MINORS ON CAMPUS
Laboratory Safety
Ball State University © 2013
General Guidelines
• Goal is to protect minors from potential harm, while teaching
•
•
•
•
good laboratory practices.
“Laboratory” means a science laboratory (research or teaching)
wherein chemicals, solvents, etc. are used or stored. Computer
or other laboratories are not included in this definition for
training purposes.
No person under the age of 16 may work in a laboratory under
any circumstances. 16 and 17 year olds may work in most
laboratories, but only under the DIRECT and CONSTANT
supervision of an adult competent to evaluate the safety of the
work being performed.
This “Adult” should generally be a faculty member or senior
staff member in the study area. Graduate assistants, aides, or
volunteers may have limited supervisory responsibility
delegated.
Register all programs with the Director of Risk Management.
®
Safety Equipment
• Hands-free eye wash station
• Safety shower
• Fire blanket & fire extinguisher(s)
• First-Aid Kit, including blood clean up items
• Acid spill clean-up station
• Broken glass disposal
• Gloves, masks or goggles, chemical and flame-resistant
lab coats or aprons
• Telephone with an outside line in case of emergency
• Natural gas, electricity hook-ups
• Safety and chemical inventory
®
Indiana Child Labor Laws
• Minors are restricted by federal law from working in
certain prohibited and hazardous occupations
• Indiana Child Labor laws forbid the employment of minors
in occupations deemed prohibited under the federal Fair
Labor Standards Act (FLSA) or declared hazardous by the
U.S. Secretary of Labor
• Minors aged 14-15 may not work in any capacity in an occupation
deemed hazardous
• Minors aged 16-17 year olds may work in a limited capacity with
supervision and safety measures in place
®
Exposure to Radioactive Substances
and Ionizing Radiations
• Minors may not perform any work in any laboratory or
workroom in which radium is stored or self-luminous
compound is made, processed, packaged, stored, used,
or worked upon.
• They may not work in areas where incandescent mantles
made from fabric and solutions containing thorium salts
are manufactured, processed, or packaged.
• They may not work in areas where other radioactive
substances are present in the air in average
concentrations exceeding 10% of the maximum
permissible concentrations in the air recommended for
occupational exposure by the National Committee on
Radiation Protection.
www.in.gov/dol “Prohibited and Hazardous Occupations for Minors”
®
Controlled Substances
• Indiana Code 35-48-2 lists schedules of controlled
substances and drugs according to classification,
including
• Opiates
• Opium derivatives
• Hallucinogenic substances
• Depressants
• Stimulants
• Narcotics
• Under no circumstances should minors be permitted in
any setting where research involving controlled
substances is being performed.
®
Hazardous chemicals & Explosives
Some science experiments necessarily involve hazardous
chemicals or explosives, but proper handling can make
these reasonably safe for minors
• Instruct participants in the proper handling of materials
• Use only the designated tools and containers for
materials, and ensure that they are properly labeled
• Provide adequate supervision of all experiments
®
Hazardous Chemicals & Explosives
• Follow proper disposal requirements
• Regularly check any natural gas or electricity outlets
• Be prepared for accidents
• Have safety measures in place; instruct students on what to do in
the event of fire, emergency, or accidental exposure
• Have emergency equipment (extinguishers, fire blankets, etc.) in a
designated and easily accessible area
• Minimize exposure with appropriate dress, safety
equipment, and ventilation. If in doubt, see the OSHA
Personal Protective Equipment Standard for guidance
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/personalprotectiveequipment
®
Biological restrictions—microorganisms,
blood & bodily fluids
In addition to general safety procedures, specific safeguards should be
utilized when minors come into contact with biological specimens, such
as blood, bodily fluids, live cell cultures, or enzymes
• Gloves should be worn when touching blood or body fluids, human or
•
•
•
•
•
animal tissue, mucous membranes, or microorganisms
Masks and goggles should be worn during procedures likely to
generate splashes of blood or body fluids into the mouth, nose or eye
Lab coats or aprons should be worn
Following the experiment, decontaminate the area with an appropriate
disinfectant
Dispose of any tissue or contaminated material appropriately
Do not use samples of unknown origin; students should handle
only their own personal samples
®
Vivarium: Live plants & animals
• Hand washing is the first line of defense against any
disease; the most common method of contraction is to
place infectious material directly in your own mouth, eyes,
or nose
• Address any allergies students may have; know the
severity of any allergy and take necessary precautions
relative to the risk
®
Safety Procedures
• Written consent from a parent or legal guardian may be
advisable depending on the nature of the experiment(s).
• Faculty or staff must provide appropriate safety training to
minors prior to participation in a laboratory setting,
including:
• Hazards specific to the experiments or assignment
• How to recognize those hazards and protect themselves
• Laboratory-specific chemical hygiene plan
• Standard operating procedures and emergency procedures
• Personal Protective Equipment shall be utilized to
minimize exposure to a variety of hazards, including lab
coats, gloves, foot protection, eye protection (safety
glasses or goggles), hearing protection (earplugs or
muffs), hard hats, or respirators as applicable.
®
Additional Resources
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov
• Occupational Health & Safety Administration: www.osha.gov
• Indiana Department of Labor: www.in.gov/dol
• American Chemical Society:
• www.acs.org
• Health and Safety Resources for classroom science
• Recommendations by grade level
• National Association of Biology Teachers
• www.nabt.org
• Health & Safety Resources
• Buying guides for live specimens
• National Science Teachers Association
• www.nsta.org
®