Reminder: summer student researchers must complete lab safety training, obtain medical clearance

Mentored summer research experiences provide tremendous learning opportunities for students wishing to participate in laboratory research.  University Policy requires that all individuals, including summer research students, engaged in research laboratory activities must complete and have an up-to-date annual laboratory safety training and have medical clearance from Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP) before performing any research activities.

If you are planning to host a summer research student, please make sure that the student has completed laboratory safety training and processed their ROHP paperwork as soon as possible. If you have existing approved IBC or IACUC protocols, please also make sure that an amendment is submitted to add the student to the approved protocol. Students must have a valid laboratory safety training and medical clearance before engaging in any research activities. We recommend that you initiate this process at least 4 weeks in advance so that clearances are achieved before the student arrives and their time in the lab is not impacted.

• Laboratory Safety Training: Laboratory safety training can be completed through the BioRAFT website. Typically, students will need to take the Laboratory Safety Training and Biosafety Level 1 & 2 Training courses and pass the quiz. Depending on the nature of the laboratory research the students will undertake, additional training may be required.

• ROHP clearance: Please download the Initial Health Questionnaire (if the student has never completed this form) or the Annual Health Questionnaire (if the student has submitted this information previously as it relates to the IHQ previously submitted). If the student is going to be doing research in a different lab, an Initial Health Questionnaire will need to be completed.  The PI is responsible for completing Part A of the form regarding general information of the lab and the type of biological exposure the student will encounter. The student should enter his/her personal information then email the completed form to the ROHP at rohp@bu.edu.

The IBC, IACUC and ROHP offices will process these applications as quickly as feasible. If you have any questions, please contact the IBC at ibc@bu.edu (617-638-4531), the IACUC at iacuc@bu.edu (617-638-4515) or the ROHP at rohp@bu.edu (617-414-7647).

Please note, unpaid summer research students must also meet the Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) standards for unpaid positions and sign both the volunteer agreement and patent policy.  A volunteer request can be submitted through Human Resources (http://www.bu.edu/hr/manager-resources/volunteers/). Please contact the Human Resources (HR) Service Center at hr@bu.edu or 617-353-2389 if you have any specific questions about the DOL’s guidelines.

The University Policy on Minors in Laboratories requires that all summer research students who are under the age of 18 or are not matriculated in a university program provide a work permit that has been signed by the school district’s superintendent and parent or guardian.

As stated in the University Protection of Minors Policy, faculty or staff who will have direct and unmonitored contact with minors will need a CORI/SORI check and should contact the HR Service Center to submit background check paperwork. If your program includes work with Minors, the HR Business Partner assigned to your school, college or unit (http://www.bu.edu/hr/home/contacts/#contacts_table) can assist with questions about the Protection of Minors Policy.

Thank you for your commitment to ensuring a safe and compliant research community at Boston University!

The Institutional Biosafety Committee, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and the Laboratory Safety Committee