[labnetwork] After Hours Policies - Wet Processing

[Noah Clay]

Michael,

We allow working with the chemistries listed below after hours and with a buddy.  During staff hours, a buddy is not required.  Fortunately, all of the low/high pH work is confined to one bay in our fab and, with HD cameras, enforcing the buddy system is relatively straightforward.

The requirement for a buddy is simply that they're a trained user who must be in the fab at all times while work is in process.  We do not require that they shadow the person conducting work.  Staff hours are posted during orientation and holiday/buddy reminders are broadcast through email and on a flat screen in the gowning area.  So, our users are hopefully respecting and aware of when a buddy is required.

Best,
Noah

Noah Clay
Director, Quattrone Nanofabrication Facility
University of Pennsylvania 

> On Sep 29, 2016, at 15:30, Michael Hume <michael.hume at ualberta.ca> wrote:
> 
> Dear Colleagues, 
> 
> We are in the process of re-evaluating our after-hours policies, specifically in regards to wet chemical processing (eg. HF/BOE/KOH/TMAH/Piranha cleaning). Historically, we have not allowed these processes after hours, primarily due to safety concerns. That said, as demand within our facility grows, and the competence of our user base increases, the question has been raised as to why these processes can't be performed within a framework of proper procedures to ensure user safety (eg. buddy system, etc..)
> 
> I am interested in the general approach of other facilities. Does anyone allow these processes? Does anyone forbid them? In either case what is the general reasoning for your decision? If you do allow them, what sort of protocols or policies do you have in place to provide a safe working environment?
> 
> Any feedback you may have is much appreciated!
> 
> Regards,
> 
> -- 
> Michael Hume
> Operations Manager
> University of Alberta - nanoFAB
> W1-060 ECERF Building
> 9107 - 116 Street
> Edmonton, Alberta
> Canada T6G 2V4 		        
> www.nanofab.ualberta.ca	Ph: 587-879-1519
> _______________________________________________
> labnetwork mailing list
> labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu
> https://www-mtl.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo.cgi/labnetwork
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://mtl.mit.edu/pipermail/labnetwork/attachments/20160929/d1c7fbe3/attachment.html>