Proposed changes in federal safety rules would significantly restrict the type of farm work young people under the age of 16 can do and which farms they can work on...The proposed rules would continue to exempt children who work on farms owned by their parents...The public is invited to provide comments on this important proposal. Comments must be received by the government agency by November 1, 2011...The DOL is proposing rules prohibiting hired workers under the age of 16 from working with certain animals, handling pesticides, working in timber operations and working in or around manure pits and storage bins. Further, the new rules would prohibit farm workers under the age of 16 from participation in the cultivation, harvesting and curing of tobacco and from using electronic devices while operating power-driven equipment.