Laboratory Visitors

If you anticipate visitors to your laboratory, including minors, please review the requirements and restrictions below. Submit forms to the proper department in advance of the visit to allow sufficient time for the forms to be processed and approved. 

  • Ensure that the space for activities is suitable for laboratory projects. Activities involving the use of chemicals or potentially infectious materials must be stored and handled in a laboratory.
  • No one under the age of 14 is allowed into a Columbia University laboratory, unless present on an organized tour or field trip for strictly observational purposes. (Even if a child is under the supervision of a parent or guardian, their presence is strictly prohibited.)
  • Minors are not allowed to handle human blood, human cell lines, or “other potentially infectious materials,” research animals, or be left unattended in a laboratory.
  • Minors may not handle radioactive materials; minors may not operate open XRF or other open X-ray devices; minors may operate enclosed X-ray devices with direct supervision of the PI, sponsor, or an officer of the University (Radiation Safety Manual).
  • No Short-Term Visitor is allowed on any ship owned or operated by the University.
  • For additional information about animal research, please visit the IACUC website.
  • Any workplace incidents/exposures must be reported to the PI and Lab Manager immediately, and emergency procedures must be followed.
  • Any CUIMC visitors (volunteers, trainees, and observers) over the age of 18 who provide service at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital (NYP) must comply with Joint Commission mandates and therefore are subject to a pre-employment drug screening test. 

Short-Term Visitors are required to register with the appropriate office of the University prior to their arrival by completing the Visitor Registration Form. It must be signed by the visitor, reviewed by the departmental administrator in the relevant department, school, institute or center, and countersigned by the person sponsoring the individual, the applicable department chair, director, and dean or executive vice president. Directions for submittal are included in the link above. Please contact your HR Department with questions regarding this process. EH&S does not need a copy of the registration. 

Activities with minors must be registered with the Protection of Minors Office prior to the start date of the activity. This includes all activities, not only laboratory visits. Please contact the Protection of Minors Office with questions regarding this process. EH&S does not need a copy of the registration. 

All visitors must complete any required safety orientation/training applicable to the spaces and activities they will enter/perform.  

  1. Hands on Laboratory Activities (High School – Adult): The PI or Lab Manager should use the Training Finder to identify courses required for the specific activities your visitor will be performing in your laboratory. The Principal Investigator/Laboratory Manager is responsible for keeping the training certificates on record. EH&S does not need a copy.
  2. Observation Only Activities More Than One Day (Middle School-High School): The visitor should be sent the following links based on the activities to be observed during the visit prior to entering the laboratory. This may be done by sending the visitors the link prior to the visit or showing the courses as a group during orientation. A QR code will capture compliance for completing the courses. The Principal Investigator/Laboratory Manager may request a compliance report by sending a roster and a deadline date to [email protected].
  1. Observation Only Activities for One Day (Middle School-High School): Prior to entering the laboratory for observation, laboratory staff must review the Walk Through/Observation slide with all observers. EH&S suggests keeping a record of showing the slide to observers but does not need a copy of the record. 

Please ensure all visitors have access to and always wear appropriate attire and PPE for the activities engaging, including the following required PPE:  

  • Closed toe shoes and long pants, or equivalent (as required by your lab policy) 
  • Safety glasses or goggles (when required by the task/space) 
  • Lab coat and gloves as appropriate for the activity   

Please note that visitors may only participate in activities that align with the training completed and the supervision plan.  

Thank you for helping ensure a safe and compliant experience for all visitors. Please reach out with any questions about training requirements to [email protected] or PPE expectations to [email protected].