Established in 1914 by the state legislature, State Fund is California's most reliable provider of workers' compensation insurance and a vital asset to California businesses. State Fund supports California's entrepreneurial spirit and plays a stabilizing role in the economy by providing fairly priced workers' compensation insurance, helping California employers keep their workplaces safe, and restoring injured workers.
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
Work Hours for Teens
Safety Information For Employers in Industries Where Teens are Commonly Employed
18 Years
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.
Prohibited Tasks for 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
Prohibited Tasks for 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
Prohibited Tasks for 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.
Prohibited Tasks for Under 12 Years Old
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.
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
Work Hours for Teens 14 - 15 Years Old:
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
Work Hours for Teens 12 - 13 Years Old:
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.
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.
Safety Information for the Agriculture Industry:
Tips for Employers to Prevent Youth Employee Injuries
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
Safety Information for the Car Wash Industry:
Tips for Employers to Prevent Youth Employee Injuries
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
Safety Information for the Coffee Shop Industry:
Tips for Employers to Prevent Youth Employee Injuries
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
Safety Information for the Food Service Industry:
Tips for Employers to Prevent Youth Employee Injuries
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
Safety Information for the Grocery Industry:
Tips for Employers to Prevent Youth Employee Injuries
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
Safety Information for the Movie Theater Industry:
Tips for Employers to Prevent Youth Employee Injuries
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
Safety Information for Offices:
Tips for Employers to Prevent Youth Employee Injuries
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
Safety Information for the Retail Industry:
Tips for Employers to Prevent Youth Employee Injuries
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
This web page was based upon content developed by the Maine Department of Labor and customized for California by the State Compensation Insurance Fund with permission of the Maine Department of Labor. Additional content was provided by the California Labor Occupational Health Program.
The following links provide additional information:
