• Form 1: Print out and complete a Proposed Project Checklist for Minors Performing Research in Laboratories (PDF) form. On the form:
• Describe the project.
• Obtain written consent from the minor's parent(s) or guardian.
• Designate a qualified adult laboratory supervisor and an alternate supervisor, if necessary.
• Form 2: Print out and complete a Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement – Volunteers (PDF) form.
  • Obtain signatures of both the minor and their parent or guardian on the waiver.
  • Keep the original waiver in your deparmental files for 2.5 years after the minor turns 18 years old.

• EH&S Research Safety Manager (RSM)
  Mail Code 0089

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• The minor is accompanied into the lab by a trained and knowledgeable supervisor who is designated on the Project Checklist form.
• The designated supervisor must be the actual person observing and physically present in the lab with the minor.
• If under exceptional circumstances the primary supervisor can't be present, an alternate supervisor, formally named on the Project Checklist, may substitute.

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• Telephone and emergency phone numbers
• First-aid kit
• Eye wash and emergency shower
• Fire alarm pull stations and fire extinugishers
• Building exits
• Where to assemble outside in case of building evacuation

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• Complete a New Worker Checklist (PDF) before the minor begins work.
• Keep all safety training documentation in the lab's files.

• Show the minor how to access and understand material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for the chemicals they will work with. Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Explained.
• Explain possible routes of exposure, as appropriate:
  • Skin absorption
  • Ingestion
  • Inhalation
• Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and engineering controls, and train the minor in their proper use.

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• Chemical safety:
  • Restrictions
    • Minors are not allowed to work with:
    • Acutely hazardous materials (i.e., compounds having a rat oral LD50 less than or equal to 50 mg/Kg, such as hydrofluoric acid, acrylonitrile, osmium tetroxide, etc.)
    • International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Group 1 or 2A carcinogens or Cal/OSHA-regulated carcinogens
  • Training
  • Follow the General Chemical Safety Guidelines.
  • Make sure the minor attends Laboratory Safety Principles/ Injury & Illness Prevention Program training prior to direct work with chemicals.
• Biological safety:
  • Restrictions
    • Restrictions for working with potentially biohazardous substances depend on age group:
    • Minors between the ages of 12 and 16:
    • Are prohibited from working with biohazardous materials above biosafety level 1 (BSL-1)
    • May enter and work at BSL-1 in a large open bay laboratory where BSL-2 work may be taking place, providing they have no contact with the BSL-2 work
    • Minors between the ages of 16 and 18:
    • Are prohibited from working with biohazardous materials above BSL-2
    • May enter and work at BSL-2 with appropriate training and medical surveillance (if applicable)
  • Training
  • Minors permitted to work at BSL-2 must receive job-specific training from the responsible PI, including biohazardous waste handling instruction.
  • PIs may also decide to develop a tiered level of training, confirming competency at each level before going to the next level of difficulty or increased hazard.
  • If work will involve human or primate blood, body fluids, or tissues, the minor and their parent or guardian must:
  • Contact UCSD Occupational Health and Environmental Medicine (COEM), (619) 543-7060, to be counseled by a healthcare provider regarding health risks
  • Be offered the Hepatitis B vaccine at no cost, or the parent or guardian must sign a declination form
  • Be provided with appropriate medical surveillance and training, if applicable
  • Follow UCSD Animal Care Program policies if working with laboratory animals
• Radiation safety:
  • Restrictions:
  • Minors generally are not allowed to work with or handle radioactive materials or radiation-producing machines. PIs may apply for an exception to allow a minor to work under direct supervision with up to 1 mCi per experiment.
    • Apply to the radiation safety officer (RSO) for exceptions.
  • Minors are not allowed under any circumstances to work with the following materials:
  • Inorganic P-32 orthophosphate
  • Volatile forms of radioactive iodine
  • Irradiators
  • Radiation-producing machines
  • Training
    • Minors working with eligible radioactive materials must:
      • Attend Radiation: Safety Seminar
      • Get additional training if required by the RSSC or RSO, depending on the planned research
  • Requirements
    • Complete and submit a user enrollment form (PDF) for each individual.
    • Minors must wear a monthly body and ring dosimeter when working with or around radioactive materials.
    • Read How to Add or Delete Radiation Dosimetry Badges.
    Note: The dose to a minor is limited to 10% of the adult dose limit.
    • Read Radiation Exposure Monitoring Overview.

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