[labnetwork] After-hours work in cleanroom and laboratories

[Leif Johansen]

Hello John,

At DTU Danchip we are in principle open 24/7, but working with hazardous wet chemistry (HF and the likes) is only allowed if someone else is around. Some tools with hazardous gases, like LPCVD furnaces, are not allowed to be used from 6 PM to 8 AM. Other tools, like PECVDs with silane and diborane gasses may be run any time. We rely on a rather large fire warning and extinction system plus a Honeywell gas alarm system, both of which automatically call the fire brigade.

In case of a fire alarm, a gas alarm or just a technical alarm (e.g. gas bottle empty), a selected number of staff members also receive an SMS. DTU Campus Services also monitor the BMS system.

The biggest risk is most probably that an inexperienced user does something stupid while nobody is around to stop him. We do have video surveillance of the entire cleanroom, and records are kept for one month, but it is no guarantee that people will always behave in a proper manner. We do our very best to train new users before they are given access to the cleanroom.

We have had very few incidents over the past twenty years, none of which have been serious.

Best regards,

Leif



From: labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu [mailto:labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu] On Behalf Of Weaver, John R
Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 2:41 PM
To: labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu
Subject: [labnetwork] After-hours work in cleanroom and laboratories

Due to some headcount reductions we are re-thinking our after-hours lab work. Previously we had trained "lab attendants" who watched over things until midnight, then required the "buddy system" after that. Now we are looking at just using the buddy system after 5:00 pm.

How do you handle things in your facility? Are you happy with the results?

Thanks in advance,
John

John R. Weaver
Facility Manager
Birck Nanotechnology Center
1205 West State Street
West Lafayette IN 47907
(765) 494-5494
jrweaver at purdue.edu<mailto:jrweaver at purdue.edu>
nano.purdue.edu



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