Information for employers, workers, and instructors

Employers:
Why should you only employ workers who have been trained and certified?

WHAT does the law say?
In summary, the HOOA (Hazardous Occupations Order in Agriculture) law states that all 14-15 year old youth who are seeking employment in the agricultural industry must receive the training as required by the U.S. Department of Labor, with the only exemption for youth working on they’re own farm, as noted below. The HOOA was originally promulgated in January 1968. One exemption to the law states that 14-15 year old youth who are working on their home or family farm are exempt from the training and certification requirements. When youth become 16 years of age, this law no longer applies to their employment.

Want to know more about the regulations?
Check out the U.S. Department of Labor's Youth and Labor: Agricultural Employment page

Workers:
Why should you be trained and certified on hazardous work in the agricultural workplace?
Agriculture is a very dangerous industry and at many agricultural worksites there are hazards associated with:

  • Equipment operation
  • Crop and livestock production
  • Agricultural Buildings
  • Chemical use and storage
  • Highway transportation
The training that you will receive will better prepare you for dealing with the hazards and risks in agriculture. Ask your instructors about any safety and health topics that you do not understand during your training program. Once you have successfully completed your training, keep your certification documents in a safe place and use them when applying for work on another farm or at any other agricultural workplace.

WHO certifies that an individual has been properly trained?
Youth between the ages of 14-15 can only be certified by Cooperative Extension educators or by high school agriculture instructors (vocational agriculture or agricultural science teachers). They’re signing of the U.S. Department of Labor certificate indicates that the student has successfully passed all requirements of the training program.

HOW do youth receive their training and certification?
A new generation of training materials (Task Sheets) have been developed by the Pennsylvania State University. These updated training resources are available online or by contacting the NSTMOP Office at 814-863-8124.

Students should contact an approved instructor in the state in which they live. To find a listing of instructors click-on Find a local NSTMOP Instructor.

Training programs encompass 24 hours of intensive instruction. Appropriate Task Sheets will be covered by the Community Local Instructors along with skills and safe driving instruction. Upon the completion of the training, each student will be required to take a 50 question knowledge test with a minimum passing score of 70%. Students who successfully pass the knowledge test will be permitted to take the Skills and Driving tests. If these are successfully completed, the students will receive their formal certification from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Instructors:
Deliver effective training for the students enrolled in your training programs.

HOW do you provide quality training programs for your students?
The HOSTA NSTMOP and its website has been developed to support your instructional efforts.

Among the capabilities of the NSTMOP and website are:

  • New and up-to-date curriculum.
  • Support network for instructors.
  • Online course listings.
  • Ordering of training materials, tests, instructions, and certification materials.