MINORS IN THE LAB

Always consult with UF’s Youth Compliance Services prior to engaging minors in any University activities.

Unless enrolled as a University of Florida student, minors are not allowed to work or conduct research in University of Florida laboratories, greenhouses, clinic areas, or animal facilities except as identified specifically below. In addition, minors are prohibited from operating farm machinery or state vehicles and from working in machine shops.

PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES:

• Any laboratory or facility designated as BSL-3, ABSL-3 or higher for recombinant or infectious organisms.
• Any laboratory or facility where select agents or explosives are used or stored.
• Any Animal Care Services (ACS) housing or procedure area/lab/facility.

(Note that this does not apply to individual Principal Investigator animal research laboratories.)

Minors are prohibited from working with radioactive materials or radiation (X-rays) and Acute Toxins.

ALLOWED ACTIVITIES:

Minors are allowed to work or conduct research in laboratories/facilities (not listed above) if the following requirements are met in full:

1. The University of Florida EH&S Policy titled Minors In Research Laboratories, Clinic Areas Or Animal Facilities has been read and understood.
2. A Minors Registration Form is submitted to and approved by the University of Florida, Division of Environmental Health and Safety and the IBC, if applicable. Included in this form is The Potential Hazards Information sheet which requires a parental /guardian signature indicating he/she has read of potential risks. The Registration Form must be approved prior to initiation of the work or research.
3. Hazard specific safety training is completed by the Principal Investigator/Sponsor with the minor as approved by EH&S.
4. Personal protective equipment, specific to the hazard, is provided to the minor with instructions for use and disposal.
5. The minor is supervised following UF’s Youth Compliance Services supervision requirements while in the facility.
6. Hours of work comply with Federal Regulation 29 CFR 570.35.
7. The laboratory/facility is in full compliance with all applicable University of Florida safety programs and regulations.

VISITORS IN THE LAB

Visitations to laboratories must be under the direct supervision of a qualified faculty or staff member, part of a formally organized guided tour, or supervised educational program. The organizational unit chair/director, shop supervisor, or laboratory principal investigator bears primary responsibility for ensuring that visitors under their direct supervision are aware of the requirements and adhere to this policy.

Visits must be limited to less than two weeks in a six-month period. A visitor is defined as:

• Persons who are neither paid, regular members of UF faculty nor other full-time or part-time employees of UF, for instance, faculty visitors from other universities and research institutions, adjuncts;
• Organized tours groups, for instance high school students;
• Visitors from business organizations and governmental entities;
• Temporary trainees.

Requirements for receiving/hosting a visitor in a research space include:

• Visitors must be always escorted by a qualified UF employee who has taken all required EH&S training.
• The host must provide a brief safety training covering hazards, control measures, rules, and expectations. This training shall be documented a kept in the hosts records for a minimum of 3 years.
• Visitors must adhere to appropriate attire, personal protective equipment requirements and follow all UF safety rules and regulations.
• Visitors must sign the PARTICIPANT CONSENT, RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY . Waiver forms should be kept by the hosting faculty, unit or department for a minimum of 3 years.