How old do you have to be to work at a construction site?

Question

Accepted Answer

You have to be at least 16 years old to work on a construction site.However, minors have various restrictions on the number of hours they can work and the types of jobs that they can perform.Each state and company may have additional restrictions or regulations regarding how old someone must be to work on a construction site.

Age and Hour Restrictions under Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA):

Youth under 16 years of age may only perform office or sales work in the construction industry. The federal rules also limit the number of hours and times of day that such youth may be employed.
Youth ages 16 and 17 may work in the construction industry and on construction sites, but there are several tasks or jobs that are too hazardous for them to perform. There are no federal laws that restrict the number of work hours per day or per week. However, several states do restrict the number of hours and times of day that this age group may be employed. Be sure to check with your State Department of Labor.

Within FLSA, seventeen jobs are declared hazardous and are prohibited for youth under

18 and it includes the following:

Driving a motor vehicleOperating power-driven woodworking machines (including drills and nail guns)Operating forklifts, cranes, hoists, or elevatorsOperating power-driven metal forming, punching, and shearing machinesOperating power-driven circular saws, band saws, and guillotine shearsWrecking, demolition, and shipbreaking operationsRoofing operationsExcavation operations

In some cases, if certain conditions are met, 16- and 17-year-old apprentices and student learners may be allowed to perform some of the above prohibited duties.