Protofab Rules
Summary
While working in the OASIS Prototyping facility, Protofab, you are surrounded by electro-mechanical systems, gases and chemicals. It is impossible to define a policy for every conceivable situation.
The responsibility lies with users and staff to act in a professional, courteous, and safe manner at all times while in the facility. The Protofab culture relies on self-discipline to follow policies, respect for each other, and careful considerate treatment of facility property that is needed for project success. Everyone’s work is equally important and the basic rule of treating others how you would like to be treated sets the framework for many policies in the facility. As a group we expect all users and staff to help maintain the safety and integrity of the Protofab. All users should employ common sense and a high degree of prudence while working in this facility. Users violating the operating and safety rules of the facility or endangering the safety of themselves or other users may be denied further access to the facility.
This document attempts to define acceptable actions and behavior for the users of the Protofab and contains extensive safety related information on work practices and procedures within the facility.
General Protofab Information
Orientation and Initial Training: All new users must take the initial fundamentals of laboratory safety course offered through the UC learning center. There are mandatory general orientation and training that is required. Contact the facility manager to request access.
Access: Is 24/7. However, the OASIS building is electronically locked all the time. Users will receive a FOB for entry and will be signed up on Card Access System. Always scan in when entering the facility and scan out when exiting, when attending training sessions or performing beneficial work. Visitors are exempt from this rule. Violation of this policy will result in suspension. This policy is both for safety (knowing who is in the lab in case of emergencies) and for fair, accurate billing of facility resources.
Visitor Policy
● Badges: Visitor badges can be obtained from the staff during the normal weekday hours which removes any confusion about the shadowing of another user without logging in. As a nonpaying person, a visitor can’t touch any equipment or computer. We offer this policy as a courtesy so please do not abuse it as it can also be removed.
● Shadowing: We encourage new users to shadow current users as visitors to become familiar with the Protofab before beginning actual work. To accomplish this, registered users may come in as visitors, with a badge, to observe and learn how processes are done. A logged-in user and visitor may not exchange roles while in the cleanroom together. Only the actively logged-in user may operate/touch/use any equipment in the laboratory. No exceptions.
● Visiting Professionals: Non-registered visitors such as research collaborators or new students in a research group can be brought into the facility to observe with the permission of staff during normal operating hours (8am-5pm M-F). Off-hours permission to bring in professional visitors will be evaluated on request by the management.
● Groups: Any “group” tour (3 or more people) inside the facility needs prior approval of the management. Please allocate ample time when requesting.
● Violations: The Protofab relies on the honor system and the visitor “observation only” policy is clear. If users are caught violating the visitor policy and operating anything in the facility while being a visitor, there will be corrective action for both the official user host and the visitor.