Utah Child Labor Laws
The history of Utah reflects religious conflict in the 1800’s and the tendency for many citizens to show “hostility toward book learning.” Public secondary education did not begin until around 1890, leaving minors to quit school and go to work. Early child labor laws were initiated to address this situation.
Child Labor Laws in Utah For Minors Under 14
Utah Child Labor Laws are administered by the Utah State Labor Commission and states that minors under the age of 14 are not allowed to work, with a few exceptions, in order to maintain reasonable safeguards for their health, safety, and education. Those under 14 may work in newspaper delivery, babysitting, and basic lawn care.
Child Labor Laws in Utah For Minors 14 and 15 Years Old
Minors 14 and 15 years old may work in certain jobs with no work permit required. They may take employment in areas including:
- Retail stores
- Restaurants
- Fast food
- Service stations dispensing gas or oil and handwashing or polishing
- Lawn care
- Janitorial jobs
- Tutoring, singing, acting, or playing an instrument
- Running errands or delivery work by foot, bicycle, or public transportation
- Yard work not using power-driven mowers, cutters, trimmers, or similar equipment
- Kitchen work including reheating food, washing dishes, and limited cooking
- Loading or unloading objects at worksites, such as rakes, handheld tools, and shovels
- Lifeguard duties at swimming pools and water amusement parks
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 Hazardous Occupations listed below, unless it is a part of an educational training program.
Utah Child Labor Law outlines 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 7pm
- No more than four days per week
- Must have a 30 meal minute break no later than five hours after the shift begins
- Must have a 10 minute rest break for every three hours worked
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
- Must have a 30 minute break no later than five hours after the shift begins
- Must have a 10 minute rest break for every three hours worked
Child Labor Laws in Utah For Minors 16 and 17 Years Old
Minors 16 and 17 years old may work in a variety of jobs with no work permit required.
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, unless it is a part of an educational training program, as outlined by the State:
- Manufacturing or Storing Explosives or Explosive Components
- Motor Vehicle Drivers or Helpers
- Coal Mining
- Saw Mills or other Logging Operations
- Exposure to Radioactive Substances or Ionizing Radiation
- Operation of Power-Driven Hoisting Apparatus
- Metal Working Apparatus
- Meat Processing
- Power-Driven Bakery Machines
- Manufacturing of Brick, Tile, and Clay Products
- Operation of Band Saws, Circular Saws, or Guillotine Shears
- Roofing Operations
- Excavating Operations
- Wrecking, Demolishing, and Shipbuilding
Utah Child Labor Law outlines the restrictions for this age group as follows:
When public school is in session:
- No time or hours restrictions
- Must have a 30 meal minute break no later than five hours after the shift begins
- Must have a 10 minute rest break for every three hours worked
When public school is not in session:
- No time or hours restrictions
- Must have a 30 minute break no later than five hours after the shift begins
- Must have a 10 minute rest break for every three hours worked
Minors 16 and 17 years old who have a high school diploma, a school release certificate, are legally married, or head of a household are exempt from these restrictions.
