Child Labor Violations

The safety of young workers has been a priority for the Division since its beginning. The federal government issues a series of Hazardous Occupations Orders (HOs) identifying work that should not be allowed for workers under age 18. The jobs considered hazardous appear in the Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) Title 12, Chapter 25, Sub-chapter 4. The Hawaii rules are based substantially upon "Regulation XXXIII, Relating to Hazardous Occupations for Minors Under Eighteen Years of Age" of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations", so when the federal government makes adjustments, it is important for us to review. On July 13, 2011, the U.S. Dept. of Labor issued a Field Assistance Bulletin that addresses H.O. #7 addressing power-driven hoisting apparatus and can be viewed here. The correlating Hawaii Rule is 12-25-45, HAR.
The federal Bulletin allows the use of discretion in pursuing child labor violations when a 16 or 17 year old operates a hoisting apparatus at a nursing home. Using power driven hoisting equipment is still prohibited, but a 16 or 17 year old may be the junior member of a "team" who works a patient hoisting apparatus. Hawaii takes a similar stance, the 16 or 17 year old may be a helper, but can not operate the hoist.

Prevailing Wage Conference by Feds

The U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (Hawaii Wage Standards Division federal counterpart) is having a FREE Prevailing Wage Conference in Hawaii July 20, and 21, for more information check out this link to the announcement.

If you have (or want) a federal contract you will want to attend this conference. It covers both construction and service related industry information. Space is limited so act quickly.