Vanderbilt University Medical Center GUIDELINES GOVERNING MINORS IN LABORATORIES PURPOS Revised 11-24-2015 E The breadth of biomedical research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) creates an array of opportunities for individuals to participate in enriching educational experiences. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide guidance to faculty members, researchers, managers, and supervisors of laboratories and programs regarding underage individuals (minors) in VUMC research laboratories or facilities where physical hazards exist; where hazardous chemical, biological, or radiological agents are used or stored; or where laboratory animals are present.
DEFINITIONS “Minor” is defined as any individual under 18 years of age. A “designated supervisor” is a Vanderbilt employee who is directly responsible for overseeing the activities and involvement of the minor at Vanderbilt. The designated supervisor does not necessarily need to have an advanced degree, but must be thoroughly familiar with the activities in which the minor will be involved, and the policies that govern the minor’s involvement.
SCOPE These guidelines govern all VUMC laboratories and animal activity areas For purposes of these guidelines, laboratories shall also include on and off campus study sites These guidelines include all persons under 18 except: o Minors enrolled at Vanderbilt who are participating in laboratory activities as part of their normal coursework. Each designated supervisor will be responsible for providing these students with the appropriate safety training o Minors who are employees of Vanderbilt o Minors who are subjects in studies approved by the Vanderbilt IRB o Minors in non-research-related Vanderbilt University Medical Center activities.
GUIDELINES The presence of minors in a biomedical research laboratory must have a defined educational purpose with the following restrictions: o All minors are prohibited from entering the following areas: Any laboratory or animal area designated as BSL-3 or higher Any laboratory or animal area where select agents or explosives are used or stored o Minors are prohibited from having contact with the following materials: Radioactive materials or radiation Acute toxins Live laboratory animals (see details below) Minors, with the restrictions listed above, are allowed to visit, observe, or conduct research in laboratories if the following requirements are met in full: o All applicable forms (see “Procedures” section) have been completed and submitted to the Center for Science Outreach o The minor has completed safety training approved by the Vanderbilt Environmental Health and Safety Office Additionally, if there will be animals in the laboratory, the minor must complete training requirements determined by the IACUC; however, the minor cannot have physical contact with live laboratory animals o The minor is directly supervised by the faculty member or designated supervisor at all times while in the laboratory o The laboratory is in full compliance with all applicable Vanderbilt safety programs and regulations
PROCEDURES Laboratories seeking to arrange educational experiences for minors who are eligible based these guidelines should: See https://medschool.vanderbilt.edu/summer-positions/ for the appropriate forms which include: o “Registration Form for Minors Present in Laboratories” that describes the educational objective of the experience to be completed o “Potential Hazard Information Sheet” detailing what materials or equipment with which the minor might come in contact o “Faculty Agreement Form” completed by the faculty sponsor. All minors must have a faculty sponsor. o “Consent Form for Minor Working in Vanderbilt Medical Center Laboratory” completed by the minor’s parent or legal guardian o “Emergency Contact and Medical Information” sheet After forms have been submitted to and reviewed by the BRET Office and applicable safety training fulfilled, the department administrator and/or mentor will receive an emailed approval and the minor will be eligible to begin a laboratory experience.
FOOTNOTE REGARDING LABORATORY ANIMALS Minors are not to be involved in experimentation involving live non-human vertebrate animals. Live vertebrates are defined as any live, non-human vertebrate, mammalian embryo or fetus, bird or reptile eggs within three days (72 hours) of hatching, and all other vertebrates at hatching or birth. Excluded from the above rule: a) Projects involving animals in their natural environment that are non-invasive and non- intrusive studies (i.e. observational, behavioral) that do not affect an animal’s health or well- being by causing stress, discomfort or pain, that meet Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) standards at Vanderbilt University, and which conform to federal regulations protecting animal well-being and researcher safety (www.aalas.org; www.aphis.usda.gov). b) Projects being conducted (i) at Vanderbilt University in a registered laboratory where animal experimentation is taking place; and (ii) the student works with non-living material (e.g., tissue, blood) that has been supplied to them by the Supervising Scientist; and (iii) the animal(s) involved is/are sacrificed for a purpose other than the research being done by the student. Vanderbilt University Medical Center Registration Form for Minors Present in Laboratories
Please return this form to [email protected] BEFORE the minor begins observation in the laboratory or animal area.
SCAN ALL FORMS at the same time to: [email protected] Potential Hazard Information Sheet
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT TO BE USED – CHECK AND LIST ALL THAT APPLY:
BIOLOGICAL CHEMICALS EQUIPMENT MATERIAL
D Flammable D Recombinant DNA D Fume Hood
D Reactive D Bacteria D Biosafety Cabinet
D Carcinogenic D Viruses D Autoclave
D Toxic D Fungi D Centrifuge
D Corrosive D Parasites D Power Supply
D Oxidizer D Human Source Material D Analytical Instruments
D Pharmaceuticals D Insects D Industrial Machinery
D Gases D Plants D Noise Producing Equip
D Other D Animals D Other
SCAN ALL FORMS at the same time to: [email protected] FACULTY AGREEMENT FORM
I AGREE to sponsor (minor’s name) for an educational experience within our laboratory under myself, or the following Designated Supervisor: .
I AGREE THAT: I have read, understand, and will adhere to the Vanderbilt Medical Center “Guidelines Governing Minors in Laboratories”. The potential hazard information signature sheet is attached. The minor has completed the required safety training. Personal protective equipment appropriate for the laboratory environment will be provided My laboratory is in full compliance with all Vanderbilt University safety programs and regulations
NAME OF PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN
SIGNATURE
DATE
SCAN ALL FORMS at the same time to: [email protected] CONSENT FORM FOR MINOR IN VANDERBILT MEDICAL CENTER LABORATORY
I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND the Potential Hazard Information Sheet describing the potential risks associated with my child’s educational experience.
NAME OF MINOR
NAME OF FACULTY SPONSOR or DESIGNATED SUPERVISOR / PHONE NUMBER
NAME OF PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN
SIGNATURE
DATE
SCAN ALL FORMS at the same time to: [email protected]