Ohio Child Labor Laws
In Ohio, the large population of American Indians long utilized children to assist with hunting and growing crops. As the State of Ohio developed, this practice expanded among the general population, to employ children to work on farms, in factories and in mines. Early Ohio Child Labor Laws originated to address this growing trend.
Child Labor Laws in Ohio For Minors Under 14
The Ohio Child Labor Laws are administered by the Ohio Department of Commerce and restrict those under the age of 14 from working. There are some exceptions, including work in babysitting or housesitting jobs, work for businesses owned by parents or guardians, newspaper routes for delivery purposes only, performance in radio, television, motion picture, or theater.
Child Labor Laws in Ohio For Minors 14 and 15 Years Old
Minors 14 and 15 years old may be employed with a work permit. They may not work in establishments which sell or serve alcohol for consumption.
They may not work in the Hazardous Occupations listed below prohibiting all minors under 18.
Specifically, minors 14 and 15 years of age may not work in the following Hazardous Occupations:
- Manufacturing
- Mining
- Processing
- Public Messenger positions
- Work in Freezers or large Walk-in Coolers
- Preparation of Meat for Consumption
- Transportation
- Communications
- Public Utilities
- Boiler Room Maintenance
- Machinery Repair
- Window Washing with use of Scaffolding
- Baking and/or Cooking for Public Consumption
- Operating Power Food Slicers or Other Food Processing Machines
- Loading and Unloading Trucks for Commercial or Industrial Shipment
- Any Warehouse Work other than Clerical Tasks
- Work Involving Automobiles, including both Operation and Servicing
Ohio Child Labor Law details the restrictions for this age group as follows:
When public school is in session:
- No working during school hours
- No more than three hours on school days
- A maximum of eight hours on non-school days
- A maximum of 18 hours per week
- No earlier than 7am or later than 9pm
When public school is not in session (out of session includes holidays lasting longer than five consecutive school days):
- No more than eight hours per day
- A maximum of 40 hours per week
- No earlier than 7am or later than 7pm
The only exceptions to the restrictions of hours apply to vocational or work-study programs or other education-based programs approved by the Ohio State Board of Education.
Child Labor Laws in Ohio For Minors 16 and 17 Years Old
Jobs in which 16 and 17 year olds may work are not specifically outlined by the State of Ohio. However, they must have a work permit prior to beginning employment. They are prohibited from working in establishments which sell or serve alcohol for consumption.
They are also prohibited from working in the following Hazardous Occupations:
- Slaughtering/Meat Packing
- Demolition
- Bakery Jobs Utilizing Power-Driven Machines
- Manufacturing Brick, Cement, or Kindred Materials
- Chemical Manufacturing
- Manufacturing or Storage of Explosives
- Jobs Involving Radioactive Substances/Materials
- Operating Cranes or Other Power-Driven Hoisting Machines
- Power-Driven Paper Processing Machines
- Excavations
- Metal-Forming/Shearing Jobs
- Use of Power-Driven Saws
- Use of Power-Driven Wood Working Machines
- Coal Mining
- Logging and Sawmilling
- Operating Motor Vehicles
- Maritime Positions or Offshore Jobs
- Railroad Jobs
- Roofing
Ohio Child Labor Law details the restrictions for this age group as follows:
When public school is in session:
- No working during school hours
- No more than three hours on school days
- A maximum of eight hours on non-school days
- A maximum of 18 hours per week
- No earlier than 7am or later than 8pm or after 11pm Sunday through Thursday
When public school is not in session:
- No limit on starting or ending time
- No limit on hours per day or per week
No schedule can begin a workday before 6am if the employee worked before 8pm the previous night.