The state is reminding potential employers about
Pennsylvania’s child labor laws as summer school vacations begin. State and
federal laws limit when those under 18 can work. Whichever law is more
stringent is the one that applies in a given situation. Pennsylvania Department
of Labor and Industry spokesman Troy Thompson notes summer employment can yield
gains for both employers and young employees – as long as the rules are
followed.
Thompson says children under 14 can be newspaper carriers or
caddies, they can do neighborhood chores and they can do some farm work, but
that’s about it. He says young high-schoolers can work more hours, while older
teens face fewer restrictions."Youth ages 16 and 17 can work a maximum of
8 hours a day – there are no limits between the times they can work – or 44
hours a week during summer vacation with no night work limit. They can be issued
a transferable work permit to be used if they change jobs,"
Thompson says. Occupations classified as dangerous are
off-limits. These include electrical, explosive and excavating work and
activities like welding, roofing and mining. More information is available at
the department website, keyword "labor laws."
