The Institute has recently passed a policy designed to clarify how minors, or persons under the age of 18 not enrolled at the Institute, can appropriately and safely participate in laboratory activities on campus.

“Georgia Tech has several educational outreach programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) that attract high school students,” stated Nazia Zakir, assistant vice president of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). “As an educational research institution, we needed to go the extra mile and formalize our existing guidelines and policies to protect the engineers and scientists of tomorrow.”

The policy extends beyond the traditional laboratory to include animal facilities, machine shops, and other environments that could be potentially hazardous. It applies to volunteers and to Georgia Tech employees, ages 16 and 17. 

In order for a minor to actively participate in these settings, the following conditions must be met:

• The minor’s parent/guardian must submit a consent and waiver agreement.
• The Authorization of a Minor to Work or Volunteer in a Laboratory or Other Hazardous Area form must be completed by the hiring or volunteer manager and approved by the EHS director. This approval process may involve an in-person lab visit from EHS. Typically, approvals take 10 business days.
• The minor must participate in specified safety training conducted by EHS.

“It is of great value for us to work with Environmental Health and Safety to provide guidance for the safety of minors in our programs,” said Erick Maxwell, chief engineer and STEM coordinator at Georgia Tech Research Institute’s Electrical Systems Laboratory. “It ensures we remain connected with the latest policies and standards of safety and care. It also helps us compare our internal procedures to external standards.”

It is important that hiring managers remember that no minors — under any circumstance — may participate in any setting involving exposure to radioactive substances or explosive materials. In addition, the principal investigator (PI) or mentor must maintain line of sight with the minor while in the lab.

For more information, including links to the required applications, visit the Minor in the Lab webpage at ehs.gatech.edu/minors. View the Minors in Laboratories, Hazardous Areas and Animal Facilities Policy for more details.