Chemical Hazards Use Committee and Environmental Health & Safety

 

Guidelines For Children

and Unauthorized Persons in laboratories and other Potentially Hazardous Areas

November 4, 2002

 

 

Introduction:

 

These guidelines have been established to protect the health and well-being of children and unauthorized persons from exposure to potentially hazardous environments on the UMass/Amherst campus.

 

Access to University premises, identified as laboratories, studios, workshops, mechanical rooms, warehouses, and other work areas housing potentially dangerous materials, conditions, machinery, or processes, shall be limited to authorized University staff and students or other persons on official, related business.  Measures should be taken to assure that persons entering into these areas be appropriately trained, adequately protected from hazards, and informed about the safety and emergency procedures relevant to their activities.

 

Children under the age of 18 are prohibited from entering laboratory areas or other areas where hazardous materials or conditions may be present unless the appropriate procedures (see below) are followed and:

 

  • Entry is in the context of a scheduled open house or tour or;
  • In the context of the normal duties of a student, student worker or intern who has been deemed competent to handle those risks by his/ her supervisor or;
  • Entry is with a parent who is authorized to enter these areas.

 

To protect those individuals, they must be properly supervised and the appropriate health and safety precautions must be implemented.  The department head or director with guidance from Environmental Health and Safety must assure that procedures and safety equipment are appropriate and grant written approval for children entering potentially hazardous areas.

 

Note that these guidelines do not apply to children who are enrolled in a University class with a laboratory component.  Also children who are employed by the University are covered by Federal and State laws governing child labor (See Human Resources for more information)

 

 

 

Procedures:

 

Children under the age of 18 years are not permitted in areas where special restrictions are in effect.  Special restrictions apply to areas in which there is potential exposure to radioactive, explosive, carcinogenic, or biohazardous materials, or the requirement for Prior Notification for Hazardous Chemical Operations (See the University of Massachusetts/Amherst Laboratory Health and Safety Manual).  Children under the age of 18 years may enter other teaching or research areas for educational purposes during admissions tours, outreach programs in the arts, science or engineering or when parents bring their children to work.  (Please note that under Massachusetts Labor laws, children under 18 may not do hazardous jobs  (e.g. exposure to radioactive substances or explosives.)

 

The following is required when children enter potentially hazardous environments such as teaching and research laboratories, studios, backstage theatre areas, mechanical rooms, shops, equipment rooms, or farms.

 

A.  Unplanned tours for admissions and recruitment purposes.

 

Children may enter laboratories and other hazardous areas as part of an unplanned tour for admissions or recruitment purposes.  Tours can be conducted at the discretion of the faculty member responsible for the laboratory and the department head or designee.  The faculty member shall be responsible for proper supervision and any appropriate personal protective equipment for any visitors.

 

 

B.  When the child is participating in a University sponsored program such as Bring Your Daughters to Work, Earth Link, and tours conducted by the Theatre department.

 

The following is required:         

·        Organizer of the event will notify EH&S about the program and submit written procedures to protect health and safety of individuals to EH&S at least one week before the event.  Please consult with EH&S if this is not possible.

·        Organizer of the event will request information about hazards from the sponsoring department before the event.

·        Organizer of the event will collect permission slips signed by parent or guardian before the child's participation.

·        Sponsoring department head or designee will assure proper supervision of students.

·        Sponsoring department will furnish any protective equipment necessary for health and safety of participants.

·        Sponsoring department will report any incidents to EH&S.

 

 

 

C.  Internship, volunteer work, or participant in a University sponsored program under the supervision of an individual faculty member (s). 

 

The following is required:

·        Sponsoring department head or designee will notify EH&S about the program and submit written procedures to protect health and safety of individuals to EH&S at least one week before the child's participation.  These procedures will include identification of hazards, procedures to minimize exposure to hazards, safety equipment, personal protective equipment, and required training.

·        Sponsoring department head or designee will provide information about hazards to parent or guardian before the child's participation.

·        Sponsoring department head or designee will collect permission slips signed by parent or guardian before the child's participation.

·        Sponsoring department head or designee will assure proper supervision of students.

·        Sponsoring department head or designee will furnish any protective equipment necessary for health and safety of participants.

  • The participant must receive laboratory safety training and other specialized training as required for other hazardous materials (e.g. radiation, biohazardous and/or hazardous waste) prior to entering a laboratory.
  • The participant must have appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment before entering a laboratory.
  • Children under the age of 18 are not permitted in laboratories where there may be exposure to radioactive substances, explosives, or biohazardous materials (Biosafety Level 3 laboratory).
  • The sponsoring department head or designee will assure that participants have filed the appropriate work permits to comply with any state and federal labor laws.  This information is available from the UMass Division of Human Resources.

 

 

D.   Entrance into a laboratory or other potentially hazardous area with a parent or guardian:

 

The following is required:

  • Children under the age of 18 are not permitted in restricted hazardous areas or restricted laboratories.  Restricted laboratories are those where there may be exposure to radioactive substances, explosives, biohazardous materials (Biosafety Level 3 laboratory), or any laboratory requiring Prior Notification for Hazardous Chemical Operations.
  • Children under the age of 18 are permitted in hallways, offices adjacent to laboratories, and unrestricted laboratories but must be supervised by a University staff or student parent or guardian at all times

 

November 4, 2002

Guidelines Children in Labs