The Minimum Age for Hazardous Work is set at 18 years. No person may require or permit a child worker to perform piecework or task work. A child worker may not be employed for more than 8 hours in a day. A child who is not enrolled in school may not work for more than 40 hours in a week while a school-going child may not work more than 40 hours during school holidays and 20 hours during school term. A child may not be employed between 06 p.m. to 06 a.m.
Prohibited work includes deep sea fishing; commercial diving; animal slaughtering; meat processing; logging; work in a bar, shebeen, tavern or pub; rock and stone crushing; working in confined spaces among many others. Underground mining is considered the worst form of child labour. The following types of works are also prohibited for children under 18 years: work requiring respiratory protection equipment; work in an elevated position; lifting of heavy weights; and work in cold, hot and noisy environments.
Source: Regulations on Hazardous Work by Children in South Africa No. 32862
