Wisconsin Child Labor in Agriculture & Farming
Child labor laws on Wisconsin and Federal levels have special provisions that apply to minors working in the agricultural industry, including working as farm hands, harvesting fruit or vegetables, etc. In many states, agricultural child labor laws focus on safety and tend to be less restrictive in terms of working hours than general child labor regulations.
In most cases, agricultural child labor laws do not apply to children working on their family's farm. Many traditionally agricultural states have less restrictive child labor laws in this area.
Wisconsin Agricultural Child Labor Age Restrictions
According to Wisconsin state law, the minimum age at which a minor may work in agriculture during school hours is 18. The minimum age at which a minor may work in agriculture outside of school hours is 12.Minor Employment Certificate Requirements in Wisconsin
No employment certificate is required for minors working in agriculture under Wisconsin laws. No age certification is required for minors working in agriculture under Wisconsin laws.Wisconsin Agricultural Child Labor Restrictions on Working Hours
Maximum Working Hours for Minors Under 16
Up to 8 hours per day and 40 per week may be worked during a non-school period. 3 hours per day and 18 per week may be worked during a school day or week.
Minors ages 14 through 17 may be employed outside of school hours in excess of these permitted weekly hours during peak periods. Overtime pay (time and one-half regular rate of pay) must be paid after 50 hours per week.
Wisconsin specifies the following as the maximum days per week in which a minor under 16 can perform agricultural work: 6
Nightwork Regulations for Minors Under 16
Nightwork is prohibited for minors under age 16 during the following time windows:
For ages 12 and 13 years, 8 p.m. (9:30 p.m. if not preceding a school day) to 7 a.m. (5 a.m. if farming).
For ages 14 and 15 years, 8 p.m. (11 p.m. if not preceding a school day) to 7 a.m. (5 a.m. if farming).
For ages 16 and 17 years, during school wee
Prohibited Hazardous Agricultural Occupations for Minors
For agricultural workers 16 and younger, all Federal hazardous occupations apply. Wisconsin also considers the following to be hazardous occupations: Operating or assisting in the operation of machinery, including, but not limited to, farm type tractors and other self-propelled vehicles.
An exemption exists for those minors who are trained under either the 4-H federal extension service or the U.S. office of education vocational agriculture training programs, who may work on equipment permitted by their certificate of training.
Other Wisconsin Child Labor Laws
In addition to laws specifically regulating minors employed in the agricultural industry, Wisconsin law has a variety of regulations that cover child labor in general. To learn more, see Wisconsin child labor laws.
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