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Shop Safety for Teens

Working in the farm shop is a good way to learn skills. It is also a place where young people get hurt when they are rushed, unsupervised or handed jobs beyond their training.

Why are teens a special case?

Young people are still learning to judge risk, and they may not want to look unsure in front of family or coworkers. They also tend to be eager to help. That combination leads to taking on jobs without enough training or saying nothing when something feels off.

If you are a teen reading this, you always have the right to ask a question, ask for help or say no to a job that scares you. If you are an adult, make that easy.

Each farm is different, so write down the rules for your own shop and review them with every teen at the start of each season.

What are the youth work rules?

The U.S. Department of Labor sets rules on hazardous work for minors, and there are special provisions for farms. They depend on age, the job and whether the work is for a family farm or a hired position. Rules differ by state as well.

This article does not state specific ages or exceptions. Confirm what applies with the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division and your state labor agency.

Even with an exemption, training and supervision remain good practice. A rule that allows a task does not mean a particular young person is ready for it.

How should training work?

Show, explain, watch, then let the teen practice with you nearby. Start with simple tasks and add harder ones when they have shown that they are ready, not just when you are busy. Use the equipment manual as the training guide and read it together.

Programs such as 4-H, FFA and the Progressive Agriculture Foundation offer youth safety training. Ask your ag teacher, extension office or local safety day organizer.

Let teens teach a task back to you before they do it alone. Explaining it shows whether they understand the hazards.

• Explain the hazards and the reason for each rule.
• Supervise until you are confident.
• Teach how to shut down and when to ask.
• Review after each new task.

What equipment should be off limits?

Some equipment and tasks carry a high risk of serious injury and may be restricted by law or by the maker's instructions. Examples include powered saws, grinders, welders and anything with exposed moving parts. Check the manual and official rules before assigning any task.

Tell teens plainly which tools are off limits and why. Never let a teen decide alone that they are ready.

Make sure there is always an adult nearby who can hear or see what is going on and who can shut off power and call for help.

What does personal protective gear and clothing look like?

Protective gear is only as good as its use. The manual and official guidance describe what is suitable for a task. Make sure gear fits a teen's body, since adult sizes may not.

Clothing, hair and jewelry should not be able to catch in moving parts, and footwear should suit the floor and the work.

Replace worn gear and let teens help choose it, since gear that is comfortable gets worn.

How do we handle fatigue and distractions?

Teens often work after school or in a busy season when they are tired. Phones, earbuds and conversation take attention. Make rules about when and how devices may be used in the shop, and let teens stop when they are tired.

Heat, hunger and rushing also raise risk. Plan breaks and water.

Make it normal to admit a mistake. A teen who tells you about a near-miss gives you a chance to fix the cause.

• Agree on phone rules in the shop.
• Plan breaks and water.
• Let teens stop when tired.

What if something goes wrong?

Teach teens to call 911 in an emergency, give the farm address and not to attempt rescue beyond their training. Make sure they know where the first aid kit is, where the exits are and how to shut off power or equipment safely.

If a teen feels stressed or unsafe, listen. In the US, people can call or text 988 for emotional crisis support.

Share this guide with the teen and have a conversation about it, rather than only handing it over.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.