Vanderbilt University Medical Center
GUIDELINES GOVERNING MINORS IN LABORATORIES
Revised 11-24-2015
PURPOSE
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 nonintrusive studies (i.e. observational, behavioral) that do not affect an animal’s health or wellbeing 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 Claudia.n.cottingham@vanderbilt.edu BEFORE the
minor begins observation in the laboratory or animal area.
STUDENT/MINOR NAME
DATE OF BIRTH
SCHOOL_
FACULTY SPONSOR NAME
DEPARTMENT
E-mail
DESIGNATED SUPERVISOR NAME / TITLE / EMAIL (if different from above)
BUILDING / ROOM # WHERE MINOR WILL BE PRESENT
PROJECT TITLE (if applicable)
DATES OF EXPERIENCE
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF HOURS PER WEEK
BRIEFLY DESCRIBE THE EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVE OF THIS EXPERIENCE:
SCAN ALL FORMS at the same time to: Claudia.n.cottingham@vanderbilt.edu
Potential Hazard Information Sheet
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT TO BE USED – CHECK AND LIST ALL THAT APPLY:
CHEMICALS
BIOLOGICAL
MATERIAL
EQUIPMENT
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: Claudia.n.cottingham@vanderbilt.edu
FACULTY AGREEMENT FORM
(minor’s name)
I AGREE to sponsor
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: Claudia.n.cottingham@vanderbilt.edu
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: Claudia.n.cottingham@vanderbilt.edu