Because operating our equipment safely is a top priority at SP, it is important that we help spread the word on the latest labor laws pertinent to our industry.
The US Department of Labor has published an important child labor provision regarding the operation of waste equipment by persons under the age of 18. The new law prohibits minors less than 18 years of age from loading, operating, and unloading power-driven paper processing machines, including all balers and compactors, guillotine paper cutters or shears, platen printing presses, and envelope die-cutting presses. There are limited exceptions that allow 16 and 17 year olds to load, but not operate or unload certain scrap paper balers and paper box compactors if the following requirements are met:1. The equipment meets one of the following the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards:
- ANSI Standard Z245.5-1990
- ANSI Standard Z245.2-1992
- ANSI Standard Z245.5-1997
- ANSI Standard Z245.2-1997
- ANSI Standard Z245.5-2004
- ANSI Standard Z245.2-2004
- ANSI Standard Z245.5-2008
- ANSI Standard Z245.2-2008
2. The equipment contains a poster or notice that:
- Identifies the specific ANSI standard that the equipment meets
- States that 16- and 17-year-olds may only load the equipment
- States that no one under 18 years old may operate or unload the equipment
4. The on/off switch must be maintained in the off position when the equipment is not in operation.
5. The equipment cannot be operated while it is being loaded.
For more information, visit the Department of Labor website at http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs57.htm
