive work hours and other hazards at work,” says Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “These rules incorporate recommendations from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and take a common sense approach to keeping young workers safe from harm.”
