[labnetwork] After Hours Policies - Wet Processing

[Mark Walters, Ph.D.]

Our policy is similar to the one Noah has for Univ. Penn.    We do allow processing of those chemicals after hours and on weekends as long as a buddy is present in the lab.   We also have cameras that monitor each of our wet hoods.  In addition, we close our cleanroom at 12 midnight and do not allow anyone to be in the cleanroom between 12 midnight and 7am.   Their cards will not open the cleanroom doors during these hours, and the cameras are motion sensitive and will automatically save and email me a video clip if they are triggered between 12am-7am.    We’ve found this to be a good compromise between allowing more working hours in the cleanroom to keep up with demand, while still preventing potential safety and misuse issues that could arise from people working in the lab in the middle of the night.   Our characterization and imaging labs outside of the cleanroom are available 24/7.

Mark D. Walters, Ph.D.
Director, Shared Materials Instrumentation Facility (SMIF)
Duke University
Box 90271
Durham, NC 27708-0271
http://smif.lab.duke.edu<blocked::http://smif.lab.duke.edu/>
Phone: (919) 660-5486
Fax: (919) 660-5491



From: labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu [mailto:labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu] On Behalf Of Noah Clay
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2016 6:13 PM
To: Michael Hume <michael.hume at ualberta.ca>
Cc: labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu
Subject: Re: [labnetwork] After Hours Policies - Wet Processing

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<mailto: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<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.nanofab.ualberta.ca_&d=CwMFaQ&c=imBPVzF25OnBgGmVOlcsiEgHoG1i6YHLR0Sj_gZ4adc&r=gvv6dYOINYTa_8sGGxt0Quk26iI0lmER7JBdo7ZXxvA&m=03jHlmg52vth35E34ikgbwydsmiDkD7rubj7nPmDdN4&s=jcW0oEXEfABs4fDvA3poPpH7KDch_utVoAE0GlNDKNw&e=> Ph: 587-879-1519
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