An Aggressive Advocate, When You Need It Most.

Department of Labor to expand jobs open to young workers

Published on Sep 4, 2018 at 6:41 pm in Firm News, workers' compensation.

The Fair Labor Standards Act prohibits workers who are 16 or 17 years old from doing certain jobs in Pennsylvania or anywhere else in the country. It allows exemptions for student learners and apprentices in some cases, but these young workers are generally not allowed to work in industries like coal mining and forest fire fighting. The Department of Labor, though, has stated that it plans to propose rulemaking that would expand the industries open to young workers.

A number of Democrats in the House of Representatives have expressed concerns about the DOL proposal. Forty-seven lawmakers signed a letter that was sent on Aug. 1 to the Secretary of Labor. They cited a study published by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health that showed a decline in workplace fatalities over the last 18 years for people aged 15 to 17. According to the letter, weakened protections for younger workers could reverse the progress represented by lowered fatalities and jeopardize safety and health in the workplace. They ask questions of the DOL regarding the scientific basis of the policy move.

Another representative wrote his own separate letter, noting that there are 17 Hazardous Occupations Orders that restrict employment of young workers. Because of these protections, he says, work-related deaths for teenagers dropped from 72.5 a year between 1999 and 2000 to 27 a year between 2015 and 2016.

Generally speaking, employers in Pennsylvania have a responsibility to provide employees with a safe environment in which to work. People who are injured at work may be entitled to compensation for their injuries through the workers’ compensation system. An attorney may be able to help an injured person draft and file the documents necessary to state a claim or communicate with government officials on the person’s behalf. An attorney might gather evidence in support of the claim and put together a strategy for recovery.

Request Attorney Consultation

Call us or fill out the form below to schedule a confidential case evaluation. We can help you determine if you need a lawyer, if you have a potential case, and if so, what your next step should be.

Legal & Firm News

How To Obtain a Car Accident Report in Pennsylvania

If you don’t know how to obtain a car accident report in Pennsylvania, the information below will provide guidance. A car accident report is often an important piece of evidence you’ll need when filing a claim with your (or another driver’s) insurance company. The following information about how to obtain a car accident report in […]

Read More

What Happens After You Win a Workers’ Compensation Case?

Securing workers’ compensation benefits can be an uphill battle. Many applicants are initially denied, forcing them to go through an appeals process in order to secure the benefits they are rightfully owed. With so much effort going into winning these benefits, few people give much thought to what happens after you win a workers’ compensation […]

Read More

Is Lane Splitting Legal in Pennsylvania?

When you ride along with motorcyclists here in Williamsport or elsewhere in Pennsylvania, how often do you notice them attempting to navigate around other vehicles when traffic congestion exists? You likely notice it quite a bit, which may lead you to wonder if their actions are lawful. While some states allow motorcyclists to split lanes, […]

Read More