Employers Must Follow Rules to Protect Young Workers
Washington labor officials remind businesses of safety requirements and restricted duties for minors.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- May 27, 2026
Workplace safety officials are urging employers to brush up on child labor laws as younger employees enter the workforce.
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries issued a reminder this month emphasizing that employers are legally responsible for protecting young workers from on-the-job injuries and illnesses. Because of a general lack of experience, inadequate training and a hesitancy to voice concerns, young workers face a significantly higher risk of workplace injuries compared to their older counterparts.
To legally employ minors, businesses must secure a minor work permit endorsement on their business license. Employers are also required to maintain a signed parent and school authorization form for every minor on the payroll.
Under the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act, employers must actively inform young workers about potential workplace hazards. Safety training must be provided in a language and vocabulary the employees fully comprehend.
State regulations also strictly ban young workers from performing certain hazardous tasks. Labor officials state that businesses must clearly label any equipment that minors are prohibited from operating.
Additionally, employers must display required workplace posters outlining employee rights, train young staff on what to do if an injury occurs and refrain from retaliating against any worker who exercises their rights.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is assistant editor of OHSOnline.com.