Deep Frying At 15: Is It Safe?

Whether a 15-year-old can use a deep fryer depends on their place of residence and work. In the United States, federal law sets a general minimum working age of 14 for non-agricultural employment, with restrictions on the number of hours worked by minors under 16. Each state also has its own laws regarding the employment of minors, which may overlap with federal law. In California, for example, 14 and 15-year-olds are permitted to perform cooking duties at snack bars or cafeteria counters if the cooking is done in front of customers and is not their only duty. Additionally, they are allowed to operate a French fryer at a fast-food restaurant if it is in plain view. However, to work as a cook in California, a minor must be at least 16. Similar regulations exist in Arizona, where individuals under 16 cannot work more than three hours on a school day and are restricted from working before 6:00 a.m. or after 9:30 p.m. when school is in session. Therefore, the legality of a 15-year-old using a deep fryer can vary depending on the specific state and workplace regulations.

In the US, 15-year-olds can work in food preparation but not use deep fryers without an automatic basket

In the United States, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes both hours and occupational standards for young workers. The FLSA's child labour provisions were enacted to ensure that when young people work, their health, well-being, and educational opportunities are not jeopardized.

In the US, 14 and 15-year-olds can be employed in food preparation but only in a limited capacity. They are allowed to perform cooking duties that involve the use of electric or gas grilles (without an open flame) and deep-fat fryers equipped with automatic baskets that lower and raise food into and out of the oil or grease. This means that a 15-year-old can use a deep fryer, but only if it has an automatic basket.

There are also restrictions on the types of baking activities this age group can perform. They are prohibited from performing any part of the baking process, including weighing and mixing ingredients, operating ovens, removing items from ovens, and finishing baked products. Additionally, 14 and 15-year-olds are not permitted to operate, set up, tend, adjust, clean, oil, or repair power-driven food slicers, grinders, choppers, mixers, and cutters.

It's important to note that these regulations are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of young workers. Employers who violate these child labour provisions may face penalties and fines.

A 15-year-old suffered burns from using a deep fryer at McDonald's, leading to fines for the franchisee

In June 2022, a 15-year-old McDonald's worker in Tennessee suffered burns from hot oil while using a deep fryer. The Department of Labor (DOL) found that the restaurant had illegally allowed the minor to manually remove french fries from the fryer. Child labor laws strictly regulate the tasks that 14 and 15-year-olds can perform, including a ban on activities related to baking and heavy restrictions on cooking tasks. While they can be employed in food preparation, they are prohibited from using deep fryers without an automatic basket for lowering and raising the food into and out of the oil.

The DOL assessed a $3,258 civil penalty on Faris Enterprises, the franchisee operating the McDonald's location in Morristown, Tennessee. This fine was in response to the child labor violation, which was not an isolated incident. Investigators from the Wage and Hour Division discovered that the same location had permitted another minor to use a deep fryer in a similar manner, resulting in burns.

In addition to the child labor violation, Faris Enterprises was also found to have violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by deducting pay from two workers to account for uniforms and cash register shortages. These deductions pushed the workers' pay below the required overtime premium of one-and-a-half times their regular wage for hours worked beyond forty in a workweek. The company had previously violated minimum wage and overtime laws and was fined $882 for these infractions.

Lisa Kelly, the Wage and Hour Division District Director in Nashville, expressed concern about the "alarming increase" in child labor violations since 2018. Reid Maki, a director of child labor advocacy, added that employers in tight labor markets sometimes turn to minors as they tend to be more docile and cheaper. Despite efforts by labor regulators to crack down on child labor violations, lawmakers in several states are proposing legislation to ease restrictions and allow more minors to enter the workforce.

This incident highlights the importance of adhering to child labor laws and ensuring the safety and well-being of young workers. While minors aged 14 and 15 can be employed in food preparation, certain tasks, such as operating deep fryers without automatic baskets, are prohibited due to the potential hazards involved.

A Wendy's franchisee was fined for allowing 15-year-olds to use manual deep fryers and work excessive hours

In the United States, 15-year-olds are allowed to work in food preparation but are restricted to performing only limited cooking tasks. Federal labor laws state that 14 and 15-year-olds are permitted to operate deep fryers, but only if the baskets are raised and lowered automatically.

In light of this, a Wendy's franchisee was fined $15,449 for violating child labor laws by allowing 15-year-old workers to use manual deep fryers and work excessive hours. The franchisee, Philly LIV Bacon LLC, operated five Wendy's restaurants in Pennsylvania where these violations occurred. Investigators from the Wage and Hour Division found that, in addition to using manual deep fryers, the franchisee allowed minors to work more than 3 hours on school days, over 8 hours on non-school days, and more than 18 hours during a school week. Furthermore, Philly LIV Bacon LLC failed to maintain accurate records.

As a result of the investigation, Philly LIV Bacon LLC has agreed to take several corrective actions to ensure compliance with federal child labor laws across all 83 of their Wendy's locations in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. These actions include training supervisors on child labor requirements, providing child labor documents to minors, establishing an anonymous reporting system for child labor violations, and implementing a color-coded name tag system to easily identify workers under 16. They will also post information about child labor laws and hazardous equipment in visible locations.

Alfonso Gristina, the Wage and Hour Division District Director, emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety and education of young workers, stating that the actions taken by Philly LIV Bacon LLC will help ensure minors gain valuable work experience without compromising their well-being.

Child labor laws were violated by a Little Caesars franchisee, with 15-year-olds using ovens

In the United States, there are both state and federal laws that protect workers under the age of 18 from being exposed to hazards and working unreasonable shifts. These laws include the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which outlines specific child labor provisions, including restrictions on the number of hours that children under 18 can work per day and what types of jobs they can do. The FLSA also establishes a minimum wage, overtime pay, and record-keeping for part- and full-time child laborers.

When it comes to the specific case of a Little Caesars franchisee allowing 15-year-olds to use ovens, it is important to note that federal law prohibits minors under 18 from operating certain types of ovens. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 14 and 15-year-olds are prohibited from performing any baking activities and are restricted to only limited cooking tasks. They are not allowed to operate ovens, including convection ovens, toaster ovens, pizza ovens, automatic feeding ovens, and microwave ovens (except for warming food). Therefore, it is evident that the Little Caesars franchisee violated child labor laws by allowing 15-year-olds to use ovens.

To ensure compliance with child labor laws, it is crucial for employers to understand the regulations and restrictions applicable to minor workers. In this case, the franchisee should have been aware of the restrictions on the types of cooking equipment that 15-year-olds are permitted to use. By violating these laws, the franchisee not only put the minors at risk but also exposed themselves to potential legal consequences.

It is important to note that child labor laws can vary from state to state, and employers must comply with both federal and state regulations. In cases where there is a discrepancy between the two, the law providing greater protection to the child should be followed. Additionally, some states may require work permits or age certificates for minor employees, which further emphasize the importance of adhering to age-appropriate work assignments.

To address the violation of child labor laws by the Little Caesars franchisee, affected individuals or those with knowledge of the situation can file a complaint with the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. These complaints are kept completely confidential, and federal law prevents employers from retaliating against those who report violations or cooperate with investigations. By taking action and reporting the violation, individuals can help ensure that minors are protected from hazardous work and that employers are held accountable for their actions.

A Kroger store was fined for allowing minors to perform hazardous work

In the United States, federal child labor provisions are in place to ensure that when young people work, their health, well-being, and educational opportunities are not jeopardized. These laws prohibit minors under the age of 18 from performing hazardous work, such as operating certain types of machinery.

In May 2022, it was revealed that a Kroger store in Southaven, Mississippi, had violated these child labor laws. The Department of Labor (DOL) found that the store allowed three workers aged 16 and 17 to load a trash compactor with the keys in the machine, enabling its operation. This act is prohibited for minors under the age of 18. Additionally, the store allowed a 15-year-old employee to work more than three hours on a school day and over 18 hours during a school week, exceeding the federal child labor standards.

As a result of these infractions, the DOL fined the Kroger store $13,673 in civil penalties. This incident highlighted the importance of employers being aware of child labor regulations, especially as the school year ends and more minors seek employment. Audrey Hall, a representative of the DOL, emphasized that child labor laws are designed to protect young workers, ensuring they gain valuable work experience while maintaining their safety and education.

In response to the violation, a Kroger spokesperson stated that the incident was isolated to one location and that immediate corrective actions were taken. They affirmed that the fine had been paid and that processes had been reaffirmed to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

It is important to note that while minors under 16 are restricted from certain cooking duties, 14 and 15-year-olds can perform limited cooking tasks, such as using electric or gas grills without an open flame and specific types of deep fat fryers with automatic basket-lowering and raising devices. However, they are prohibited from cooking with equipment like NEICO broilers, high-speed ovens, fryolators, and rotisseries.

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