Massachusetts Child Labor Laws
Massachusetts child labor laws are in place to protect the safety, health, and welfare of minors employed in the state. The laws set limits on what tasks children ages 14-17 may perform while working and how many hours they are allowed to work. These regulations are established by both federal and Massachusetts state laws.
Minors under the age of 16 must obtain a Work Permit before they can start working unless their job falls under certain exemptions outlined by Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 149 Section 51A-51J. The permit is valid for one year from issuance or until the minor turns 18 years old, whichever comes first. Minors aged 14 and 15 may not work more than nine hours per day or 48 hours per week with no more than six consecutive days worked in any one week.
Child Labor Laws in Massachusetts For Minors Under 14
Child labor laws in Massachusetts are designed to protect minors under the age of 14 from harsh, dangerous and exploitative working conditions. In Massachusetts, state law requires that children under the age of 14 must have a work permit and be supervised by an adult at all times. The work permit can be obtained through the local school district or authorized personnel designated by the state.
In addition, employers hiring minors must provide information about safety regulations and inform workers about hazardous materials they will come into contact with while on the job. Employers must also ensure that their workplace is free from any potential health risks or hazards. Minors are not allowed to work in any hazardous industries or occupations involving mining, manufacturing, construction, or transportation activities. Furthermore, minors under 14 may only work between 7am-7pm and cannot exceed 3 hours per day during school days or 8 hours on non-school days.
Child Labor Laws in Massachusetts For Minors 14 and 15 Years Old
Child labor laws in Massachusetts are specific to the age of minors. For those aged 14 and 15 years old, there are particular restrictions that employers must be aware of. It is important that employers take the time to understand these regulations as failure to comply puts them at risk of significant fines and penalties. The following will provide a detailed explanation of what is allowed when it comes to employing minors aged 14 and 15 in the state of Massachusetts.
In Massachusetts, all children under 16 years old must have a work permit before beginning employment. This includes those aged 14 and 15, who can only work between 7:00 am-7:00 pm during school days; this timeframe changes for non-school days, however, where they can work up to 9:00 pm.
Child Labor Laws in Massachusetts For Minors 16 and 17 Years Old
Child labor laws in Massachusetts are designed to protect minors 16 and 17 years of age from exploitation and unsafe working conditions. These laws provide basic guidelines for the hours and type of work that a minor can do, as well as protecting them against being taken advantage of or neglected at their place of work. The state of Massachusetts offers rigorous protection for these young workers, as they are still in the process of developing both mentally and physically.
Under Massachusetts law, minors 16 and 17 years old are not allowed to work before 7:00 AM or after 7:00 PM during the school year. They can only work until 9 PM on non-school nights, with the exception being if their parent or guardian provides written permission.
Which Jobs Minors Can Do In Massachusetts As Child Labor Laws
With the right resources, you can find jobs that suit your needs. To help narrow down the search, here are some of the jobs minors are legally allowed to do in Massachusetts.
- Office and clerical work, including answering phones, filing, and data entry.
- Retail work, such as stocking shelves, bagging items, and running a cash register.
- Food service jobs, such as bussing tables, washing dishes, and preparing cold foods.
- Delivery work for newspapers, flowers, and food.
- Groundskeeping and landscaping work, such as mowing lawns, raking leaves, and watering plants.
- Library work, including shelving books, organizing materials, and assisting patrons.
- Certain jobs in the arts, such as acting, singing, and playing an instrument.
- Tutoring and teaching, with some restrictions.
- Babysitting and caregiving for children, with some restrictions.
Which Hazardous Jobs Minors Can’t Do In Massachusetts As Child Labor Laws
Working as a minor in Massachusetts can be both beneficial and detrimental. On one hand, it can provide an early introduction to the working world, giving minors valuable experience and teaching responsibility. On the other hand, however, it can be dangerous for minors due to hazardous work conditions or activities that are prohibited by state law. It’s important for employers and parents alike to understand which hazardous jobs minors cannot do in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts under the Child Labor Laws.
The main purpose of these laws is to protect young workers from dangerous activities while also allowing them to gain meaningful employment experiences.
- Manufacturing or storing explosives.
- Operating power-driven woodworking machines.
- Coal mining or other mining work.
- Operating power-driven hoisting equipment or forklifts.
- Operating power-driven metal-forming, punching, and shearing machines.
- Operating power-driven bakery machines.
- Operating power-driven paper products machines.
- Operating power-driven circular saws, band saws, and guillotine shears.
- Wrecking and demolition work.
- Roofing and work on or near a roof.