Ages 14 and 15	Ages 16 and 17
Work Hours	Not before 7 a.m. or after  7 p.m. during the school year. Not during school hours. 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. during the summer.	Not before 5 a.m. or after 10 p.m. on school nights. Not before 5 a.m. or after 12:30 a.m. when there is no school the next day.
Maximum Hours When School Is in Session	18 hours a week, but not over: 3 hours a day on school days 8 hours a day Saturday - Sunday and holidays	18 hours a week, but not over: 4 hours a day Monday - Thursday 8 hours a day Friday - Sunday and holidays
Maximum Hours When School is Not in Session	40 hours a week 8 hours a day	40 hours a week 8 hours a day

Are you a working teen?
Protect your health
Know your rights

Should I be working this late or this long?
Child labor laws protect teens from working too long, too late, or too early.

What if I need help?
Talk to your boss about the problem
Talk to your parents or teachers

For health and safety information and advice, call U.C. Berkeley's Labor Occupational Health Program (LOHP) (510)568-8602 (Alameda County)

If necessary contact one of these California government agencies: (your local number can be found in the State Government Pages)
Cal/OSHA (under Industrial Relations Dept.) - to make a health or safety complaint. (510)568-8602 (Alameda County)
Labor Standards Enforcement (under Industrial Relations Dept.) - to make a complaint about wages or work hours.
(415)557-7878
Fair Employment and Housing - to make a complaint about sexual harassment or discrimination
(800)884-1684

You have the Right to speak up
It is illegal for your employer to fire or punish you for reporting a workplace problem.

Could I get Hurt or Sick on the Job?
Every year 70 teens die from work injuries in the United States. Another 64,000 get hurt badly enough that they go to a hospital emergency room.

Here are the stories of three teens:

18-year-old Sylvia caught her hand in an electric cabbage shredder at a fast food restaurant. Her hand is permanently disfigured and she'll never have the full use of it again.
17-year-old Joe lost his life while working as a construction helper. An electric shock killed him when he climbed a metal ladder to hand an electric drill to another worker.
16-year-old Donna was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint at a sandwich shop. She was working alone after 11 p.m.
Why do injuries like these occur? Teens are often injured on the job due to unsafe equipment, stressful conditions, and speed-up. Also, they may not receive adequate safety training and supervision. Teens are much more likely to be injured when they work on jobs they are not allowed to do by law.

What Are My Rights on the Job?
By law, your employer must provide:

A safe and healthful workplace.
Training about health and safety, including information on chemicals that could be harmful to your health.
Protective clothing and equipment
Payment for medical care if you get hurt or sick because of your job. You may also be entitled to lost wages.
At least the minimum wage, now $5.00 an hour increasing to $5.15 in September, 1997, and $5.75 starting march, 1998. In some cases, employers can pay less than minimum wage during your first three months, if you are under 18. Call toll-free 1-888-275-9243 for more information.
You also have a right to:

Report safety problems to Cal/OSHA.
Work without racial or sexual harassment.
Refuse to work if the job is immediately dangerous to your life or health.
Join or organize a union.
What Hazards Should I Watch Out For?

Type of work Examples of Hazards
Janitor / Clean-up Toxic chemicals in cleaning products
Blood in discarded needles

Food Service Slippery Floors
Hot cooking equipment
Sharp objects

Retail / Sales Violent crimes
Heavy lifting

Office / Clerical Stress
Harassment
Poor computer workstation design

Is it OK to do any kind of work?
NO! There are laws that protect teens from doing dangerous work.
In California no worker under 18 may:

Drive a motor vehicle or forklift on the job
Use powered equipment like a circular saw, box crusher, meat slicer, or bakery machine
Work in wrecking, demolition, excavation, or roofing
Work in Logging or a sawmill
Handle, serve, or sell alcoholic beverages
Work where there is exposure to radiation
Also, no one 14 or 15 years old may:

Do baking or cooking on the job (except at a serving counter)
Work in dry cleaning or a commercial laundry
Work on a ladder or scaffold
Do building, construction, or manufacturing work
Load or unload a truck, railroad car, or conveyor

Are There Other Things I Can't Do?
YES!
There are many other restrictions regarding the type of work you can and cannot do.

If you are under 14, there are even stricter laws to protect your health and safety.

Check with your school counselor or job placement coordinator to make sure the job you are doing is allowed.

Do I Need A Work Permit?
YES!
If you are under 18 and plan to work, you must get a permit from your school (unless you have graduated).

What Are My Safety Responsibilities on the Job?
To work safely, you should:

Follow all safety rules and instructions
Use safety equipment and protective clothing when needed
Look out for co-workers
Keep work areas clean and neat
Know what to do in an emergency
Report any health and safety hazard to your supervisor