Farmworkers & Rules

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/08/31/rules-seek-to-improve-safety-for-child-farmworkers/

Fox News reported that the Department of Labor is seeking to improve the safety of children and young adults working on farms. The new rules that they are proposing, would prevent children under the age of 18 from working in or around grain elevators, feed lots, or other places they see as unsafe.  The regulations that are currently in place have not changed in over 40 years.  Due to the deaths of several children involved with grain elevators, the Labor Department is seeking to change these rules.  The only exception is that the rules would not apply to children whose parents own or operate the farm.

I have to admit that I can see both sides of this story.

On one hand, I see the need to change and/or add rules because there have been several deaths with children and large equipment.  There is a definite need to ensure the safety of all who work on farms and you definitely do not want to be reckless and unconcerned about the possible dangers.  However, rules like these can be extremely bothersome and overbearing for individuals who are already mature, cautious, and responsible.  I don't live on a huge farm by any means, but I have been around hobby farming enough to know that there are some things that seem unsafe to individuals who have never been around certain things before. 

I guess the one plus that I could see in the proposal is that the rules would not apply to the children whose parents own or operate the farm.  So, like I said, I can see both sides of this issue.