[labnetwork] After-hours work in cleanroom and laboratories

[Dennis Grimard]

John:

I think an important part of this liability and safety equation is making sure that the users know they are alone (our labs are so big it is easy to not realize you are alone ... And even with a buddy system accidents could go undetected even with a buddy).

UM follows a buddy system after hours for wet chemistry ... However it is difficult to enforce.  We have no restrictions for using tools after hours toxic or otherwise.

What we are doing to improve our performance in this areas:

1) more cameras
2) large name tags on the back of the suit (identification)
3) a new MOU with the policy clearly laid out
4) lights on benches which light up when the number of people in the lab drops to one (they can never claim they did not know they were alone and it is easier to enforce since you can easily see the light on or off and any user at a bench).

We find that the nighttime is a free for all and many serious violations occur however we also feel that it is manageable.  However, we must strive to continuously improve safety and compliance after hours.

We are also considering closing the lab after hours if we can't get to a satisfactory place safety wise.

Dennis S Grimard, Ph.D.
Managing Director
Lurie Nanofabrication Facility
1246D EECS Bldg
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48103

(734) 368-7172 Cell

> On Nov 20, 2013, at 8:40 AM, "Weaver, John R" <jrweaver at purdue.edu> wrote:
> 
> 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
> nano.purdue.edu
>  
>  
>  
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