[BNC-all] BNC E-news: September 21st, 2020

[Turner, Jaime J]

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Responding to COVID-19: Research Operations at Birck



https://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/birck/for-birck-users/covid/index.php



Critical Reminder:  Always Use Your Own ID for Access
We recently had a disciplinary incident where one user borrowed the Birck access card from another user to work in a lab they weren't qualified for, as they had not yet reviewed and signed that lab's SOP.  This is a serious violation of protocol as no user is allowed to gain access to any lab, the cleanroom, or the building on another's card.  Because we're supported by recharge income, and billings are tracked to each individual student's access and use of equipment, this could be interpreted as fraudulently charging the wrong grant or account.  Additionally, in this era of COVID-19, it is illegal and unsafe to work in a lab without a complete understanding of that lab's COVID restrictions and protocols.  Note that students involved in this incident received sanctions from the disciplinary committee including loss of building access, and required service to the Birck community.
The proper procedure if you need access to a lab is to contact the faculty or staff member in charge of the room and ask for SOP training. You must do this even if you had access prior to the COVID shutdown. For specific rooms, these can be found on a sign near the door. For specific equipment, these can be found on the Birck Wiki.
The proper procedure if you lose your ID or your ID fails to open a door to which you think you should have access is to contact Mary Jo and determine if there is a problem with your card or changes have happened to the access structure.
Please understand and follow this strict requirement to maintain integrity in lab use, billings, and COVID-19 safety.
Thanks for your understanding,

Ron



Critical Reminder:  Birck Safety Protocols

It is very gratifying to see our research community back 'in business' doing leading-edge research in our center after the long pause we all experienced this Spring.  But at the same time we want to remind our entire user group of the critical importance of following the COVID safety protocols while using our facilities.  If an outbreak of COVID exposures should happen at Birck there is a real possibility that we may need to close the facility again.  So please read and support the following.....



.....Some of our approved users are holding the doors open for others to enter the building.  This may very well be a gesture of politeness to assist another, but it also can be perceived that non-approved people are entering our building with the assistance of one of our approved users.  Additionally it does not allow us to have an accurate accounting of who is entering our building by evaluating card-swipe data.  So everyone should swipe into Birck and not be let in by someone holding the door open.



.....Face masks are required while in Birck.  Approved users have been, and continue to be, strongly encouraged to bring their own face mask for their personal use while in the facility.  At the entrances we have supplied quantities of disposable face masks for emergency use, but our supplies of these disposable masks are being depleted at the high rate of 300 - 400 masks per week.  This rate of use seems exceptionally high when personal masks are strongly recommended.  Please only take one mask from the supply, and only when you've forgotten your personal mask.



....Social distancing continues to be a challenge.  This is a difficult habit to develop and groups of people have been seen clustered around a tool, or having a hallway conversation, and not adhering to the 6' spacing rule.  Please continue to maintain at least 6' spacing between yourself and the nearest other person.



Please stay vigilant in promoting and supporting these safety protocols.  If we each do our part we will continue to stay open and conduct state-of-the-art research in our great facility.





Birck Nanotechnology Center PM Shut Down Notice: October 19th - 23rd, 2020


The Birck Nanotechnology Center will be undergoing a semi-annual preventive maintenance and service shutdown October 19 through October 23, 2020.  Air handling systems, exhaust systems, toxic gas delivery, and monitoring systems will be down beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, October 19 through 4 p.m. Friday, October 23.  The BNC staff will be performing appropriate preventive maintenance on the process equipment at this time as well.

All CLEANROOM research work will be suspended until the maintenance activities are completed and all systems are returned to normal.  Only authorized personnel will be allowed to enter the cleanroom during this time period.

In addition, the laboratory areas will also be affected by this systems maintenance.  As such, all LABORATORY activities that involve exhausted hoods, vacuum systems, and/or toxic gas systems will be down beginning 7 a.m. Monday, October 19 through 4 p.m. Friday, October 23.  However, work that involves taking standard electrical measurements may be carried out in the LABS provided that fluctuating air temperature and humidity do not affect the readings.  No chemical work will be allowed during this period.

It is anticipated that the building and process tool maintenance will be completed by the end of the day on Friday, October 23.  Please check iLabs for equipment status and availability.

For long term research planning please refer the following future dates for our future preventive maintenance shutdowns.

Week of  May 3, 2021               Week of  Oct 18, 2021
Week of  May 2, 2022               Week of  Oct 17, 2022

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during these important preventive maintenance shutdowns.  Please contact me if you need more detailed information.

Mark Voorhis
Building Manager
Birck Nanotechnology Center




REMINDER: Influenza Vaccination Required for Faculty, Staff and Students



Faculty, staff and students are required to obtain their influenza vaccine by Oct. 31. Purdue is holding flu shot events, and several on-campus locations also are offering flu shots. Seasonal flu shots are provided at no charge to all benefits-eligible Purdue faculty and staff as well as spouses and dependents covered on a Purdue medical plan.



Click HERE<https://www.purdue.edu/hr/COVID-19/flu-info/index.php> for more details of 2020 PU West Lafayette Campus Flu Shot Events




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***If you have any news items (published papers, research news, awards, honors) please send to jjturner at purdue.edu<mailto:jjturner at purdue.edu> so they may be included on Birck's website, Facebook and Twitter pages***


Jaime Turner
Lead Administrative Assistant to the Director | Birck Nanotechnology Center
BRK | 1205 W State Street | West Lafayette, IN 47907
o: 765-494-3509<tel:7654943509> | m: 765-491-3064<tel:7654913064> | jjturner at purdue.edu<mailto:jjturner at purdue.edu>

[83324AA6]<https://www.purdue.edu/>







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