UAB does not employ anyone under 14 years of age in any capacity. Individuals working in the Hospital must be at least 18 years of age. UAB Human Resources maintains a Class I and Class II Child Labor Certificate for employing minors ages 14 to 17 years of age (these certificates replace the need for individual work permits).

The Fair Labor Standards Act prohibits minors (persons under the age of 18) from engaging in any of the 17 FLSA prohibited occupations. These expressly include: driving a motor vehicle and being an outside helper on a motor vehicle; power-driven woodworking machines; exposure to radioactive substances; power-driven hoisting apparatus; power-driven metal-forming punching; and shearing machines; power-driven paper product machines; including scrap paper bailers and paper box compactors; power-driven circular saws, band saws, and guillotine shears; roofing operations and all work on or about a roof. For a complete listing of prohibited occupations, visit http://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/43child-labor-non-agrculture. 

While these statutory hazards are limited, UAB's liability may not be limited to these positions which might reasonably be considered dangerous. Consequently, caution should be exercised when employing anyone under the age of 18 in occupations where there might be a greater than normal risk of injury or exposure to illness, e.g., working around dangerous chemicals, handling/feeding laboratory animals, working in direct patient care, operating power driven/gas powered equipment, etc. Anyone under the age of 18 employed in or around potentially hazardous areas or visiting in or around potentially hazardous areas should be under strict supervision at all times.

Prospective appointments in any laboratory, patient care or potentially hazardous area of persons under the age of 18, whether regular, temporary or irregular and whether paid from Payroll or by non-recurring element, should be cleared with the Department of Environmental Health and Safety and the Office of Human Resources.

Detailed instruction on the approval process and documentation needed to employ a minor in a lab or hazardous area can be found at Employing Minors Request for Clearance Form and Instructions. 

The policy which addresses non-compensated minors (volunteers or visitors) falls under the scope of the Minors in Laboratories and Animal Facilities. For more information contact the Office of the Vice President for Research.

POLICIES/DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR MINORS