Lab safety for teen interns in the summer

Summer is a great time for potential young scientists to gain some valuable experience working in a "real world" research laboratory. However, if you plan on hosting anyone under the age of 18 this summer, please note there are special policies in place for minors working in labs. Research labs, in particular, can have a number of physical, chemical, radiological and biological hazards that may be unfamiliar to minors, and these policies help keep them protected during their time in the lab.

OESO has a safety policy that covers minors and non-employees in the work area. This policy states that no one under the age of 14 can work or volunteer at Duke Medicine, and children under 14 must have written OESO approval to enter a lab. Those between the ages of 14-17 may not perform any work that is determined to be hazardous or potentially harmful, including:

* work that may expose them to infectious diseases transmitted via aerosols.

* tasks that may expose them to blood or body fluids, infectious diseases or hazardous chemicals as listed on OESO's Particularly Hazardous Substance List.

* areas where there is potential exposure to radiation in excess of 0.1 rem (0.001sievert) total effective dose equivalent or in excess of 10 percent of the limits for general employees. No minor is allowed to handle radioactive materials directly. If an AU (Authorized User) is planning on hosting minors in the lab this summer, notify the Radiation Safety Officer (684-2194) prior to their arrival.

* areas that are under construction.

*areas where ABSL2 studies are being conducted.

In addition, OESO requires supervisors/PIs to fill out the "Workplace Safety Statement for Minors and Non-Employees at Duke" for any minors they wish to bring into the lab. The form can be found on the OESO Laboratory Environment page, under the "Lab Safety Audits and Onsite Evaluations" heading. Once completed, this form should be sent to OESO Laboratory Safety for approval (fax: 681-7509).

The OESO policy states that "employees who escort or supervise the activities of minors and other non-employees shall assess the potential risk of exposure to hazards and direct the non-employee's access accordingly." Assessing this potential risk includes supervisors orienting the minors to their work area, including providing any orientation training needed.

Summer jobs and internships can be a great way for teens to gain some valuable work experience, and it introduces them to a variety of work environments. But minors in labs require additional protections, and we need to help keep them safe while hosted in our labs. For more information on the OESO policy, call 684-2794.