UNBC has a strong research culture, and values non-traditional learning opportunities for students and other interested groups.  Many principal investigators (PI) provide lab and research experience opportunities to undergraduates, recent graduates, and community members.  The benefits to this are two-fold: the PI receives extra help, and the volunteer gains valuable experience.

There are some legal complexities and safety requirements to having volunteers in a laboratory in addition to the technical aspects.  The PI is responsible for providing training and taking steps to ensure the safety of the volunteer.  The University, in some cases, requires that the volunteer relationship be formalized (for insurance purposes), and the guardian's permission must be obtained for minors.  This page has been developed to clarify these requirements.

Type of Laboratory Volunteers

UNBC students, students from other post-secondary institutions, or community members:

• Safety orientation to the lab space (provided by the PI or designate)
• UNBC Volunteer Form
• Student Lab Safety Orientation (SLSO)
• Laboratory Safety & Methodology Orientation (if the person will be assigned keys, perform work that is not directly supervised, or generate lab wastes)

High school students or minors (non-UNBC students) working under direct supervision:

• There are additional requirements for minors to work in labs.  Please contact Safety & Risk Management for details.

For more information, please contact Safety & Risk Management (250-960-5530).