Iowa’s new law removes state prohibition on hazardous child labor, directly contradicting federal law
Previously prohibited hazardous work | Federal standard (and previous Iowa state standard) | Age at which new Iowa law allows hazardous work |
---|---|---|
Laundering using machines with capacity of 10 or more cubic feet or designed to reach internal temperatures over 212 degrees Fahrenheit | Not permitted for 14 or 15-year-olds (29 CFR 570.34) | 14 |
Loading and unloading equipment into motor vehicles including:
|
Prohibited as hazardous if under 16 (29 CFR 570.33(k) and 570.34(k)) | 15, with a waiver from state agency |
Light assembly work | Prohibited as hazardous if under 16 (29 CFR 570.33) | 15, with a waiver from state agency |
Light assembly work in or about facilities manufacturing or storing explosives or articles containing explosive elements | Prohibited as hazardous if under 18 (HO 1) | 16 |
Commercial motor vehicle driver and helper | Prohibited as hazardous if under 18 (HO 2) | 16 |
Previously prohibited hazardous work allowed in new Iowa law if approved as a “work-based learning” or “school or employer-administered, work-related program” at the discretion of state agencies | Federal standard (and previous Iowa state standard) | Age at which new Iowa law allows hazardous work |
Operation of power-driven woodworking machines | Prohibited as hazardous if under 18 (HO 5)* | 16, if approved by state agency |
Operation of elevators and other power-driven hoisting apparatus | Prohibited as hazardous if under 18 (HO 7) | 16, if approved by state agency |
Operation of power-driven metal forming, punching, and shearing machines | Prohibited as hazardous if under 18 (HO 8)* | 16, if approved by state agency |
Operation of power-driven bakery machines | Prohibited as hazardous if under 18 (HO 11) | 16, if approved by state agency |
Operation of power-driven paper products machines (e.g., balers and compactors) | Prohibited as hazardous if under 18 (HO 12)*† | 16, if approved by state agency |
Manufacturing of brick, tile, and related products | Prohibited as hazardous if under 18 (HO 13) | 16, if approved by state agency |
Operation of circular saws, band saws, and guillotine shears | Prohibited as hazardous if under 18 (HO 14)* | 16, if approved by state agency |
Wrecking, demolition, and shipbreaking operations | Prohibited as hazardous if under 18 (HO 15) | 16, if approved by state agency |
Roofing operations | Prohibited as hazardous if under 18 (HO 16)* | 16, if approved by state agency |
Excavation | Prohibited as hazardous if under 18 (HO 17)* | 16, if approved by state agency |
Notes: *Federal law allows 16–17-year-olds to perform certain types of intermittent work in these occupations only when enrolled in a bona fide registered apprenticeship program meeting certain stringent standards: 29 CFR 570.50(b)
†Federal law allows 16–17-year-olds to load (but not operate or unload) balers only if certain specific safety requirements are met: DOL Wage and Hour Division Fact Sheet #57
Source: EPI analysis of state and federal child labor laws.