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Show X V it X s Laws regulate summer employment By KATHLEEN WILSON Did you know that teenagers may be breaking the law working on their summer jobs? The child labor laws of the U.S. Department of Labor under the Fair Labor Standards Act prohibit r persons under the age of 16 from operating a power driven lawn mower when employed by someone some-one other than their parents. While 14 and 15 year olds may be employed in cleanup work, the law specifically prohibits the use of power-driven mowers or cutters. It I li ! f III ITI I V I I III I II I B Mil is okay to do office and clerical work, retail cashiering, price marketing mar-keting and tagging, bagging and carrying out customers' orders, errand and delivery work by foot, bicycle or public transportation, as O CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Child labor laws CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 O well as kitchen work and work with cars and trucks such as dispensing gas and car cleaning. But work is prohibited in garages involving the use of pits, racks or lifting apparatus. Many places of employment are off limits to 14 and 15 year olds including: any manufacturing, mining or processing occupation, including dry cleaning and laundry facilities. Construction, including repair re-pair Outside window washing that involves working from window sills and all work requiring the use of ladders or scaffolds. Work in freezers and meat coolers. Loading and unloading goods Children under the age of 16 are protected by the law to ensure their schooling, health and well-being. The law does make a provision that it is okay for a neighbor to hire a neighbor as long as they are paid less than $50 per quarter. If the worker is paid more than $50 in a three month period, the restrictions restric-tions apply These guidelines are for non-agricultural non-agricultural jobs; farm occupations have different requirements. In our suburban communities, these laws apply to many teenagers employed in summer jobs, so parents and employers, em-ployers, be aware. |