Gov. Sam Brownback and other Kansas officials say proposed rules from the federal government would limit youngsters’ farm work too much.
Brownback and Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt have sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor, protesting proposed changes in regulations for young farm laborers. The state’s secretaries of agriculture, labor and commerce sent their own statement, asking the federal agency to revise its plans.
As examples, Brownback and Schmidt say the rules are too strict in limiting the ability of 14- and 15-year-olds to operate tractors and other equipment.
A department spokeswoman says the agency will carefully consider all comments. But in summarizing its proposed rules, the department has said it is trying to prevent injuries and deaths.
Original Story
Agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries, with an increased risk of both fatal and non-fatal injuries. And it’s one of the most hazardous jobs for youth.
The U.S. Department of Labor is proposing new rules for young people employed and working on the farm.
Ellis County KSU Agriculture Extension Agent Stacy Campbell says there is an exemption for children working on their parents’ farm. But many Kansas farms are operated by two or more generations.
The revisions, the first since 1970, would impact the Fair Labor Standards Act, which bars young workers from certain tasks, and are intended to bring restrictions on young agricultural workers more in line with those that already exist for young people working in other industries.
Specifically, the new rules would prohibit farm workers under age 16 from participating in the cultivation and harvesting. And it would prohibit youth in both agricultural and non-agricultural employment from using electronic, including communication, devices while operating power-driven equipment.
There is also a new non-agricultural hazardous occupations order proposed that would prevent minors under 18 from being employed in the storing, marketing and transporting of farm product raw materials. Prohibited places of employment would include country grain elevators, grain bins, silos, feedlots, stockyards, livestock exchanges and livestock auctions.
The proposal also would prohibit farm workers under 16 from operating almost all power-driven equipment.
The public comment period ends December 1.
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