Nanofab COVID Protocols

Nanofab Protocols for “Modified Research Activities”

These guidelines provide the protocols that have been established to enable research activities to be performed in the Nanofab while the University is designation of “Modified Research Activities”.  Failure to follow these protocols is unacceptable and WILL result in personal suspension from the facility and can result in further limitations for the facility.

Personal Health Status

You may only come to campus IF your personal health meets ALL of the following conditions:

  • You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers), AND
  • You do not have any other Flu-like symptoms (for example, cough or shortness of breath), AND
  • At least 10 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared, AND
  • You have not had contact with anyone who is COVID positive (including the 5 days before they were positive) for 14 days.
General Protocols
  • All Staff and lab members, regardless of vaccination status for COVID-19, should:
    • wear a face mask at all times
    • maintain 6 ft social distance
  • Office personnel may be working at home
  • General communication between lab members and staff is to be done remotely
    • Necessary verbal communication must maintain 6 ft social distancing
  • Lab members may provide their own safety glasses and chemical face shields, if desired, as long as they meet ANSI standard and cleanroom compatibility
    • These items are not to be stored in the cleanroom or Gowning Room.  They will need to be brought each time they are needed.
  • Staff will regularly wipe down/sanitize:
    • Pre-Gowning and Gowning areas
    • High-use work stations
  • Lab members are discouraged from using equipment adjacent to another lab member
  • Pre-saturated IPA wipes are available throughout the Nanofab
    • Additionally, as a backup, small squeeze bottles of IPA will be available for use with dry wipes

NOTE:  Unless otherwise stated, all wipe downs referenced in these guidelines are to be done with IPA wipes

Cleanroom Protocols

  • Specific trash cans are identified and labeled for solid waste from the Acid/Base Wet Benches
    • IPA wipes may NOT be placed in these trash cans
  • Prior to entering any space lab members must ensure they will not violate the corresponding occupancy level
  • Lab members should wipe down all workstation surfaces before and after each use
  • Lab members should wipe down face shields before and after each use
    • Additionally, staff will regularly disinfect common face shields and safety glasses
  • Lab members should wipe down the inside of acid aprons before and after each use
Acceptable Pre-Gowning Sequence
  • All members should provide and wear their own face mask
  • Lab members must put on a bouffant cap, cleanroom face mask (worn over the personal mask), and blue shoe covers
  • With the sanitizer provided, lab members must sanitize their hands
Acceptable Gowning Sequence

NOTE:  Under no condition is cleanroom clothing to be shared among members.

  • The following items must be worn at all times while in the Gowning Room:
    • Bouffant cap
    • Cleanroom face mask (worn over personal face mask)
    • Blue shoe covers
  • Gown per standard protocols, including blue, nitrile gloves
  • Lab members will now wipe down their safety glasses and put them on
  • Lab members will now wipe down all authorized materials and items entering the cleanroom
  • De-Gowning
    • Cubbies
      • Boots are to be placed in the cubbie first – with the soles together
      • Place the coverall and hood in the cubbie on top of the boots
      • Place the safety glasses in the cubbie
      • Attach your Nanofab ID Badge to the cubbie
    • Hangers
      • A divider has been placed between all available hangers
      • Place the cleanroom clothing on an available hanger
      • Include the safety glasses
      • Attach your Nanofab ID Badge to the coverall or hanger

 

Protocols for the Clean Conference Room
  • Everyone must be wearing their own face mask
  • Lab members are discouraged from using equipment adjacent to another lab member
  • Lab members should wipe down all workstation surfaces before and after each use
Acceptable Gowning Sequence (Clean Conference Room)
  • Lab members will don a bouffant cap and a cleanroom face mask (worn over the personal face mask)
  • Put on a pair of blue shoe covers
  • With the sanitizer provided, lab members should sanitize their hands
  • After hands have been sanitized, lab members will put on a pair of blue nitrile gloves
  • Lab members will wipe down a pair of safety glasses and put them on

 

Protocols for the Backend Lab (2223) and Prototyping Lab (2227)
  • Everyone must be wearing their own face mask
  • Use of any fume hood is limited to one person
  • Lab members are discouraged from using equipment adjacent to another lab member
  • Lab members will wipe down all workstation surfaces before and after each use
Acceptable Gowning Sequence (Backend and Prototyping Labs)
  • Lab members will wear their own personal face mask
  • With the sanitizer provided, lab members should sanitize their hands
  • After hands have been sanitized, lab members will put on a pair of blue nitrile gloves
  • Lab members will wipe down a pair of safety glasses and put them on

 

(Protocols last updated on 10 Sep 2021)