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In order to promote fair laboratory
practices, prevent costly instrument damage, and ensure
user safety, the Physical Biochemistry Instrumentation
Facility will offer user training and certification
on all equipment under its control. Qualification is
MANDATORY – all persons wishing to use
Facility equipment MUST successfully complete
outlined training requirements set forth by the Facility
Manager. The basic outline for qualification includes
but is not limited by the following guidelines:
1. Prospective users must
submit a Training
Request Form outlining the instruments desired
for qualification, applications for which the instrument
will be used, description of samples to be run, disclosure
of potential health or safety hazards, and account
information for billing purposes. Training courses
will ideally be conducted for a minimum of 2 students
per session. Special arrangements for training may
be entertained at the discretion of the Facility Manager,
Director, and Faculty Executive Committee.
2. In addition to training
forms, a signed copy of the Facility Release Form
MUST be obtained before any training commences.
This form (included in the Facility handbook and on this
web site) ensures the prospective user has read and
understood the Facility’s policies regarding
rules, regulations, safety, reporting of accidents
or instrument misuse, malfunctioning equipment, etc.
The form must be signed by the user as well as the
Faculty sponsor.
3. Once the necessary paperwork
has been filed with the Facility Manager, a mutually
agreeable time will be arranged for training sessions.
The user should become familiar with operational basics
by reading the instrument training booklet before
the session begins. At this time, the Facility Manager
will train the user to operate equipment properly
and will remind the user of his / her responsibilities
regarding data backup, cleanliness, safety, and appropriate
procedures for reserving instrument time. After a
number of sessions to be determined by the Manager,
the user will be deemed qualified to operate the instrument
under initial supervision, and once proficiency has
been established, unsupervised.
4. The user will be given
a Facility account on the computer controlling the
instrument(s) upon which he / she has been certified,
and will be authorized to conduct research as needed.
Facility computer systems will be networked, allowing
users to freely transfer data to their office computers.
Note that DATA BACKUP IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF
THE USER and Facility personnel cannot be held
responsible for integrity of data left on computers
within the Facility after the user has logged out.
As a courtesy, every effort will be made to notify
equipment users before hard drives are cleared, but
computers within the Facility are meant for instrument
control and data collection only, not long term data
storage. Most instruments are equipped with CD burners
for user convenience.
Workshops and Seminars:
Throughout the year, the Facility will offer occasional
seminars and workshops designed to increase awareness
about our capabilities and also to provide key tips
and tricks for users so they may receive maximum benefit
from the equipment housed in the laboratory. Once annually,
the Facility Manager will organize a User’s Meeting
to obtain feedback and address issues or concerns. All
events will be posted in advance within the Facility
and will be distributed to all registered users via
e-mail.
Researchers with keys for after hours
entry accept all responsibility for proper use, as outlined
in the Physical Biochemistry Instrumentation Facility
policies and guidelines. Failure to abide by Facility
regulations will result in loss of key and / or instrument
privileges. Users who are approved by the Facility Manager
for after hours key access to the laboratory must follow
the guidelines set out below:
a. User acknowledges that
key access is restricted ONLY to the user.
Under no circumstances should a user grant Facility
access to unregistered or unqualified persons.
b. User understands that
the key is property of Indiana University and will
be solely responsible for all costs associated with
lost keys or replacements.
c. After hours, it is the
responsibility of the user to confirm that Facility
doors are properly locked upon departure. A user found
to be negligent in this regard will lose key privileges
and will be held liable for replacement of any missing
or damaged equipment from the laboratory.
d. Users must notify the
Facility Manager if their status with the University
changes (leaving, graduating, etc.) and are required
to surrender all keys to the Facility at that time.
e. Failure to use a
Facility key conscientiously will necessitate revoking
the user’s key access to the laboratory.
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