Employment of minors
When you employ someone who is a minor, i.e. under 18 years of age, special rules apply to working hours and work tasks.
The work of minors is strictly regulated because their level of maturity is different from that of adults and they have more difficulty in assessing risks and consequences. It is therefore particularly important that you, as an employer, carry out a risk assessment and decide what tasks the minor should perform. You should also ensure that there are clear instructions and safety procedures.
The Swedish Work Environment Authority has issued rules on working hours and work tasks.
Introduction
As an employer, you must ensure that the minor receives an introduction that includes information on the work tasks and risks. You must make sure that they have understood the information. The introduction process is particularly important for minors who have no previous work or professional experience.
Information to safety officers and supervisors
You must also inform any safety officer of the tasks the minor will have and appoint a supervisor. The supervisor must be at least 18 years of age and should have at least one year's experience in the tasks concerned and knowledge of risks and protection.
What are minors allowed to work with?
Minors are not allowed to work on tasks involving specific risks. For example, a person under the age of 18 must never work with asbestos, diving, guard work or transporting money and valuables outside the workplace.
Minors are also prohibited from carrying out hazardous tasks alone.
What constitutes hazardous work is set out in Annex 1 to the Regulation itself.
Read more about the rules:
- How children and young people may work – a summary of the Swedish Work Environment Authority's regulations on the working environment of minors (AFS 2012:3) (in Swedish)
- On the working environment of minors – a guide to the provisions AFS 2012:3 (in Swedish)
Working hours
There are special rules for minors' working hours. The working hours must not hinder young people's schooling or ability to get to school. Read about the rules on working hours, daily rest and weekly rest for minors in the brochure and guide above.
Risks in sectors where young people work
When carrying out your risk assessment, it is a good idea to have as much knowledge as possible about the risks. The Swedish Work Environment Authority has given examples of some risks in sectors where many young people work.
The working environment in different sectors, information on risks by sector (in Swedish)
Younger children
As a rule, anyone under the age of 13 is not allowed to work, but there are exceptions. You may need to seek permission from the Swedish Work Environment Authority if you employ children under 13 in one of the various exceptional cases.
Work tasks for minors – younger children (in Swedish)
Internship
The responsibility for a pupil on a work experience internship lies with both the internship site and the school.
Internships for young people (in Swedish)
To help you
On the working environment of minors – a guide to the provisions AFS 2012:3 (in Swedish)