Kentucky child labor laws protect children by outlining where, when and for how long they can work.
I have read that children under the age of 14 cannot be employed. The rules for children 14 – 17 are below. These rules are in effect for children attending school, including being home-schooled. Once a child turns 18, they are considered an adult, and not covered under these regulations.
If a child is 14- 15-years-old, they can work 3 hours per day on a school day, 8 hours a day on a vacation or holiday, and up to 18 hours a week total when school is in session. They may work up to 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week when school is not in session. They are restricted to working from 7am – 7pm, with the hours extended to 9pm in the summer.
16-17-year-old workers may work 6 hours a day on a school day, 8 hours a day on vacation or holiday, and up to 30 hours a week total when school is in session. They may work up to 8 hours a day, 30 hours total when school is not in session. They may work from 6am – 10:30pm during school, and until 1am during non-school periods.
My research shows that children 14-17 are prohibited from working with explosives, radioactive material or use power machinery or woodworking equipment. They may also not work in coal mining, logging, sawmilling, mining, slaughtering, excavation, wrecking, or manufacturing. Child laborers are also not allowed to drive r work with motor vehicles. They may also not work around alcohol, or in pool or billiard rooms.
Limited exemptions are provided for apprentices and student-learners under specified standards.
Minors under the age of 18 are required to take a 30-minute documented lunch break for each 5 hours of continuous work. No period of less than 30 minute will be considered sufficient.
I understand that employers are required to maintain proof of age on file for each minor under 18 years of age. A copy of a birth certificate, a driver’s license or school identification is acceptable.
Employers are required to maintain the names, ages, and addresses, the time of the beginning and ending of each work shift and each meal period. Employers are responsible for posting the Kentucky Child Labor poster including prohibited duties.
