Visitor Policy

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Access to university laboratories, workshops, and other areas housing hazardous chemicals, physical agents, or machinery is limited to trained and authorized OSU employees. Prior to entry, it is the responsibility of the host to contact the appropriate department or facility. The host must ensure that those entering any of these areas are adequately protected from hazards and are informed about the safety and emergency procedures relevant to their activities. 

 

Minors are not permitted in hazardous work areas with the exception of university or department sanctioned tours and visits. In these instances, the tour leader or other knowledgeable personnel must exervise careful supervision. Minors are never authorized to use radioactive materials or x-rays. The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) should be consulted before tours of such laboratories by minors. This policy doese not apply to minors who are enrolled as OSU students.

 

Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the appropriate college and university officials and must be documented by written agreements such as a Memorandum of Agreement or a Sponsored Research Agreement. Exceptions include cooperative use of university facilities and equipment by university or corporate researchers or visiting scholars.

 

If visitors will be performing laboratory work or working within a laboratory space, they must receive qualified laboratory safety and departmental training prior to use of the space.