[labnetwork] Cleanroom training policies + COVID guidelines

Thu Dec 17 16:38:56 EST 2020

Hello all,

Another update, from our experience at UMichigan LNF.
- we have recently resumed in-person training (first staff-user only, and
more recently user-user), in addition to enhanced documentation/virtual
efforts (wiki pages, SOPs, online webinars, virtual training modules, zoom
sessions etc). Face shields are worn in addition to the face masks for
these sessions. We've used voice amplifiers to help with volume of
conversations when needed (for now only used by staff).
- our University Office of Research has a process in place to request
"proximity exemption for in-person training" which we applied for (and
received). As part of that, we require our users to "announce" these
in-person user-user sessions - we have a ticket system that we can use for
tracking - and we currently see about 40 per week.
- with this in place, we (slowly) resumed intake and training of new users
- face coverings / face masks are required on University campus (even
outside).
- only our face masks are allowed in the lab, users have to change from
their personal face mask to the ones that we provide as part of the gowning
process. We have a maximum of 2 people in the gowning area but have also
introduced a minimum 2 min interval between entries to avoid people being
too close.
- distancing inside the cleanroom is done by requiring users to reserve
single-occupancy areas: we have about 40 such areas for our 13,500sq.ft. of
lab space accessible by users, but the typical max occupancy for the lab is
rarely above 20 people or so
- there is no mandatory testing program at the University for the
researchers or staff. We've had positive cases on campus but haven't really
seen any significant in-lab transmission, from what I am aware of.

Thanks!
Sandrine

On Wed, Dec 16, 2020 at 9:36 PM Chito Kendrick <cekendri at mtu.edu> wrote:

> For all training at MTU I started generating complete training videos the
> user could study and be quizzed on. The students could also use this while
> using the system and zooming with me if required. I know this does not work
> for all systems, but helped get some users trained with complete isolation.
> Also might not work for complete novices.
>
> Chito Kendrick
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On 17/12/2020, at 11:47 AM, Hollingshead, David <hollingshead.19 at osu.edu>
> wrote:
>
> 
>
> Hi Jim,
>
>
>
> We have started to do training on some pieces of equipment and been mostly
> successful so far. Our previous protocol usually involved an initial
> training session (sometimes grouped with 1-2 others trainees) to see the
> equipment use through a typical run. This was followed by a check-off
> session supervised by the tool owner with the user running one of their own
> samples through the system. This required a lot of close contact of course
> and was sometimes unnecessarily complex.
>
>
>
> Our new training guidelines mostly follow the model below, although there
> are slight variations based on the specific tool:
>
>    1. Viewing a video recording of a typical run. This is most often
>    scripted right off of the initial trainings sessions we originally provided
>    in person. The users are also asked to read-through our op specs for the
>    tool during this time.
>    2. The next step is most often a 30 minute video chat with the tool
>    owner. This is a combination of a knowledge check, a Q&A session, and a
>    brief process review to see if there is anything specific to their process
>    that the video or op spec may not have covered.
>    3. A socially distanced check off session. The goal here is to limit
>    any close contact, although realistically this rule gets bent sometimes
>    depending on the comfort levels of the staff and users.
>       1. For the check off we have had the users run a “standard” process
>       rather than their own sample. They are given a rough checklist to follow
>       with break points on any steps where the staff member would need to
>       physically check any positioning, parameters, etc. While the user is
>       running the staff is usually within sight distance and available if needed,
>       but is otherwise hands-off. Whenever a break point is reached the user
>       calls over the staff member for a check and then the process continues.
>
>
>
> For the most part this has worked well. It is obviously much more
> conducive to some processes than others. Training on our maskless aligner,
> evaporators, PECVD, and etchers, have all worked out well. Things like
> photolithography, wet chemical work, SEM, etc. have been slower to turn on
> because they often require much more interaction and are more difficult
> while remaining distanced. We have considered doing live zoom/phone calls
> to enable remote communication live during a training or checkoff but have
> not implemented it to a large degree yet.
>
>
>
> By far the biggest challenge is communication in the cleanroom. It is
> quite loud and we have found that even routine conversations end up being
> shouted from a close distance in order to effectively be heard. That is why
> we have moved as much as we can remotely and also tried to even limit
> interactions or question & answer during the in-person checkoff. The
> beneficial (in my opinion) side effect of this is that it forces the users
> to be much more self-reliant during the checkoff. Instead of simply turning
> to the staff member and being guided through the process they must know or
> be able to find the information they need themselves. In my opinion this
> will make them much more effective lab users overall since the vast
> majority of their processing time is going to be independent of staff
> intervention.
>
>
>
> -Dave
>
>
>
> *From:* labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu <labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu> *On
> Behalf Of *Vlahakis, James
> *Sent:* Wednesday, December 16, 2020 14:10
> *To:* Iulian Codreanu <codreanu at udel.edu>; labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu
> *Subject:* Re: [labnetwork] Cleanroom training policies + COVID guidelines
>
>
>
> This conversation has been very helpful, thank you to those who have
> posted their thoughts/experiences.
>
>
>
> Iulian’s comment was particularly interesting -
>
> *During training both the trainer and the trainee also wear face shields
> (the type we use for acid work at the fume hoods).*
>
>
>
> Here at Tufts we are unable to train new users – adhering to our COVID
> guidelines while training users is not possible. It would be useful to
> understand what others are doing so a few questions for the group – Are you
> providing in-lab training? If so, what accommodations are in place? Do you
> have defined metrics for tightening or loosening restrictions?
>
>
>
> If I can present plan(s) that other universities have successfully
> employed perhaps I can convince our OVPR to permit certain training
> functions
>
>
>
> jim
>
>
>
> *From:* labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu <labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu> *On
> Behalf Of *Iulian Codreanu
> *Sent:* Wednesday, December 16, 2020 10:26 AM
> *To:* labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu
> *Subject:* Re: [labnetwork] Question about cleanroom mask policies
>
>
>
> Hi Robert,
>
> At Delaware we ask the users to bring their personal face mask (they have
> to wear it to enter the building anyway) to the gowning room and cover it
> with a beard cover. This has worked well since we re-opened in the middle
> of June; the face mask is meant to help with the virus and the beard cover
> with the lab cleanliness. During training both the trainer and the trainee
> also wear face shields (the type we use for acid work at the fume hoods).
>
> Happy Holidays to Everyone!
>
> Iulian
>
> iulian Codreanu, Ph.D.
>
> Director, Nanofabrication Facility
>
> University of Delaware
>
> Harker ISE Lab, Room 163
>
> 221 Academy Street
>
> Newark, DE 19716
>
> 302-831-2784
>
> http://udnf.udel.edu <https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/udnf.udel.edu__;!!KGKeukY!jQbNVO-JRmC_zNbAtqxobNLNd7GlVG6O0xs0xkEHvNpF2HlUfWgHOl2lYt2FICk3Pwk8dg$>
>
> On 12/16/2020 3:07 AM, Shimon Eliav wrote:
>
> Hi Robert,
>
>
>
> When we returned to work after the first lock-down, we asked ourselves
> what to do regarding masks/face covers.
>
> Then I did a very simple experiment to check by myself how effective is a
> face-cover to contain the particles we generate during normal respiration
> or talking. See attached summary.
>
>
>
> Today our policy is: every user comes with his/her own mask and must put
> the face cover over it. This “two layers” solution is more than enough
> inside the clean room (plus as much distancing is possible).
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
>
>
> Shimon
>
> The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
>
> The Unit for Nano Fabrication
>
> Jerusalem - Israel
>
>
>
> *From:* labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu [
> mailto:labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu <labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu>] *On
> Behalf Of *Robert Vandusen
> *Sent:* Tuesday, 15 December 2020 19:29
> *To:* labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu
> *Subject:* [labnetwork] Question about cleanroom mask policies
>
>
>
> Hi all.
>
> Hope this finds everyone safe.
>
> Now that N95s are starting to become a bit more accessible, there has been
> some recent discussion within our labs about whether to adopt an N95 mask
> policy for new users and when distancing is a challenge.
>
> So far we have just been wearing the standard cleanroom style masks.
>
> Just wondering what other labs have been using.
>
>
>
> Thanks
>
> Robert Vandusen
> Technical Officer, Microfabrication Lab
> Electronics Department
> Carleton University
> room: 4184 Mackenzie Building
> 613-520-2600 ext 5761
> Robert_vandusen at cunet.carleton.ca
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 

Sandrine Martin, Ph.D.

University of Michigan

LNF Managing Director

1246D EECS, 1301 Beal Ave

Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Cell 734-277-2365

Fax 734-647-1781

www.LNF.umich.edu <http://www.lnf.umich.edu/>

@LurieNanofab
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