Facility Safety Information

Facility Safety Overview

The UCLA-DOE Biochemistry Shared Instrumentation Facility is dedicated to maintaining a safe research environment for all users. Because the nature of hazards in the facility can vary daily, based on the activities of researchers, the safety procedures are dynamic and tailored to different instruments, rooms, and activities. Some of the key safety protocols are outlined below:

1. Training and Safety Procedures:

  • All users must complete necessary safety training, via worksafe, for general UCLA research and any specific hazards associated with their work in the facility. The responsibility for ensuring this training typically lies with the Principal Investigator (PI) in the researcher’s lab.
  • Users are required to undergo proper instrument usage training by facility management before being allowed to use any equipment. Unauthorized use of instruments is prohibited.

2. Proper Attire:

  • Users must wear attire that complies with University policies and are required to wear a lab coat appropriate to their activities.

3. Glove Usage and Hygiene:

  • If gloves are required as part of hazard mitigation, users should minimize their use and avoid touching shared surfaces such as door handles, instruments, faucets, and computers while wearing gloves.

4. Chemical and Sample Storage:

  • The facility offers minimal chemical and sample storage. All hazardous waste must be disposed of by the researcher in their primary lab, as the facility does not provide waste containment.

5. Room-Specific Safety Regulations:

  • Different rooms in the facility have different safety requirements. For example, Young Hall 5044 prohibits any radioactivity, while certain types of radioactivity are allowed in Young Hall 5060.

6. Active Participation in Safety:

  • Users are encouraged to be proactive in ensuring safety for themselves and others. This includes being mindful of potential hazards unrelated to one’s own work and taking care not to create hazards for others. If any safety concerns arise, users should immediately report them to facility management.

7. Additional Inquiries:

  • For any additional questions or concerns regarding safety protocols, users are encouraged to reach out to facility management using the links available on the facility’s website.

If you have further questions or need specific clarification on any of these guidelines, feel free to ask!