Visitor information

Visitor information for contractors, users and visitors

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General Information

  • All visitors must make an appointment with a sponsor prior to arrival. 
  • Appointments are verified upon arriving at the Yates or Ross Gate.
  • Parking and check in information will be provided by Security at the Yates or Ross Gate.
  • A REAL Identification (ID) Compliant Document – a government-issued identification that provides proof of identity – is required to check in at the Front Desk in the Yates Administration Building. (How do I know if my license or identification card is REAL ID compliant?) Alternative forms of identification may include:
    • A state-issued "Enhanced" driver's license may be an alternative for residents from Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, or Washington
    • US Passport or Passport Card
    • Permanent Resident Card
    • Non-U.S. citizens must present a valid passport or Permanent Resident Card
    • Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) Personal Identification Verification (PIV) Card

Sponsors

Sponsors are SURF personnel that include SDSTA employees, project and experiment managers, or users who serve as a point of contact for individuals, groups or agencies visiting SURF. The sponsor is the host and responsible party for visitors during their time on site. 

For visitors attending meetings

  1. When attending a meeting at the Yates Complex (Administration Building or Education & Outreach Building), stop at the Yates Main Gate/Guard House to acknowledge your arrival. You will be directed to check in either at the Yates Administration Building Front Desk or sign in at the meeting location. If you are issued a visitor card, turn it in before you leave. 
  2. When attending a meeting at the Ross Complex, STOP at the Ross Main Gate. If there is no staff present, please do not enter. Call your sponsor.

SDSTA/SURF contractors

A contractor is an individual or group not employed by the SDSTA but contracted or authorized to perform work on-site. Construction contractors must check in at the Yates or Ross guard house each day.

Vendor Registration Guidelines

Fermilab/LBNF contractors

You must complete the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL) ID process, prior to arriving at SURF. Call (605) 722-8650 or visit the FNAL website for more information.

Training Information

Environment, Safety and Health (ESH) training classifications are:

  • SURF Orientation Training is required for any person performing work on the surface or underground. This training is provided at 7:30 a.m. Monday-Friday unless the facility is closed due to weather or holidays.
  • General Safety Basic (GSB) training is required for any person performing more than 40 hours work on the surface or underground (in addition to SURF Orientation Training). Class is provided monthly by SURF. GSB training typically starts at 8 a.m.
  • Annual Refresher Training, job-task or site-specific training for people working at SURF is conducted by the contractor's employer, researcher's sponsor, the Science Liaison Office or Environment, Safety and Health (ESH) staff.

Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center

The Sanford Underground Research Facility does not provide public tours. However, the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, 160 West Main Street in Lead, offers seasonal trolley tours of Lead, a drive through our surface campus and a guided visit to the Yates Shaft Hoistroom. For more information, contact the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center at (605) 584-3110.

Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center