D8 (234A Regents Hall):

Schedule – Only one user is allowed in the instrument room at a time. This means only fully trained, independent users may run experiments. There will be no training by me until restrictions are relaxed.

We will continue with the normal schedule where each group has assigned days of the week. Only one user is allowed in the instrument room at a time. It is the responsibility of the research group to determine which group member will use the instrument.

As always, communication between users is key to having a schedule that runs smoothly and avoids user overlap. One challenge that still needs to be addressed is data processing after the collection has finished. I’m looking into options for remote computer access or at least automatic upload of the raw data which could then be processed remotely, I’ll test out some options upon restarting.

PPE – 1. Mask required at all times when inside the instrument room to minimize potential contamination of the shared space.

2. Gloves required at all times when inside the instrument room. For handling of chemicals users should wear ‘lab gloves’ (nitrile, latex, etc.; typical PPE for a chemistry lab). For everything else, fresh ‘non-lab gloves’ (polyethylene, nitrile, latex, etc.; could be cheaper non-chemistry gloves) must be worn to minimize contamination of the shared space.

***Please note, ‘lab gloves’ should never be worn when touching common items (computer, pen, etc.) to avoid chemical contamination of common surfaces per typical chemical hygiene protocol.***

Cleaning – 1. Frequently touched surfaces (computer mouse, keyboard, pens, door handles, etc.) will be wiped down daily (M-F) by Jeff with an appropriate disinfectant solution.

2. Disinfectant solution will be provided near the shared instruments so users can wipe down surfaces before/after use. All users must wipe down the frequently touched surfaces in the lab (please see the SOP for more details).

3. Everyone must remove all samples/vials/waste of any kind from the X-ray lab after each use. This includes cleaning the sample holders that were used. This will reduce the potential for contamination from user to user and make is easier to disinfect the surfaces. Clutter will be kept to an absolute minimum.

Ramp-Down Plan – The instruments can all be safely shut down in a matter of hours if conditions necessitate a research shut down again.

Other – If an issue arises that requires Jeff’s attention, the user must provide a detailed description by email/phone/text. If possible, Jeff will try to instruct the user to fix the problem. If it cannot be resolved remotely, the user must leave the X-ray lab so Jeff can enter the room and address the issue. The user will be notified when the instrument is operational again.

A sign-in sheet will be posted at the door to each lab in order to keep a record of who enters each lab and when. This is completely separate from any instrument log books or project sheets typically filled out by the users. This would provide documentation that only one user is in each instrument room at a time as well as provide an easily accessible and traceable ‘contact list’ in the event that at some point a user test positive for COVID-19. Example:

First Name

Last Name

Net Id

Date

Time in

Time out

Purpose of the visit

Jeff

Bertke

Jb2667

6/9/2020

7:20am

7:50am

Disinfecting Surfaces FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL RESEARCHERS, ANYONE FOUND VIOLATING THE NEW INSTRUMENT GUIDELINES WILL LOSE INSTRUMENT PRIVILEGES IMMEDIATELY.