Re: Children in Research Areas

["Frank E. Gallagher, III" <fegallag@uci.edu>]

At the University of California, Irvine, we have faced the issue of having
high school students and undergrads (and even a few bright graduate
students) under 18 who want to work in labs with radioactive materials.
Our Radiation Safety Committee has established a policy that 16-17 year
olds can work with small quantities under careful supervision and those 15
and under can observe experiments with small quantities under careful
supervision.  In both cases, we require parental permission, and
certification by the Responsible P. I. that he/she understands the special
rules for minors.  We require dosimetry for handling lower amounts for
minors than for adults, but have never had a measurable badge reading for a
minor. 

*************************************************************
Frank E. Gallagher, III, CHP		  
Manager, Radiation Protection      	  
Radiation Safety Officer
=================================================
University of California, Irvine / Environmental Health & Safety
300 University Tower  /  Irvine, CA    92697-2725
fegallag@uci.edu / (949) 824-6904 / (949) 824-8539 Fax
*************************************************************

At 08:32 AM 05/08/1998 -0500, you wrote:
>Radsafers:
>
>With the "bring your child to work days" and working parents dealing with
>their children's school vacation days, we have decided to revise our policy
>regarding children in research areas.   Basically, a child under the age of
>15 is not permitted in an area where biologicals, radioactives and
>chemicals are used  and/or where  risk of physical injury is possible. 
>Children between the ages of 15 and 18 are permitted access for
>educational/work related activities if the RSC approves, parental consent
>is obtained and the responsible investigator assumes the task of direct
>supervision ( in writing) of the child.
>
>