May 8, 2007

US to raise age limit for workers in poultry operations

As part of the Fair Labour Standards Act regulations, the US Department of Labour (DOL) is proposing to raise the age limit of workers in poultry operations.

The new rules would raise the age of workers allowed to work in poultry farms from 16 to 18 years old.

Rules currently prohibit 14- and 15-year-olds from catching and caging poultry but the Department of Labour says violations still occur.

The rule would now be expanded to also prohibit 16- and 17-year-old from working in meat slaughter and processing plants, as well as rendering facilities.

The Department of Labour said it targeted poultry mainly because of "extremely high" rates of disorders because of repeated traumas.

The DOL believes that youths should be kept safe from hazardous occupations.