State Fund is committed to reducing work-related injuries and illnesses among young workers and educating employers on the specific work place hazards that could affect young workers. We are a member of the California Partnership for Young Workers’ Health and Safety, a coalition of agencies, labor organizations, teachers, and other professionals devoted to reducing work-related accidents among youth. State Fund has developed a variety of resources and guidelines to encourage employers to join in the effort to keep young workers safe and healthy in the workplace.
Prohibited Tasks by Age
Under 12
The following are major work restrictions for youths under 12 years of age in California. Special rules or provisions, which may be important, may not be included. See Child Labor Laws, or contact the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement for details.
Non-agricultural Work
Generally, youths under age 12 are not permitted to work. Common Exceptions: Workers under 12 years of age may perform in the entertainment industry, work in businesses owned by their parents (except hazardous jobs), baby sit, and do minor domestic work around a private home.
Agricultural Work
Youths under age 12 may not be employed or permitted to work or accompany an employed parent or guardian into an agricultural zone of danger, unless the minor is employed by the parent or guardian on the premises the parent or guardian owns operates, or controls. Agricultural zones of danger include around moving equipment, unprotected chemicals, and unprotected water hazards.
12-13 Year Olds
The following are major work restrictions for 12 – 13 year old youths in California. Special rules or provisions, which may be important, may not be included. See Child Labor Laws, or contact the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement for details.
Non-agricultural work
Generally, youths 12 – 13 years old are prohibited from most non-agricultural work. Common Exceptions: Youths 12 – 13 may deliver newspapers, perform in the entertainment industry, work in businesses owned by their parents (except hazardous jobs), baby sit, and do minor domestic work around a private home. See Child Labor Laws, or contact the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement for details.
Agricultural work
Generally youths 12 – 13 years old may work for their parents on a farm owned or controlled by their parents without a work permit. See Child Labor Laws, or contact the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement for details.
14-15 Year Olds
The following are the major work restrictions for 14 & 15 year old youths in California. Other restrictions may apply depending upon the worker’s age and the industry. There are limited exemptions for workers under 18 who are in apprenticeship and student-learner programs. See Child Labor Laws, or contact the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement for details.
- Drive a motor vehicle
- Operate power-driven machinery:
- Meat Slicer
- Bakery machines (including dough mixers)
- Box crushers/compactors
- Woodworking machines
- Metalworking machines
- Punches
- Hoists
- Forklifts
- Circular saws
- Band saws
- Guillotine shears
- Handle, serve, or sell alcoholic beverages
- Be exposed to radioactive substances or ionizing radiation
- Work in:
- Wrecking or Demolition
- Excavation
- Logging or Sawmills
- Roofing
- Manufacturing brick or tile
- Manufacturing or storage of explosives
- Mining
- Meat packing or processing
- Mix, load, or apply Category 1 pesticides
- Work in an immoral vocation or place
- Work in building or construction
- Work in manufacturing or food processing
- Do any baking or cooking on the job except with electric or gas grills that do not involve cooking over an open flame and with deep fat fryers that automatically lower and raise the baskets
- Do dry cleaning or work in a commercials laundry
- Work on a ladder or scaffold
- Work in a freezer or meat cooler
- Load or unload trucks, railroad cars, or conveyors
- Work in a warehouse (except as a clerical)
- Dispense gas or oil
- Clean, wash, or polish cars
- Use power lawn mowers
16-17 Year Olds
The following are the major work restrictions for 16 & 17 year old youths in California. Other restrictions may apply depending upon the worker’s age and the industry. There are limited exemptions for workers under 18 who are in apprenticeship and student-learner programs. See Child Labor Laws, or contact the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement for details.
- Drive a motor vehicle on public streets as part of the job, or work as an outside helper on a motor vehicle.
- Operate power-driven machinery:
- Meat Slicer
- Bakery machines (including dough mixers)
- Box crushers/compactors
- Woodworking machines
- Metalworking machines
- Punches
- Hoists
- Forklifts
- Circular saws
- Band saws
- Guillotine shears
- Handle, serve, or sell alcoholic beverages
- Be exposed to radioactive substances or ionizing radiation
- Work in:
- Wrecking or Demolition
- Excavation
- Logging or Sawmills
- Roofing
- Manufacturing brick or tile
- Manufacturing or storage of explosives
- Mining
- Meat packing or processing
- Mix, load, or apply Category 1 pesticides
- Work in an immoral vocation or place
18 Years or Older
Child labor laws do not apply and persons who are at least 18 may be employed in any occupation without restriction, with rare exceptions such as the sale and service of alcohol or the transportation of hazardous materials. See Child Labor Laws, or contact the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement for details.
Work Hours for Teens
Under 12
Generally youths under 12 are precluded from working. See Child Labor Laws, or contact the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement for details.
Exceptions: Work hours restrictions are more relaxed and permit work on school days but preclude work during school hours for youths working for their parents on a farm owned or controlled by their parents, performing in the entertainment industry, working in businesses owned by their parents (except hazardous jobs), baby sitting, and doing minor domestic work around a private home.
12-13 Year Olds
Generally, 12 & 13 year old youths may only work on non-school days. See Child Labor Laws, or contact the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement for details. Note also that some school districts may have more restrictive work hours.
General Work Hours
- 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. from Labor Day – June 1st *
- 7:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. from June 1st – Labor Day *
* May be interpreted differently for year round school. Check with the appropriate school district office.
Maximum Hours Per Week
- 40 hours a week but not over 8 hours a day
Some exceptions to the work only on non-school days rule exist for youths working in the entertainment industry. Some exceptions that may permit work on school days but preclude work during school hours exist for youths working for their parents on a farm owned or controlled by their parents, delivering newspapers, working in businesses owned by their parents (except hazardous jobs), baby sitting, and doing minor domestic work around a private home. See Child Labor Laws, or contact the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement for details.
14-15 Year Olds
The following are general work hour rules for 14 & 15 year old youths in California. Note some school districts may have more restrictive rules, and there are some exceptions for teens in Work Experience Education programs. High school graduates or those awarded a certificate of proficiency may be employed for the same hours as adults and do not require permits. See Child Labor Laws, or contact the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement for details.
General Work Hours
- 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. from Labor Day – June 1st *
- 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. from June 1st – Labor Day *
- Not During School Hours
* May be interpreted differently for year round school. Check with the appropriate school district office.
Maximum Hours Per Week
- When School is in Session:
- 18 hours a week but not over 3 hours a day on school days, and 8 hours a day Saturday – Sunday & Holidays.
- When School is Not in Session:
- 40 hours a week but not over 8 hours a day
16-17 Year Olds
The following are general work hour rules for 16 & 17 year old youths in California. Note some school districts may have more restrictive rules, and there are some exceptions for teens in Work Experience Education programs. High school graduates or those awarded a certificate of proficiency may be employed for the same hours as adults and do not require permits. See Child Labor Laws, or contact the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement for details.
General Work Hours
- 5:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. when there is school the next day
- 5:00 a.m. – 12:30 a.m. when there is no school the next day
Maximum Hours Per Week
- When School is in Session:
- 48 hours a week but not over 4 hours a day Monday – Thursday, and 8 hours a day Friday – Sunday & Holidays.
- When School is Not in Session:
- 48 hours a week but not over 8 hours a day
18 Years or Older
Generally, persons who are at least 18 may be employed in any occupation without work hour restrictions. See Child Labor Laws, or contact the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement for details.
Safety Information For Employers in Industries Where Teens are Commonly Employed
Agriculture
This is not a complete list of safety hazards in the agricultural industry, and is intended to promote awareness of only the most common youth employee injuries and possible prevention measures. Always start by properly training the youth employee.
- To prevent sunburn and heat related injuries:
- Provide sunscreen
- Provide protective clothing
- Schedule work to avoid intense sun
- Provide breaks in the shade
- Provide adequate water
- To prevent strains and sprains:
- Use helpers
- Rotate jobs
- Provide breaks
- To prevent dermatitis:
- Provide barrier creams
- Provide gloves
- Provide training on recognizing noxious plants and weeds
- Provide protective clothing
- To prevent eye injuries:
- Provide safety glasses
- To prevent injuries from farm equipment and machinery:
- Keep safety devices in place
- Remind employees under 18 that they cannot mix load or apply category 1 pesticides
- Prohibit loose clothing and hair around power equipment
- To prevent back injuries:
- Keep heavy items on the ground
- Use helpers
- Rotate job
Car Wash
This is not an inclusive list of safety hazards in a car wash, and is intended to promote awareness of only the most common youth employee injuries and possible prevention measures. Always start by properly training the youth employee.
- To prevent slips or falls:
- Encourage the use of nonskid shoes
- To prevent dermatitis:
- Provide safer cleaning products
- Provide gloves
- To prevent back injuries:
- Keep heavy items on lower shelves
- Use helpers
- Rotate jobs
- Provide dollies
- Provide breaks for jobs involving standing for long periods
- To prevent injuries from equipment and machinery:
- Keep safety devices in place
- Prohibit loose clothing and hair around power equipment
- Remind employees under 16 that they cannot dispense gas or oil, or clean, wash, or polish cars
- To discourage customer misbehavior:
- Have adequate security
- Schedule at least two people per shift
- Provide customer service training
Coffee Shop
This is not an inclusive list of safety hazards in the coffee shop industry, and is intended to promote awareness of only the most common youth employee injuries and possible prevention measures. Always start by properly training the youth employee.
- To prevent burns:
- Keep appliances in safe condition
- Have guards around hot surfaces
- Provide mitts or gloves
- Use grease pans that dump automatically
- Have splash guards
- Provide protective clothing
- To prevent cuts:
- Keep guards in place for slicers and powered cutting equipment
- Proper train
- Turn off when cleaning
- Remind employees under 18 that they cannot use a meat or deli slicer
- To prevent slips or falls:
- Clean up spills quickly
- Use floor mats
- Encourage the use of nonskid shoes
- To prevent dermatitis:
- Provide safer cleaning products
- Provide gloves
- To prevent back injuries:
- Keep heavy items on lower shelves
- Use helpers
- Rotate jobs
- Provide dollies
- Provide breaks for jobs involving standing for long periods
- To discourage customer misbehavior:
- Have adequate security
- Schedule at least two people per shift
- Use barriers where money is handled
- Provide customer service training
Food Service
This is not an inclusive list of safety hazards in the food service industry, and is intended to promote awareness of only the most common youth employee injuries and possible prevention measures. Always start by properly training the youth employee.
- To prevent burns:
- Keep appliances in safe condition
- Have guards around hot surfaces
- Provide mitts or gloves
- Use grease pans that dump automatically
- Have splash guards
- Provide protective clothing
- Remind employees under 16 that they cannot do any baking or cooking on the job (except cooking at a serving counter)
- To prevent cuts:
- Keep guards in place for slicers and powered cutting equipment
- Proper train
- Turn off when cleaning
- Remind employees under 18 that they cannot use a meat or deli slicer
- To prevent slips or falls:
- Clean up spills quickly
- Use floor mats
- Encourage the use of nonskid shoes
- To prevent dermatitis:
- Provide safer cleaning products
- Provide gloves
- To prevent back injuries:
- Keep heavy items on lower shelves
- Use helpers
- Rotate jobs
- Provide dollies
- Provide breaks for jobs involving standing for long periods
- To discourage customer misbehavior:
- Have adequate security
- Schedule at least two people per shift
- Use barriers where money is handled
- Provide customer service training
Grocery
This is not an inclusive list of safety hazards in the grocery industry, and is intended to promote awareness of only the most common youth employee injuries and possible prevention measures. Always start by properly training the youth employee.
- To prevent cuts:
- Keep box crushers and box cutters in good condition
- Remind employees under 18 that they cannot use box crushers, cutters, and deli slicers
- Keep guards in place on deli slicer
- To prevent repetitive motion injuries from checkout scanners:
- Redesign check stands
- Provide regular breaks
- Rotate jobs
- To prevent slips or falls:
- Clean up spills quickly
- Do not leave items on any walk way
- Use floor mats
- Encourage the use of nonskid shoes
- To prevent dermatitis:
- Provide safer cleaning products
- Provide gloves
- To prevent back injuries:
- Keep heavy items on lower shelves
- Use helpers
- Rotate jobs
- Provide dollies
- Provide breaks for jobs involving standing for long periods
- To prevent frostbite from cold storage areas:
- Limit time in cold areas
- Remind employees under 16 that they cannot work in a freezer or meat cooler
- Provide protective clothing
- Provide insulated gloves
- To discourage customer misbehavior:
- Have adequate security
- Schedule at least two people per shift
- Use barriers where money is handled
- Provide customer service training
Movie Theater
This is not an inclusive list of safety hazards in the movie theater industry, and is intended to promote awareness of only the most common youth employee injuries and possible prevention measures. Always start by properly training the youth employee.
- To prevent burns or electric shocks:
- Keep appliances in safe condition
- Wear gloves or mitts when working with hot surfaces associated with popcorn and hot dog machines
- To prevent slips or falls:
- Clean up spills quickly
- Use floor mats
- Encourage the use of nonskid shoes
- Provide flashlights for dark environments
- To prevent dermatitis:
- Provide safer cleaning products
- Provide gloves
- To prevent back injuries:
- Keep heavy items on lower shelves
- Use helpers
- Rotate jobs
- Provide dollies
- Provide breaks for jobs involving standing for long periods
- To discourage customer misbehavior:
- Have adequate security
- Schedule at least two people per shift
- Use barriers where money is handled
- Provide customer service training
Office
This is not an inclusive list of safety hazards in offices, and is intended to promote awareness of only the most common youth employee injuries and possible prevention measures. Always start by properly training the youth employee.
- To prevent tripping injuries:
- Don’t run cords through public areas
- Keep carpets secure
- Do not leave items in any walk ways
- To prevent eyestrain, back pain, and repetitive motion injuries:
- Use adjustable chairs and work stations
- Train employees to adjust monitors, work stations and chairs properly
- Provide regular breaks
- To discourage customer misbehavior:
- Have adequate security
- Schedule at least two people per shift
- Provide customer service training
- To prevent back injuries:
- Keep heavy items on lower shelves
- Use helpers
- Rotate jobs
- Provide dollies
- Provide breaks for jobs involving standing for long periods
Retail
This is not an inclusive list of safety hazards in the retail industry, and is intended to promote awareness of only the most common youth employee injuries and possible prevention measures. Always start by properly training the youth employee.
- To prevent repetitive motion injuries from checkout scanners:
- Redesign check stands
- Provide regular breaks
- Rotate jobs
- To prevent back injuries:
- Keep heavy items on lower shelves
- Use helpers
- Rotate jobs
- Provide dollies
- Provide breaks for jobs involving standing for long periods
- To discourage customer misbehavior:
- Have adequate security
- Schedule at least two people per shift
- Use barriers where money is handled
- Provide customer service training
Additional Information
State of California Department of Industrial Relations – Youth in Construction eTool
OSHA – Young Workers You Have Rights!
Labor Occupational Health Program (LOHP) UC Berkeley – Young Worker Health and Safety Projects