Table of Contents

0.0 Terms of Use

0.1 Terms and Conditions for User Access

Laboratory Policy:

The User agrees to abide by all laboratory policies, as stated in the University of Alberta Nanofabrication & Characterization Centre (“the nanoFAB”) Terms of Use Policy Manual. Although the nanoFAB provides a general safety orientation and training on the safe use of specific equipment, the User assumes responsibility to plan and perform work in such a way as to ensure their own personal safety as well as the safety of others in the nanoFAB community and the integrity of the nanoFAB and its equipment.

Fees:
The User’s supervisor or representative acknowledges responsibility for purchases, materials costs and lab fees incurred by the User in their use of the nanoFAB.

Limits on Use:
The User acknowledges that nanoFAB is a community of professional and student researchers. As such, courteous, professional, responsible behaviour is expected at all times. Access to the nanoFAB is a privilege and may be revoked at any time.

0.2 Research and Intellectual Property Rights

The User acknowledges that they are ultimately responsible for their own research and that the nanoFAB does not in any way warrant or assure a project success. The nanoFAB and it’s staff make no claims to inventions developed in the lab by User’s, but also make no additional provisions outside of University of Alberta collective agreements governing staff, to protect User’s intellectual property. The nanoFAB and it’s staff makes no guarantee for the security of User’s intellectual property or materials while these materials and information are within the nanoFAB or handled by staff. Ownership of rights for intellectual property resulting from User’s research shall be the responsibility of the User. In the case of a collaborative project involving nanoFAB employees, intellectual property rights will be shared under agreements worked out specifically for this collaboration and reviewed by University of Alberta Research Service Office.

0.3 Acknowledgements Requirements

The User acknowledges that their identity and affiliation may be made public in presentations, grants and reports and other materials describing the nanoFAB. The User further agrees that the nanoFAB or its staff will be acknowledged in publications or presentations resulting from substantive work performed at the nanoFAB.

To assist the nanoFAB in securing sustainable funding, please include the following acknowledgement within any publications:

0.4 Insurance

The University of Alberta provides no Workers’ Compensation or other Liability coverage for the User’s benefit. The User is deemed to be acting as a representative and/or employee of their affiliation during work at the nanoFAB. For non University of Alberta affiliated User’s, at their own expense and without limiting its liabilities herein, must insure their operations under a contract of General Liability Insurance, in accordance with the Insurance Act (Alberta), in an amount not less than five million ($5,000,000) Canadian Dollars, insuring against bodily injury, personal injury and property damage. It is the responsibility of the User’s affiliation to ensure that they are adhering to all local, provincial and federal regulatory acts pertaining to employee occupational health safety and insurance requirements.

0.5 Liabilities

The User and their affiliated organization shall indemnify and hold harmless the University of Alberta, its officers, agents and employees from any and all claims, damages, demands, actions, liabilities and costs whatsoever that may arise directly or indirectly out of any utilization or interaction with the nanoFAB and its staff. The User understands that use of the nanoFAB may involve exposure to potentially hazardous conditions including, but not limited to, chemical, mechanical, electrical, thermal, and radiation hazards.

1.0 nanoFAB User Expectations

1.1 Users Responsibility

All Users in the nanoFAB, at whatever level, are expected to identify the hazards associated with the activities for which they bear responsibility, to warn those who may be affected by them, and to take steps to ensure that health and safety of other Users will not be endangered.

Every User is required to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work. As such, any health conditions that may impact their usage of nanoFAB equipment and processes are to be reported to a nanoFAB staff member. All persons have a duty to not interfere with, or misuse, anything provided or organized in the interest of health, safety, or welfare.

1.2 Responsibility for new policies

New policies are posted on the nanoFAB website as well as the notice board at the entrance to the centre.  It is each individual’s responsibility to become familiar with and follow these policies.  Ignorance of new policies that have been posted is not an excuse or a defense.

1.3 Information Transfer

The nanoFAB operates effectively when the staff is made aware of problems and issues in the centre. If there is a problem with a standard process not working, or a piece of equipment that is not working properly, nanoFAB staff must be informed. If we do not hear from the Users that there is a problem, we cannot fix it. If there is an issue, let staff know by submitting a new request via the LMACS.

1.4 User & Staff Guidelines

The nanoFAB recognizes that many Users are new to the areas of micro and nano- characterization and fabrication. However, the User is responsible for the success of projects undertaken within the nanoFAB. Upon training, the nanoFAB staff is available for guidance and support on how to get the best quality results from equipment and processes, including operational aspects of the equipment that may have been forgotten, support on processes within a staff members area of expertise, and general guidance.

For a User, the nanoFAB staff will:

1. Verbally correct the User if they see that they are having a straight forward issue running a tool that the User hasn’t used recently or has just been trained on.
2. Provide, to the extent of their expertise in an area, advice to new Users on how best to proceed.
3. Help a User to get the best results possible with the equipment available in the nanoFAB.
4. Direct the User to the research and technical literature, so that the User may read these papers and gain greater understanding of their device fabrication or characterizaton procedures and processes.

Users are also expected to follow proper safety procedures at all times, report any unsafe situations or observed practices to staff, read relevant internal Standard Operating Procedures, properly log in and out of equipment, and never modify a piece of equipment without prior approval from staff.

2.0 Administration & Billing

2.1 LMACS

LMACS is the nanoFAB’s web-based User portal and administration system. This system serves as the main User portal to Users and is used for the majority of administrative tasks within the nanoFAB. Users will interact with the system on a day-to-day basis while working in the nanoFAB and there will be many references to this system throughout this policy guide. LMACS is a full-service User and project management system, with many tools to allow for efficient and effective management of group activities in the nanoFAB.

To login to LMACS, visit: https://admin.nanofab.ualberta.ca

2.2 Registration

Registration to the nanoFAB is mandatory for access to equipment, training, sample submission and group creation. All nanoFAB Users must register with the centre via the online LMACS system; both individual User accounts and group accounts are created through LMACS. A one-time $200 administrative setup fee is charged per registered User in support of administrative overhead associated with ongoing operations, including LMACS.

1. Registration is quick and easy and can be completed entirely online. You can begin by following this link (click Register).
2. Quoted fee-for-service work does not require LMACS registration.

2.3 Fees

As a trust funded centre, the nanoFAB maintains competitive User fees for access to equipment to achieve sustainable operations. Fees are based on Canadian academic or non-academic affiliation, and are posted on our website for each piece of equipment. The fee web page also outlines caps and subscription models that are offered by the nanoFAB. The fee structure is reviewed and updated regularly. Please check our website for the most current fees.

2.4 Billing Policy

The following terms and conditions outline the nanoFAB Billing Policy. This policy covers administration of all nanoFAB generated invoices. All administrative inquires related to nanoFAB invoices or billing can be directed to the nanoFABs administration office.

1. nanoFAB invoices are generated on a quarterly basis the first day of January, April, July and October, for the 3 month period ending the last day of the previous month. Invoices include all project specific charges including materials, services and equipment time for the previous three months.
2. Invoices are generated on a project specific basis and mailed to the project principle investigator (PI). PIs are responsible for ensuring their group members are aware of which project they are to charge against. Multiple projects can be created for a single PI.
3. Equipment rates for projects are based on posted Canadian academic, non-academic, industry or subscription rate schedules. 
4. Invoices submitted to University of Alberta PIs can be paid by internal speed code by following the instructions provided with the invoice. 
5. Invoices submitted to external PIs are administered by the University of Alberta Financial Services and are subject to a University of Alberta 30% overhead charge and GST.
6. It is the responsibility of every PI to ensure timely and proper payment of nanoFAB Invoices. Invoices will be considered outstanding if not paid 30 days after receipt of the following quarter invoice.
7. Outstanding invoices will result in accounts placed on hold and project Users denied access to the facility.
8. All nanoFAB invoice related questions, comments or inquiries regarding charges, payments or other activities on invoices that are in dispute, or should alternative payment arrangements be necessary, should be directed to the nanoFAB Administrative Assistant.

2.5 Billing and Booking System

The nanoFAB uses the LMACS system for accurate invoicing of research groups for their use of the facility.

Users must login to all equipment via the LMACS system while using it to ensure proper billing occurs. These billings are critical to ensure that the facility has sufficient funding to continue operating at the level required by the Users.

For any usage adjustments (e.g., due to forgetting to log out or log in, equipment failures preventing processing, etc.), please submit an Administration request via LMACS immediately, describing what corrections are needed.

On equipment that is in heavy demand the nanoFAB reserves the right to implement special booking rules to the instrument (to ensure fair access to all Users).

Equipment must also be booked through the LMACS system :

• Users who have booked equipment have priority over Users who do not.  As such, Users are strongly recommended to make a booking for all tool usage.
• If a User is more than 15 minutes late for a booking (i.e., have not logged into the tool on LMACS), the booking is considered abandoned and the tool may be used by others. 
• No-shows may be subject to a no-show charge as outlined in the booking cancellation policy.
• Bookings can be cancelled by following the booking cancellation procedure and are subject to the booking cancellation policy.
• Users must finish processing in a timely manner as to not impede other User bookings.
• Conflicts regarding access to equipment and its surrounding workspace: Priority will be given to a User who has booked the equipment, followed by whomever is logged in to the equipment.
• Users are to log themselves in before processing and out once processing is complete.
• Special permission must be given to any User that wishes to reserve a piece of equipment for more than 24 hours over any 48 hour period.
• Equipment bookings that require equipment configuration changes must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

2.6 Mask Pricing and International Shipping Policy

The following terms and conditions are enacted as the nanoFAB optical mask pricing and international shipping policy. This policy covers administration and pricing of optical masks to ensure consistent mask production to Users and simplified administrative overhead; all prices listed below are in CAD.

1. The pricing for photomask fabrication depends on the mask size, the lens used for exposure, and whether the customer is academic (affiliated with a Canadian educational institution), or external (not affiliated with a Canadian educational institution, such as industrial Users or international academic Users), as given by the project type for billing. The pricing does not depend on the device density or overall exposed area on the photomask.

   Mask size	Lens	Academic	External
   5″ × 5″	10 mm	$185	$278
   7″ × 7″	10 mm	$370	$556
   5″ × 5″	4 mm	$379	$570
   7″ × 7″	4 mm	$758	$1140

   
   

2. Shipping charges are applied directly to Users with Freight on Board to the University of Alberta shipping dock. Users requiring shipping must submit a Courier Account Number during the online submission process. Masks requiring shipment without a Courier Account Number will be invoiced $150 for shipping (within Canada).
3. A $25 handling surcharge will be applied to masks requiring shipping. This fee covers the cost of packaging and administrative overhead.

3.0 User Access

The nanoFAB is an open access centre available to anyone interested in utilizing the available equipment and expertise, regardless of background or affiliation.

3.1 Gaining Access

The first step in gaining access to the nanoFAB is to create an LMACS profile. This can be done by visiting the LMACS homepage and clicking Register. The Laboratory Management and Access Control System (LMACS) is an online, real time, project management system used by the nanoFAB for all day to day administrative tasks. The LMACS is used for booking equipment, viewing equipment usage, project management, making requests (training, maintenance) and a number of other administrative functions. As a Principal Investigator of a project, you have complete control over all activities within your project through the LMACS 

The following definitions are key to understanding the access and billing policies within the nanoFAB.

Creating your account involves the following steps:

1. Complete the registration form found on the LMACS home page or on this website. An activation link will be sent to your email.
2. Click the activation link within 24 hours or you will need to start over. A confirmation email will be sent.
3. Follow the instructions in the email to configure your account. During this stage you can select to join an existing project or create a new Group and Project.

3.2 Requesting Training / Services

Access to all nanoFAB resources is facilitated through the LMACS system by creating Requests. For information on how to use the request system within LMACS please review the slide shows below:

• Submitting a Request
• Elaborating a Request
• Assigned Tasks

Once a User account has been created, and configured the User will have access to the LMACS system to create new requests. Once the request has been submitted it will be reviewed internally by the nanoFAB and directed to the appropriate staff member for processing.

Equipment training

Training on any nanoFAB equipment must be requested via LMACS ("Training" request type); step-by-step instructions are found here.  nanoFAB staff will follow up via comments in the LMACS request to schedule and conduct the training sessions.  If you are requesting training on equipment in an area that you previously did not have access to (e.g., the cleanroom), you may first be required to attend a safety orientation; this will be added to your request by nanoFAB staff as appropriate.  Please note that not all lab spaces require a separate safety orientation for equipment access (e.g., characterization lab, FESEM lab, HIM lab).  As such, please request training on the equipment you need, rather than requesting a safety orientation—all safety orientation/training requirements will be handled as part of the equipment training request.  Once you have satisfied the training requirements on a specific piece of equipment, your access level for that tool will be graduated from Trainee to User. This will allow you to reserve the equipment and use it without supervision during normal business hours.

Please note that, in the interest of efficiency for both our user community and nanoFAB staff, we typically only offer training that is required to complete current work. That is, we generally do not provide “dummy” training sessions using “standard” specimens; instead, users are expected to use their actual specimens during training sessions. This allows our staff to tailor training to each user’s specific application and minimizes the need for retraining in future.

Internal group training

In some cases, initial hands-on training for new group members may be provided internally by senior group members, with a final sign-off session performed under the supervision of a nanoFAB staff member.  If you would like to see whether this is an option for your group, please include this as part of your training request.  This training arrangement is approved on a case-by-case basis.  If such an arrangement is approved, it will proceed as follows:

1. Only senior users who have been explicitly approved by nanoFAB staff to provide the initial hands-on training may do so.  The senior user(s) who the new user is intending to train them should be identified in the training request.  Approval will be given by nanoFAB staff via a comment in the request.  The approved senior user(s) will be assigned to the relevant training request item(s).
2. Before receiving training from the senior user, the new user must first complete the necessary safety orientation for the lab space(s) in question.  Any such safety orientations must be conducted by nanoFAB staff.  Orientation requirements differ substantially among the different nanoFAB lab spaces.
3. Once access to the lab space has been granted, the new user may accompany the senior user to receive hands-on training on the equipment, as approved in the training request.  The senior user is responsible for teaching the new user correct tool operation and all relevant policies, as given in nanoFAB tool SOPs, processing guidelines, and policy documentation.  The new user is allowed to use equipment themselves before being signed off by nanoFAB staff if and only if the senior user is actively training them while they work.  This means that the senior user must be physically present, supervising and providing instruction to the new user.   In practice, it means that the senior user will typically not be able to perform much other work themselves during such training sessions, as their attention should be on the new user.
4. The purpose of this senior user supervision is to ensure that all tool operation and safety policies are being followed by the new user during their initial learning period, both to avoid damage to the tool, and injury to the user.  Having the senior user train the new hires closely for a couple of sessions, then telling the new users to practice a few times by themselves (without being observed) until an official sign-off session occurs, is not permitted.
5. Once the senior user is confident that the new user can operate a given tool/process independently, the senior user must leave a comment (in the relevant LMACS request item) stating that the new user is ready for a sign-off session, after which nanoFAB staff will contact the new user to schedule it.  Under no circumstances shall the new user operate a tool unsupervised before they are signed off by a nanoFAB staff member.
6. Any equipment damage and staff time for maintenance caused by a non-signed-off user will be charged back to the group. 

3.3 Levels of Access

Centre access will lapse after 12 months of account inactivity when nanoFAB profiles become inactive. At this point the User will need to re-activate their account and re-take the safety orientation. This can be done online through the “re-activate” link on the sign-in page.

Individual tool access may expire after a period of inactivity; this period is tool specific. Upon expiry, individual tool access status will revert back to Trainee:  to regain access to the tool, training for requalification is required (at the discretion of the designated trainer).   This retraining is required both to verify user proficiency on equipment operation, as well as to ensure the user is aware of any tool policy changes which may have occurred.  Logging into equipment on LMACS without actually using the tool, so as to "reset the clock" with respect to expiry, is not allowed:  actual tool usage is required to count as activity.

Centre Access

Individual Tool Access

3.4 Working in the nanoFAB (regular & after-hours access)

Risk Categories

Upon completion of the Hazard Assessment, the highest risk factor identified will be used to classify the process / equipment.

After-Hours Access

All Users requesting after-hours access must:

• Submit a formal request for access to the process and equipment they wish to use – to be approved by the nanAB. For specific instructions, please refer to Request after-hours equipment access document.

  Internal policy document:  After Hour Access Policy(Equipment)

  
  

• Complete a hazard assessment of the process they wish to use and submit it to the nanoFAB for approval
• Supply a list of potential buddies for review (for high-risk processes)

4.0 Day to Day Operations

It is important that all Users understand the day-to-day policies that are in place within the nanoFAB. The majority of these policies are enacted to ensure fair access to the limited space and resources available to all.

4.1 Storage Box Policy

The following terms and conditions are enacted as the nanoFAB clean room storage box policy.  This policy is necessary to ensure that the limited clean room storage space available is efficiently allocated. Administration and processing of the Storage Box Policy will be handled by the nanoFAB Administration Office.

1. Storage boxes will only be assigned to registered local active nanoFAB Users.  
2. The nanoFAB reserves the right to restrict the total number of individual storage boxes per group (academic or industrial).
3. Rental costs for storage boxes are based on the classification of the space the storage is located in. Refer to the Storage Pricing Policy for details. Charges will be applied to an active project either annually or monthly.
4. External Users will not be allowed to maintain or store items in a storage box upon completion of work within the cleanroom. Exceptions can be accommodated on a case-by-case basis; please speak with a nanoFAB training staff member.
5. Inactive nanoFAB Users cannot have storage boxes. If a box belongs to an inactive User an email will be sent requesting removal of contents or transfer of ownership. Contents of the box are subject to removal.
6. Users (active or inactive) receiving an email from nanoFAB staff requesting action on their storage box will have 30 days to comply.  After such time, contents of the box are subject to removal.
7. Absolutely no chemical storage is allowed in storage boxes.  The nanoFAB provides a variety of safe chemical storage options for clearly labeled chemicals.
8. Only clean-room compatible items can be stored inside storage boxes located in the Class 100 clean room.  For a complete list, or clarification of compatible items, please check with a nanoFAB staff member.
9. Regular audits of storage box use and adherence to the Storage Box Policy will be done.
10. This policy will take effect September 1, 2019 and will be reviewed regularly. Notification of changes will be implemented through postings on the nanoFAB website and through a policy change notification email to the nanoFAB community.
11. Any contents that are removed from storage boxes will be stored for 6 months, after which time they will be disposed of. 

4.2 Lost & Found

All samples, masks or other items not stored in your locker at the end of the day will be placed in the lost and found box located in gowning. The items in the lost and found box will be disposed of at two-week intervals.

4.3 Equipment & Tools

Equipment can be used only for its designed purpose and in a manner for which it was intended.

• It is the expected to leave a tool in as good, or better condition than when processing begun.
• It is the Users responsibility to report any malfunction of equipment to the nanoFAB.  All reports should be made through the LMACS system.
• All logbooks must be filled in every time a User uses a piece of equipment.
• Altering or modifying any piece of equipment without authorization from the nanoFAB staff is prohibited.
• Treat all tools with care and use them in a safe manner for their intended purpose.
• Return any tools that you use in a clean, undamaged condition to the drawer or storage area where they came from.
• Report lost or damaged tools to nanoFAB staff as soon as possible.
• Conflicts regarding access to equipment and it’s surrounding workspace: Priority will be given to a User who has booked the equipment(*), followed by whomever is logged in to the equipment.

*see 15 minute rule in Billing & Booking section

Standard operating procedures for each piece of equipment are posted on our website.

No equipment can be removed from the nanoFAB without the permission of the nanoFAB staff.

4.4 Tours

The nanoFAB welcomes self-guided tours of its facility by any group. Small (<5) self-guided tours do not need to be pre-arranged with the nanoFAB:  the User or tour guide can simply bring the tour groups to the facility. These self-guided tours are restricted to the hallways surrounding the cleanroom and characterization lab. For guest/visitor access to the cleanroom and/or the 10k area, please see Section 4.5.

For self-guided tours of 5 or more people, please email nanofab@ualberta.ca to notify nanoFAB staff of your intended date and time to tour the facility.  Guided tours of the nanoFAB are also conducted by DiscoverE; please contact DiscoverE directly to request a guided tour for your group.

4.5 Visitors/Guests

Any currently active nanoFAB User may submit a request to bring guests into the centre (one-time access). For the request to be approved, the User must have attained at least a User status on at least one piece of equipment in the area they wish to visit. Please note that guests are allowed in nanoFAB lab spaces during normal, staffed business hours only, regardless of whether or not the host User has after-hours access to any lab space.

Refer to the "request access for a guest" how-to for complete details.

The intent for the guest process is to accommodate Users who wish to give guests a taste of the experience of working in the cleanroom, and/or to see some details of a process of interest first hand. For situations where multiple visits to the cleanroom or 10k are desired, the guests must register as nanoFAB Users and request a cleanroom safety orientation, after completion of which they may enter the cleanroom and 10k area at will.

4.6 PVD Deposition Material Policy

As a convenience to our User community, the nanoFAB supplies many materials for magnetron sputtering and electron beam evaporation.  Please consult the nanoFAB for a list of available materials. The use of the nanoFAB provided deposition materials is excluded for:

1. Depositions greater than the listed thicknesses
2. Reactive sputtering
3. Co-sputtering
4. Any process deemed non-standard for contamination, material compatibility, or other undetermined reasons

In these instances, or if a high level of contamination control is required, it is the responsibility of the User to supply their own deposition materials.  Once a User has determined which material and deposition technique is required, it is also the responsibility of the User to ensure both the material (see Chemical/Material Import Policy) and process (see Project Proposal) have been approved by the nanoFAB.  Please note, precious metals are noted below in bold (Au, Pt, Pd) are billed solely on a cost recovery basis based on weight used.  Other materials as listed on the next page may be used at no additional cost beyond equipment hourly rate.

4.7 Equipment & Facilities Problems

If a User encounters a problem with a piece any of equipment, it is the responsibility of the User to ensure the system is in a safe state before continuing.  If the User is unsure of the state of the piece of equipment, contact a staff member immediately.  At all times, be aware of your own safety and that of other lab Users.

Major Problem – Damaged, Safety Concern, Flood, unknown state, etc.

• Daytime: Contact Staff Immediately – follow their instructions
  1. Report the incident using the LMACS system 
• After hours:
  1. Phone After-Hours Contact immediately.  This can be found in the Emergency binder in gowning.
  2. If unable to contact above, contact U of A Controls Center: 780-492-4855
  3. If required, phone 911
  4. Report the incident using the LMACS system 

Minor Problem – Minor Performance Issue, Uncommon Performance noticed, etc.

• At all Times
  1. Report the incident using the LMACS system.
  2. If necessary, place a “Down” sign on the tool.  These can be found at the nearest toolbox.

5.0 Laboratory Protocols

This section deals with policies related to personal hygiene, PPE, and lab attire.

5.1 Personal Hygiene

All nanoFAB lab spaces are Scent-Free Environments, as per Faculty of Engineering policy. Additionally, no make-up, perfume, cologne, aftershave, or scented lotions may be worn in the cleanroom. Users must not smoke for at least four hours prior to entering the cleanroom or 10k area. If it is discovered that you have violated these guidelines you will be asked to leave until you have corrected the problem. Continued violations will result in disciplinary action.

5.2 Footwear

Flat-soled, closed-toe footwear must be worn in all nanoFAB lab spaces. Additionally, shoe covers must be worn at all times in the cleanroom (ECERF W1-060), 10k area (ECERF W1-060), and TEM room (CMEB L2).

5.3 Clothing

Long pants must be worn in all nanoFAB lab spaces; shorts, capris, skirts, etc. are not allowed. Additional lab attire may be required depending on the specific lab space (e.g., bunnysuit and gloves in cleanroom; bouffant cap, gloves, and lab coat in 10k area).

5.4 Safety Glasses

Safety glasses must be worn during any chemical handling, processing involving chemicals, or tool use where there is a potential danger of flying particles or specimens (e.g., spin-coaters). Safety glasses may be removed only when using inspection microscopes or performing other close inspection work, but they must remain with each User and must be donned immediately after the inspection in complete.

5.5 Personal Listening Devices

Personal listening devices are permitted, but one ear must be clear to ensure the User can hear alarms in the facility.  Over-ear headphones are not permitted in the cleanroom.

6.0 Safety

This section deals with all aspects of safety within the nanoFAB.

6.1 Safety Committee

The SC acts as an advisory body in all matters of safety. All persons are encouraged to promptly bring to the attention of the nanoFAB staff or any Safety Committee member any apprehension as to hazards or unsafe practices in their work area.

The committee performs the following:

• Identify hazards and draft appropriate policies.
• Review incident reports and provide corrective actions.
• Recommend changes to the nanoFAB Policy Manual.
• Provide updates on safety information.
• Maintain the nanoFAB’s ability to handle accidents and emergencies.
• Oversee Safety Orientations.
• Ensure Users meet WHMIS compliance.
• Regular safety checks of emergency equipment & PPE.

6.2 Safety Concern Reporting

All Users are encouraged to report all concerns, incidents, near misses, and unsafe acts they encounter or observe while working at the nanoFAB. All reports should be made through the LMACS system ("Safety Concern" request type).

The purpose of this policy is to bring to the attention of the Safety Committee such concerns in order for the committee to recommend corrective actions to prevent similar or more serious incidents from happening and to initiate new policies to deal with new hazards.

6.3 Emergency Procedures

In addition to standard Fire Alarm Lights, there are also light towers located in many locations throughout the facility (as shown below). These towers are used to indicate the status of a great number of facility conditions that are monitored. 

If you are in the clean room during a Fire Alarm or a Hazardous Gas Alarm the alarm occurs, Do NOT remove your bunny suit, evacuate immediately.

Injuries

• All injuries must be reported immediately to a nanoFAB staff member.
• Any Users are expected to cease work to assist an injured person.
• When trips to UofA Hospital Emergency are necessary, another person must accompany the affected person(s). If chemical exposure is involved, a nanoFAB staff member will also be sent.
• If deemed necessary, phone 911 and request an ambulance be sent to ECERF for the injured User.
• An online safety concern form must be completed.

7.0 Chemical Safety Issues

This section deals with all aspects of chemical handling.

7.1 Authorization

Only persons who have been trained and reached User status on specific chemical processes may handle chemicals. Trainees must be supervised and receive explicit permission from the person training them before handling chemicals.

7.2 Material Safety Data Sheets

Physical SDS sheets for chemicals used at the nanoFAB are organized alphabetically in binders which are located in the characterization room. Digital versions of SDS sheets are available in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Repository.

7.3 Wet Processing Areas

Wet etch processes will only occur in designated wet etch areas. These are: the two wet decks and fume hoods in the wet etch room. The fume hoods can only be used for processes that have been approved by the nanoFAB Director and/or process staff. The preferred site for most processing is the wet decks. The wet deck in lithography is only for lithographic wet processing (solvents and developers only). There are great dangers if incompatible wet etch solutions are used on the same wet deck. If a wet deck is being used for an acid etch, only acid processing can occur on this deck (until it is cleaned up). This is also true for organic, base, and piranha solutions.

The User who books a wet deck has first rights to which process (acid, base, organic) that will occur on the wet deck during their processing. This User can decide if other Users can share the wet deck during their processing or not. The User who has booked the system has the right to say “Sorry, but I have booked the wet deck and I cannot share the deck”.

The Aisle 2 wet deck is dedicated to piranha cleaning. If you require a piranha solution, you can use this wet deck for your processing. There will often be a number of piranha solutions on this wet deck, as it takes time for the solutions to cool before disposal.

All wet decks should be cleaned and dried once you have finished working on them. 

7.4 Labeling Containers of Chemicals

All containers MUST be labeled with the User's name, the date, and what chemical is in the container, BEFORE the chemical is poured.  For situations in which it is difficult to write this information legibly on the container itself (e.g., very small containers such as 50 mL beakers, or glassware immersed in sonicator baths), one may instead write the required information on a cleanroom wipe, placed under or next to the container, if safe to do so.  All labels must be removed once the containers have been cleaned and before they are put back on the drying rack or shelf.

Containers for long-term storage must have the User's name, the chemical, and the date on them. If not, the solutions will be disposed of.

7.5 Clean up after processing

All Users must clean up after they are finished processing in an area. This means wiping the area down, removing the containers from the dump rinser, and cleaning anything that is required. It is the responsibility of the User to ensure the area is as clean as, or cleaner than, how they found it.

7.6 Importing Chemicals

Any person who wishes to bring a chemical onto nanoFAB premises must obtain approval from nanoFAB staff. If the chemical that you wish to bring in is listed in our SDS repository then you must talk to nanoFAB staff in regards to handling and storage procedures. However, if the chemical does not appear in our SDS repository then permission from one of the nanoFAB Chemical Technologists must be received. If the chemical has not been used, previously, in the facility, the staff member and the User must determine the safety concerns with the chemical (if any) and develop procedures for safely working with this chemical. The procedure of bringing a new chemical into the facility can be found in the Chemical/Material Import Request page.

The procedure for bringing a new chemical into the facility is:

1. Acquire SDS sheets for the chemical (from at least two suppliers or web sites if possible).
2. Read and understand the SDS sheet.
3. Determine how much of the chemical will be used during processing.
4. Research the common concerns are with this chemical, procedures for handling, and disposal.
5. Complete a chemical import request in LMACS.
6. It will be determined if the chemical can be handled safely in the facility (this could entail research by the User into proper handling techniques).
7. If approved, the User and the appropriate nanoFAB staff will develop safe procedures for working with the chemical.

If a User is found to be working with an unapproved chemical or any chemical in an unsafe manner, disciplinary action may occur.

7.7 Empty Chemical Bottles

Empty bottles should be rinsed three (3) times by the Users who empty the bottle. The bottle should be labeled as a “Washed Bottle” and deposited in the washed bottle bin. Empty photoresist bottles should not be rinsed. They will be disposed of as toxic waste.

7.8 Hazardous Chemical Gear (Heavy Gloves and Capes)

Protective chemical gear is not to be worn outside the two wet processing aisles. The gear must be removed before leaving the wet processing area or handling any equipment outside the wet processing area. The gear must be cleaned and dried before putting it away.

7.9 Emergency Telephone Numbers

• EMERGENCY  911
• CAMPUS SECURITY 2-5050

FIRE or LIFE EMERGENCY

• Call 911
• Identify yourself
• Tell them what the emergency is:
• Tell them the location: nanoFAB W1-060 ECERF Building 9107-116 Street

7.10 Chemical Hazards

A variety of chemical hazards exist in the nanoFAB. nanoFAB Users are expected to educate themselves about chemicals, take the necessary precautions associated with chemicals, and conduct themselves in a safe manner when handling chemicals.

8.0 User Discipline

This section contains User discipline policies. Also See: Discipline Policy

8.1 Disciplinary Policy

Because of the communal laboratory environment, expense of equipment, dangers in the facility, and the fragility of other Users’ devices/processes/work, Users and staff of the nanoFAB need to act accordingly. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all our Users to help contribute to a safe working environment. The following Disciplinary Policy has been developed to ensure a safe working environment.

8.2 Disciplinary Actions

All nanoFAB staff have the authority to immediately suspend Users’ work in the nanoFAB due to breaches of policy, safety, or commonly held laboratory practices and behaviours. Subsequently, further disciplinary actions may follow through a review process involving the User.

Warnings or suspensions can lead to one or more disciplinary actions, if a review of the User’s actions deem it appropriate. Disciplinary actions will be communicated by the nanoFAB via email to the User and their supervisor.

Types of disciplinary actions may include, but are not limited to:

1. Minor Discipline – Issued for any warnings or suspensions. This may include, but is not limited to, revoking after-hours access to tools or the nanoFAB, tool retraining, repeating safety orientation, written follow-up report of incident.
2. Expulsion – Issued for egregious or continued violations. Expulsion from the nanoFAB can be issued up to a maximum of 12 months.

8.3 Appealing Disciplinary Action

The User, or Principal Investigator, may appeal to the Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Engineering regarding any disciplinary action from the nanoFAB. All previous User history within the nanoFAB will be made available in consideration of a final decision.