South Dakota Child Labor Laws

The early history of South Dakota shows most of the land being used for farms, primarily owned by families with children of those families being the primary workers. The arrival of the railroads led to agriculture becoming a major industry. Early child labor laws in South Dakota made provisions for the employment of minors on farms.

Child Labor Laws in South Dakota For Minors Under 14

South Dakota Child Labor Law is administered by the Department of Labor and Regulation and states that minors younger than 14 years old are prohibited from working to protect their life, health, and morals. A few exceptions exist, however. Babysitting, newspaper delivery, snow shoveling, yard work, and employment in television, film, radio, and theater are permitted under the age of 14.

They may not work after 7pm or during school hours, however. Youth 10 and 11 may work on a farm outside school hours to hand harvest crops. Those 12 and 13 may work on any farm with parental permission. Children of any age may work on a farm owned by a parent.

Child Labor Laws in South Dakota For Minors 14 and 15 Years Old

There are specific jobs in which minors 14 and 15 may work, including, office work, grocery, retail associate positions, restaurant staff, movie theater occupations, detasseling hybrid corn seed during harvest season, and pumping and dispensing gasoline, oil, and diesel fuel at service stations.

They may not work in establishments which serve or sell alcohol for consumption.

Fourteen and 15 year olds may work on farms outside school hours with the exception of certain hazardous jobs, including:

Operating a tractor over 20HP

Operating any harvesting, hay cutting equipment, or feed grinders
Working near bulls, boars, stud horses, sows with suckling pigs, or cows with newborn calves
Working in grain storage bins, silos within two weeks after silage has been added, or manure pits

Applying agricultural chemicals, anhydrous ammonia, or handling or using a blasting agent

Minors in this age group are exempt from this restriction on a farm or ranch operated or owned by their parents or as part of vocational agricultural program.

There is a Hazardous Occupations list below from which all minors are restricted.

South Dakota Child Labor Law details restrictions for this age group as follows:

When public school is in session:

No working during school hours unless it is part of a work experience or career education program

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 10pm on school nights

When public school is not in session:

No more than eight hours per day

A maximum of 40 hours per week

No earlier than 7am or later than 9pm between June 1 and Labor Day

Child Labor Laws in South Dakota For Minors 16 and 17 Years Old

Minors 16 and 17 years of age may work in a variety of jobs. They may not work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption.

All minors under the age of 18 are prohibited from working in the following Hazardous Occupations as outlined by the State:

Mining, including Coal
Slaughtering/Meat Packing

Manufacturing Brick/Tile Products
Work in Logging/Saw Milling
Work with Power-Driven Machinery

Excavation
Roofing
Wrecking/Demolition

Exposure to Radioactive Substances
Work with Explosives

South Dakota Child Labor Law outlines the restrictions for this age group as follows: