Hiring Teens?
Legal and Safety Information for Employers
Each year 160,000 teens under 18 are hurt at work. Teens are more vulnerable because they are new to work, may not get proper safety training, and are less likely to speak up or ask questions about working conditions.
Employers are often unaware of child labor regulations, disregard the laws or fail to incorporate safety as a part of workplace culture.
- All employees under 18 must have valid work permits (these are typically issued by school district offices or other agencies designated by the district).
- All employees – even young workers, are covered by workers compensation.
- Young workers must receive the minimum wage, which is set at $16.90 as of January 1, 2026. To learn the current minimum wage, please visit the link here: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/minimum_wage.htm
Youth have the power to raise awareness and push for change.
Ishaan Kang, High School Student,
2025 YWLA Participant
Create and Maintain an Injury and Illness Prevention Plan
In California, employers are required to create and maintain an Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP), which is a plan that specifies how the employer will protect workers against hazards. The IIPP is the most commonly cited Cal OSHA violation, as many employers overlook this requirement. Visit the QR code to attend a training on the IIPP.
Train Supervisors in Safe Practices
Make sure frontline supervisors and those who give work assignments to teens know the law. Encourage them to model safe behavior.
What Work Does the Law Prohibit Teens From Doing?
The lists below give the major restrictions. There are other restrictions depending on the industry and the worker’s age. Also, there are limited exemptions for youth under 18 who are in apprenticeship and student-learner programs. If a teen is part of a work experience program, these regulations may vary.
Go to www.dir.ca.gov/DLSE and click on “child labor” for more information.
What work is illegal for teens?
In California, workers under 18 are not allowed to:
- Operate, clean or repair power-driven machinery:
- meat slicers
- bakery machines (including dough mixers)
- box crushers/compactors
- woodworking machines
- punches
- hoists
- forklifts
- circular saws
- hand saws
- guillotine shears
- Drive anything with a motor on public streets as part of the job, or work as an outside helper on a motor vehicle. (17-year-olds may drive, but only in very limited circumstances that the law allows.)
- Handle, serve, or sell alcoholic beverages
- Be exposed to radioactive substances or ionizing radiation
- Mix, load, or apply Category I pesticides
- Work in any of the following industries:
- wrecking or demolition
- excavation
- logging or sawmills
- roofing or work that involves going on or near the roof
- manufacturing brick or tile
- manufacturing or storage of explosives
- mining
- meat packing or processing
In California, workers under 16 are not allowed to:
- Work in building or construction
- Work in manufacturing or food processing
- Bake or cook (except on electric or gas grills that do not have open flames, or with deep fat fryers that automatically lower and raise the baskets)
- Go from house to house to sell things or do “sign-waving” (unless they are directly in front of the the place where they work)
- Work in dry cleaning or commercial 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-driven lawn mowers
What hours can I work?
Because teens are encouraged to focus on school, there are child labor laws to protect teens from working too late or too long.
Legal Work Hours for Teens in California
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Ages 14-15 |
Ages 16-17 |
|---|---|---|
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When school is in session: |
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When school is not in session (June 1 to Labor Day): |
Allowed to work between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Allowed to work up to 40 hours per week and up to eight hours per day. |
Allowed to work up to 40 hours per week and up to eight hours per day. |
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The most hours you can work when school is not in session |
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48 hours a week
(There are exceptions for teens in a work experience program.) |
Here are some tips to create a safe working environment:
- Prioritize safety above efficiency.
- Make sure that anyone under 18 applies for work permits before beginning a new job and that the rules on the work permit are followed
- Give teens clear instructions for each task, especially unfamiliar ones.
- Provide hands-on training on the correct use of equipment.
- Show them what safety precautions to take.
- Encourage teens to ask questions. Observe teens while they work, and correct any mistakes. Retrain them regularly.
- Encourage teens to let you know if there’s a problem or directions are unclear. Make sure teens feel safe to speak up if they see something that might be unsafe.
- Prepare teens for emergencies—accidents, fires, violent situations, etc.
- Maintain a regular supply of personal protective equipment when needed—goggles, safety shoes, masks, hard hats, gloves, etc and make sure that. Be sure that teens know how to use it.
Where to get health and safety information and advice
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Topic Area |
Contact |
|---|---|
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For general health & safety information and advice: |
UC Berkeley Labor Occupational Health Program |
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To make a health or safety complaint: | |
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To make a complaint about wages or work hours: |
California Labor Commissioner’s Office www.dir.ca.gov/DLSE (415) 703-5300 |
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To make a complaint about sexual harassment or discriminiation: |
California Fair Employment and Housing www.dfeh.ca.gov (800) 884-1684 |
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For information about benefits or injured workers: |
California Workers’ Compensation Information and Assistance Unit www.dir.ca.gov/DWC (800) 736-7401 |
This fact sheet was created with funding from the Teaching Occupational Safety and Health contract, California Department of Education.
