Lab Rules & Safety

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KNI Cleanroom Lab Rules and Safety Documents

All KNI members must follow the general SOPs, tool reservation policies, and cleanroom procedures.

To protect the safety of all lab users and staff, repeated violations to these policies will result in revocation of lab access.
This is an example of what could happen with a minor offense.
  • 1st offense will be a verbal warning.
  • 2nd offense will be an e-mail warning with the PI or supervisor copied in the e-mail.
  • 3rd offense will be a revocation of lab access until the offense is discussed with the PI or Supervisor.

Caltech's Laboratory Safety Orientation through the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) department is required if you are using a lab on campus. The training is offered via Zoom twice a month. If you have not taken EHS Lab Safety Orientation, instructions to register for this training can be found at:

  • Caltech's EHS Lab Safety Orientation- You may start and complete KNI safety training before completing the EHS safety training. You must complete EHS Laboratory Safety Orientation before being allowed to use the KNI cleanroom.

KNI User Handbook and Operation Procedures

KNI Safety Manual

  • KNI Safety Manual - Provides a broad overview of information for Referenced Documents, Safety Requirements, and Chemical Safety Information.

KNI Workplace Specific Safety Training

KNI Emergency Procedures

KNI Buddy System

  • KNI Buddy System SOP- Link to Wet Chemistry Safety page with description of buddy system and link to SOP.
1. The laboratory is open to qualified users both day and night, weekdays and weekends. Certain instruments and procedures may, however, be restricted to the normal work day, or only allowed in the presence of a staff member. In general, a“buddy” is another knowledgeable user within the facility who can and will watch out for you in case of trouble. Laboratory “buddies” must of necessity communicate with each other to be effective. The use of chemicals in particular is restricted to the buddy system after normal hours, i.e. all time outside 8 a.m.-5 p.m. normal workdays.
2. A buddy is also required anytime a gas cylinder is change. You must first be qualified to change a gas cylinder by a staff member.

KNI Cleanroom Hours

  • Lab members are allowed to use the KNI 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
    • Use both card scanners when entering the gowning room B207. One scanner will log you into LabRunr and the second will unlock B207 door.
      • If you forgot your badge contact a KNI staff member to unlock B207 and allow entrance. DO NOT SCAN YOUR BADGE FOR MEMBERS THAT DO NOT HAVE A BADGE TO ENTER B207.
      • If your badge does not work for LabRunr, notify a KNI staff member. It is okay to use the cleanroom.
      • If your badge does not unlock B207 or the Steele building entrance doors, contact Guy DeRose.
    • KNI Lab Occupancy Limit: Maximum 41 people allowed in the lab at any given time.
    • No food or drinks are allowed in the cleanroom. This includes the gowning room B207.
Food or drinks may be stored outside the lab entrance on the wire rack.

KNI Lab Visitor Policy

  • KNI visitors may be hosted by KNI members.
  1. Each member may host up to 4 visits per quarter
  2. Fill and Sign the KNI Visitor Record form.
  • Completed form may be emailed to the KNI Safety Officer or printed out and left on the inside of the lab entrance door in B207.
  1. VISITOR RULES: (Notify visitors of the dress code prior to visit)
    1. Visitor must be properly attired to visit the lab: Long pants, closed-toe shoes, and at least short-sleeved shirt are required.
    2. Visitor must wear the cleanroom garments correctly.
    3. Visitor HOURS: 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday. (unless approved prior to visit)
    4. Visit may not exceed 2 hours in length. (unless approved prior to visit)
    5. Visitor may not operate any equipment, participate in training, or handle any chemicals.
    6. Host shall instruct visitor in the location and use of emergency exits and safety stations.
    7. Visitor shall remain with Host AT ALL TIMES DURING THE VISIT.

KNI Equipment Training

Contact the tool manager listed on the equipment Wiki page through your FBS User Activity Dashboard.
Note: You will be setup with an FBS account after you complete the New KNI Lab User sign-up process.
Review the FBS User SOP for instructions on tool training requests and scheduling.
  • The tool manager will need a description of your process and any information about your samples.
  • Provide your availability over the next two weeks for training so the tool manager can schedule training.
  • Training for lab members will be in-person and may also include hybrid remote (Slack / Zoom). Bluetooth headphones are provided and are stored in B233.
  • The KNI technical staff members will operate on five days per week in-lab schedule unless there are schedule conflicts. Staff will either be working in their offices or telecommuting. Some delay in response to equipment requests is to be expected.
  • Once you are qualified by a staff member you will be able to reserve the system through FBS.
  • KNI Equipment Scheduling Policy - This is the General Reservation Policy. Check the TOOL Wiki page for any special reservation rules associated with that piece of equipment.

KNI Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Chemicals Provided by the KNI with typical SDS

Approved Chemicals: Allowed to be used in the KNI with typical SDS (chemical not provided by the KNI)

Search for Safety Data Sheets (SDS) - New Chemical Search (Web Search)

Caltech Safety Documents

Caltech Chemical Hygiene Plan

  • Caltech Chemical Hygiene Plan - Provides a broad overview of the information needed for safely working with hazardous chemicals in the laboratory.

Caltech Hazardous Waste Management Guide

Caltech Personal Protective Equipment

  • Caltech Personal Protective Equipment - Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must match the task hazards and equipment is prescribed when hazards cannot be eliminated by administrative or engineering controls.

California Nanosafety Consortium of Higher Education

Nanotoolkit

KNI Safety Presentations


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