Summer is in full-swing and high schoolers everywhere are looking to fill their time until school starts up in the fall. For many, summer can be an opportunity to get a job and earn some extra cash. Unlike adult workers, there are several regulations employers must follow when employing anyone under the age of 18.

Work Permit: Work permits are not required for summer employment. However, employers must still have proof of age and a statement signed by the minor’s parent or guardian consenting to the minor’s employment.

Working Hours: Workers ages 14 to 15 cannot work before 7AM or after 9PM from June 1 to September 1. They may not work more than 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week.

Workers ages 16 to 17 have no restrictions on working hours when school is not in session. However, all minors must have at least one 30-minute break every five hours.

Restrictions on Occupations: There are several prohibited occupations for anyone ages 14 to 17.

• Slaughtering, meat-packing, processing, or rendering
• Manufacturing of brick, tile, or kindred products or chemicals
• Manufacturing or storing explosives
• Exposure to radioactive substances or ionizing radiation
• Operation of: power-driven paper product machines; power-driven bakery machines; metal forming, punching, or shearing machines; wood-working machines; power-driven circular saws, band saws, guillotine shears; woodworking machines; or power-driven and hoisting apparatuses
• Coal mining, mining (other than coal), railroads, roofing, logging, or sawmilling
• Motor vehicle, excavation, maritime, or longshoreman occupations
• Wrecking, demolition, or shipbreaking

Even more occupations are prohibited for workers ages 14 to 15.

• All jobs in manufacturing, mining, processing, public messenger service, transportation, storage, communications, public utilities, constructions, or repair
• Work in freezers/meat coolers or preparation of meats for sale (excluding wrapping, sealing, labeling, weighing, pricing, or stocking)
• Work in boiler or engine rooms or maintenance/repair of machinery
• Outside window washing from window sills, scaffolding, or ladders
• Cooking or baking, or operating, setting up, adjusting, cleaning, oiling, or repairing power-driven food slicers, grinders, food choppers, cutters, or bakery type mixers
• Loading or unloading goods to and from trucks
• All warehouse work (excluding office or clerical positions)
• Work in connection with cars/trucks involving the use of pots, racks, or lifting apparatuses or the inflation of any tire mounted on a rim equipped with a removable retaining ring

This post presents a high-level review of a few considerations Ohio employers need to keep in mind when employing minors during summer months. 

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