Angie Craig: “I introduce the Balers and Compactors Safety Standards Modernization Act. This bill would make long-overdue revisions to…”

“I introduce the Balers and Compactors Safety Standards Modernization Act. This bill would make long-overdue revisions to safety standards set by the Department of Labor's Hazardous Occupation Order Number 12 (HO 12). HO 12 is a regulation issued by DOL in 1954 to protect employees who are under 18 years of age. In brief, it specifically prohibits minors from operating more than a dozen different types of equipment in the workplace. I certainly agree with the underlying purpose of HO 12, which is that younger workers should not be allowed to operate certain types of machinery when doing so would place them in harm's way. Specifically, this Safety Standards Modernization Act would address problems caused by DOL's interpretation and enforcement of HO 12, with respect to cardboard balers and compactors that commonly are used in supermarkets, grocery stores, and other retail establishments, for preparing and bundling cardboard and paper materials for recycling purposes. DOL's current interpretation of HO 12 goes so far as to prohibit minors from placing, tossing, or loading cardboard or paper materials into a baler or compactor.”