NYT Report Uncovers Underage Migrant Workers Working in U.S. Roofing Industry
Children as young as 10 years old are frequently illegally employed by roofing companies.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Dec 18, 2023
A new report reveals roofing companies in the United States commonly hire children to work in the industry, despite federal laws prohibiting anyone under 18 from such dangerous work.
In a recent investigation involving over 100 child roofers in nearly two dozen states, The New York Timesreported that migrant children as young as 10 are increasingly hired to work in the U.S. roofing industry. These children, many of whom arrived unaccompanied at the southern border, engage in physically demanding work such as lifting heavy shingles and working in extreme heat and are often exposed to dangers such as fall hazards that could prove fatal.
The Times reports that nearly 400,000 children have come to the United States since 2021 without their parents. Most of them end up working, with roofing among the top industries waiting to hire them. These young roofers often cross state lines or travel to different job sites to put themselves at risk by performing this hazardous work without the required safety gear.
Although some of these young roofing workers manage to evade more dangerous tasks, laying down shingles on rooftops pays more than twice that of working on the ground. In turn, the roofing industry has grappled with labor shortages and increased demand. So these children, who are eager for a job and willing to work for less to support their families, are easy targets.
While federal labor laws exist to prevent child labor, enforcement is challenging due to the secretive nature of these employment practices. Inspectors struggle with limited resources and manpower, and fines, when imposed, are often minimal. And because such young roofers aren’t supposed to be in the industry, the government doesn’t publish injury and fatality data.
Notably, OSHA recently revealed fall protection is—for the 13th consecutive year—the most frequently cited violation for the fiscal year 2023. This violation and other top concerns for the agency, including ladder safety as well as eye and face protection, are most often associated with the roofing industry, underscoring the need for greater enforcement of regulations.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.