[labnetwork] [BULK] [EXTERNAL] earbud/earphone use in facility/cleanroom

Wed Jul 8 19:13:37 EDT 2026

We allow both headphones and earbuds for the purpose of noise cancellation. We have strong advocates for hearing protection in our group, and OSHA-accepted levels are one thing, but they don't address fatigue from the constant 70-75 dB hum of the lab.

Straight from our Lab Manual:

The background noise levels in labs are well within OSHA limits for 8 hours of continuous exposure.  However, many staff and labmembers find it more comfortable to work using noise cancelling headphones or ear buds. Disposable foam ear plugs are provided for lab use.  While hearing protection is highly encouraged, please make sure you are still able to hear alarms and other people in the lab (do not use headphones for entertainment.)

...

Carsen

Carsen Kline
Lab Operations Manager
Stanford Nanofabrication Facility
(650)724-8214
https://snf.stanford.edu<http://snf.stanford.edu/>

________________________________
From: labnetwork <labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu> on behalf of Michael Helmbrecht <mhelmbrecht at berkeley.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, July 8, 2026 8:44 AM
To: Jacob T. Trevino <jt2900 at columbia.edu>
Cc: Network Fab <labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu>
Subject: Re: [labnetwork] [BULK] [EXTERNAL] earbud/earphone use in facility/cleanroom

Hi all, No headphones, earbuds allowed in our lab. We have also had a recent experience where a lab member did not hear a toxic gas alarm. We are also concerned by distractions and general lack of awareness. We do not allow phone use or conference

Hi all,

No headphones, earbuds allowed in our lab. We have also had a recent experience where a lab member did not hear a toxic gas alarm.

We are also concerned by distractions and general lack of awareness. We do not allow phone use or conference calls around the equipment. (Exceptions for a conference call to repair a piece of equipment or for remote teamwork related to the tool.)

One ear bud or bone-conduction seams like a decent compromise.

Best,
Michael

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Helmbrecht, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Berkeley Marvell Nanofabrication Laboratory
520 Sutardja Dai Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720
(510) 809-8620
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On Wed, Jul 8, 2026 at 7:58 AM Jacob T. Trevino <jt2900 at columbia.edu<mailto:jt2900 at columbia.edu>> wrote:
Hi All,

We allow in-ear headphones (no over-ear headphones), but ask them to only wear one so that they can still hear the environment around them.

Best,
Jacob

-------------------------------------
Jacob Trevino, PhD
Senior Director, Columbia Nano Initiative Labs
Columbia University
530 W120th Street, Room 1015/MC 8903
New York, NY 10027
Email: jt2900 at columbia.edu<mailto:jt2900 at columbia.edu>
Cell: 734-787-2171
Desk: 212-854-9927
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On Wed, Jul 8, 2026 at 7:52 AM Ahad Syed <ahad.syed at kaust.edu.sa<mailto:ahad.syed at kaust.edu.sa>> wrote:
Hello Fubo, About 18 months ago, we had an incident where a user didn't hear the fire alarm because they were wearing noise-cancelling earbuds. They were so focused on their work (and music) that they didn't notice either the audible alarm or

Hello Fubo,
About 18 months ago, we had an incident where a user didn't hear the fire alarm because they were wearing noise-cancelling earbuds. They were so focused on their work (and music) that they didn't notice either the audible alarm or the flashing lights.
Following that incident, we decided to ban all types of headphones and earbuds in the Cleanroom.
All the best,
Ahad

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Nanofabrication Core Lab
4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
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From: labnetwork <labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu<mailto:labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu>> on behalf of Fubo Rao <furao at ucsd.edu<mailto:furao at ucsd.edu>>
Sent: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 9:12 PM
To: Network Fab <labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu<mailto:labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu>>
Subject: [BULK] [EXTERNAL] [labnetwork] earbud/earphone use in facility/cleanroom

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Dear Colleagues,

Do you ban, regulate, or allow your users to wear earbuds or earphones in your facility, especially in the Cleanroom?

Thanks,

Fubo Rao, Ph.D.,
Nano3 Technical Director,
Qualcomm Institute/Atkinson Hall,
UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive #0436
La Jolla, CA 92093-0436
Tel. (858)534-4518
Cell: (858)375-9190
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