...
Summary of differences between federal and state regulations
The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development administers the child labor laws.
Work permits
All minors 16 and under must have a work permit on file with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Work age
Under age 14
Alaska youth under the age of 14 may work only in the following occupations:
- Newspaper sales and deliver.
- Baby-sitting, handiwork and domestic employment in or about private homes.
- The entertainment industry, with an approved work permit from the Alaska Wage and Hour Administration.
Restrictions for 14 and 15 year olds
Alaska law restricts the following for youth 14 and 15 year olds:
- Occupations in manufacturing, mining or processing, including workrooms or places where goods are manufactured, mined or otherwise processed.
- Occupations involved in operation of power-driven machinery other than office machines.
- Occupations in construction (including demolition and repair) except office work.
- Any work in an establishment that serves alcoholic beverages.
- Public messenger service.
- Occupations in or about canneries, except in office work.
- Work performed in or about boilers, engine rooms or retorts.
- Work involved with maintenance or repair of the establishment’s machines or equipment.
- Occupations that involve working from windowsills, ladders, scaffolds or their substitutes.
- Occupations handling or operation of power-driven food slicers, grinders, choppers, cutters and bakery type mixers.
- Work in freezers, meat coolers, or preparation of meat for sale.
- Loading/unloading to or from trucks, railroad cars or conveyers.
- Occupations in warehouses and storage except office and clerical work.
- Occupations involving use of sharpening tools.
- Occupations in transportation of persons or property except office or sales work.
Work hours
An employee under 18 years of age may not work more than six days in any workweek.
14 and 15 year olds
When school is in session:
- Hours will be limited to a total of nine hours of school attendance plus employment in any one day.
- Work must be performed only between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- Total hours worked may not exceed 23 hours for any workweek.
During school vacations:
- Work must be performed only between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- Total hours worked may not exceed 40 hours for any workweek.
Breaks
An employee under 18 years of age who is scheduled to work six consecutive hours is entitled to a 30-minute break during the workday.
An employee under 18 who works five consecutive hours is entitled to a 30-minute break before continuing to work.
Alcohol
All minors 16 and under must have a work permit on file with the Department. If the employer has a restaurant designation and is licensed to sell alcohol, minors 17 years of age must also have an approved work permit.
Tobacco & pull-tabs
Alaska law restricts access to areas where tobacco and tobacco products are sold. Minors under 19 may not sell tobacco or tobacco products in the course of their employment.
Pull-tabs may not be sold by anyone under the age of 21.
Marijuana & cannabis industry
Alaska law restricts the employment of persons under the age of 21 from working in any and all branches of the cannabis/marijuana industry, including but not limited to planting, cultivating, harvesting, processing, packaging, transporting, or selling.
Summary of Alaska Child Labor Law (Non-Mandatory):
This poster provides employers with a summary of the most current work restrictions for hiring minors. For more information contact the offices listed on the posters.
www.labor.state.ak.us/lss/forms/child-labor-law-summary.pdf
State
Contact
Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Regulations
The Alaska child labor requirements can be found in Alaska Stat. §23.10.325, et seq.
Federal
Contact
The Department of Labor is the sole federal agency that monitors child labor and enforces child labor laws. Enforcement of the Fair Labor Standard Act's child labor provisions is handled by the Wage and Hour Division of the Department’s Employment Standards Administration.
Regulations
U.S. child labor regulations can be found in CFR 29:
Part 570 Child Labor Regulations, Orders and Statements of Interpretation
Part 575 Waiver of Child Labor Provisions for Agricultural Employment of 10 and 11 Year Old Minors In Hand Harvesting of Short Season Crops
Part 579 Child Labor Violations – Civil Money Penalties