It's okay for your kids to drive a tractor or operate machinery on your farm, with or without pay. But did you know you'd be breaking the law if they worked on a grandparent's farm?
Children who work under parental supervision on a farm also owned by their parents are exempt from federal child labor laws. However, this exemption does not apply to farms owned by a child's grandparents or other close relatives. In this case, the child must be properly trained to operate the tractor or farm machinery, and be at least 14 years old.
You might want to think again before you send your 13-year-old to bale hay on Grandpa's farm this summer. Find a safer job for your 13-year-old that doesn't violate this law.
This radio public service announcement script was distributed by Iowa State University Extension as part of the Safe Farm Program. Safe Farm promotes health and safety in agriculture. It is funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Iowa State University, and a network of groups that serve Iowa farm workers and their families. Distribution date: June 1993.
Disclaimer and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
