State says some jobs off-limits for teens

AUGUSTA – The state has new guidelines for workers under the age of 18 and some jobs are now off-limits, including working in businesses that provide nude entertainment and jobs that require direct contact with pesticides.

The state Labor Department has updated Maine child labor laws to conform with federal standards and add some restrictions not covered by federal law.

“Today’s workplaces have new and different hazards, which these rules address,” said Labor Commissioner Valerie Landry.

Between 150 and 200 workers under 18 years old lose time from work injuries every year, and nearly half of the injuries involve food service and retail workers in the service industry, Landry said.

“Young workers are especially vulnerable to injury. We want to be sure that employers along with young workers and their parents are aware of the need for vigilance when it comes to safety,” the commissioner added.

The new rules were announced as students got ready to take on summer jobs and Gov. Angus King prepared to introduce a new “Safeteen” program to help young workers stay safe and healthy while they work.

A record number of Maine teen-agers are expected to be working this summer, said King, who plans a news conference Tuesday to announce a program that will offer materials, training tips and a Web site to help employers provide safe job sites for young workers.

The newly announced rules applying to young workers identify hazardous occupations in which minors under 18 may not be employed. They include warehousing and mining, jobs that have long been off-limits under federal law.

As of mid-May, Maine also bars young workers from several occupations not prohibited by federal child labor laws. They include working alone in cash-based businesses, such as convenience stores. Also barred are working in direct contact with pesticides, working in places having nude entertainment and doing gas or electric welding, brazing or cutting.

Also, 16- and 17-year-olds may only perform certain specified tasks at fire scenes and other emergency situations, while younger workers are barred from working at all in such situations, whether the work is paid or voluntary.

Driving for work, which the Labor Department identifies as one of the most dangerous jobs for young workers, is now prohibited for youths under 18. But child labor laws do not prohibit minors from driving to or from their jobs.

Other provisions in state labor laws set minimum ages for employment in certain industries and limit the hours minors may work.

The King administration, meanwhile, is offering help to employers so they know how to keep their work sites safe for young workers.

The Safeteen kit to be unveiled Tuesday by King will include brochures, posters, training activities and a wallet card as part of an effort to help Maine employers and teen workers understand their responsibilities for workplace safety.