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Volunteer/Visitor/Minor Waivers

Process

Faculty and their designated staff members shall follow this process for minors, visitors and volunteers that work in their labs on the WVU Health Sciences Center Campus.

  1. The Principal Investigator must notify the Department Chair of the program utilizing minors or volunteers/visitors that will be working in their lab. The department and P.I. will obtain and maintain the individual's information (address, phone, etc.) and emergency contact information, as well as any medical concerns.
  2. Prospective minor and volunteer/visitor must complete the appropriate waiver found here: 
  • In order to receive approval from the Division of Human Resources-Employment Services Unit, follow the instructions found here:  http://employmentservices.hr.wvu.edu/home/hiring_of_minors
  • Departments must ensure compliance with applicable labor laws for all minors.
  • The minor or volunteer/visitor must be provided and attend training appropriate for the work activities they perform or that may be performed by others in their assigned laboratory.
  • Personal Protective Equipment shall be provided by the Principal Investigator and worn by the minor or volunteer/visitors as directed by the laboratory Principal Investigator and requirements specified in the Chemical Hygiene Plan for the work activities performed by that individual.
  • Minors shall not be permitted to work unsupervised in the lab.
  • Minors must be supervised by a professional level faculty or staff member/mentor.
  • Minors shall be prohibited from the following work activities:
    • Handle or manipulate organisms at Biological Safety Level 2 without Chair and Biosafety Officer approval
    • Handle or manipulate organisms at Biological Safety Level 3 or ABSL-3 at any time
    • Operate or work in laboratories with hazard class 3b or 4 open beam lasers
    • Handle or manipulate Select Agents or controlled substances
    • Handle or manipulate radioactive materials or ionizing radiation sources
    • Handle or manipulate Particularly Hazardous Substance (PHS) without prior approval from the Department Chair and the  HSC Safety Office
    • Perform research activities with laboratory animals without Chair, OLAR and HSC Safety approval.
  • The PI will ensure that the volunteer receives the following applicable training:

    WVU Mandatory Hazardous Waste Online Training  -  https://www.ehs.wvu.edu/training/hazard-comm-hazardous-waste-lab-safety-training      

    Any employee or volunteer working in a laboratory must take this training. Instructions for activating the training account and logging into the training are found on the link. Also please note, that at the end of each section, the screen will say completed, however the training is not complete until the quiz at the end of the training is fully completed and a score of 100% is obtained.

    Liquid Nitrogen Dry Ice Training  –  https://sole.hsc.wvu.edu/login?ReturnUrl=/

    Any employee or student utilizing Liquid Nitrogen must take the online Liquid Nitrogen Safety Training through SOLE.  To register for the training send the following information to nhedrick@mail.wvu.edu:

         - First, middle, last name
         - Date of Birth
         - When you think you will need access (pick a date)
         - And to answer the question if you have ever held a WVU account.

    Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Training Portal -  https://www.citiprogram.org/index.cfm?pageID=86 Training is required as follows:

    • Training is required as follows:

    • Animal Care and Use (ACU) – Individuals conducting research involving animals must take this training.
    • Biosafety and Biosecurity (BSS) – Individuals working with potentially infectious material must take this training.
    • Good Clinical Practice (GCP) – Individuals working in a clinical setting must take this training.
    • Human Subjects Research (HSR) – Individuals conducting research involving human subjects must take this training.
    • Information Privacy and Security (IPS) – Individuals with access to confidential information must take this training.
    • Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) – Individuals conducting any research must take this training.

     

    1. Minors' and Volunteers' Responsibilities
      Observe all safety requirements for the work activity you are performing. This includes, but is not limited to:
      • Attending required safety training for the work activities you perform, as well as others in your work area(s).
      • Follow all appropriate rules, regulations and directions.
      • Review and know the hazards associated with the substances and equipment you use to conduct your work activities, as well as others in your work area(s).
      • Perform your work according to directions, manufacturer instructions, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), training, and the Chemical Hygiene Plan.
      • Wear Personal Protective Equipment as provided by the department.
      • Immediately report all spills, concerns, accidents or exposures to your supervisor/mentor, the Principal Investigator, and HSC Safety Office.
    2. Principal Investigators/Supervisors/Mentors Responsibilities
      • Ensure visitor/volunteer know and follow directions, manufacturer instructions, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), training, and the Chemical Hygiene Plan requirements for their work activities.
      • Ensure visitor/volunteer attend the required safety training and wear appropriate personal protective equipment for their work activities.
      • Ensure visitor/volunteer are appropriately supervised and follow rules.
      • Revoke visitor/volunteer privileges if rules are not followed.