Central Equipment Usage Rules

The following policies apply to the use of the Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology central facilities at CCEB.

For the Chemistry facilities, the rules for using individual instruments are given in the training notes and training forms, available after applying for access to the equipment. Please contact the instrument managers for details.

Training Request

1. Each user must read and understand the School's central equipment usage rules (this document) and charging rates before requesting for training.
2. Each user must complete the Safety Induction Training and required e-learning safety modules before requesting for equipment training.
3. Each user must register in the FOM-CEBS central equipment online booking system before requesting for training.
4. Each user must submit the signed training request form with valid chargeable account information, safety-training record, and risk assessment form.
5. The equipment manager will schedule the operation training with user after completion of the above steps (1 to 4). Any incomplete or inappropriate training request form will not be processed.
6. Each FYP or undergraduate student must be guided by a mentor, and the mentor must take full responsibility for the equipment usage.

Additional Licenses

1. For the XRD and X-ray machines, user licenses are required. Postgraduate students who are exempted from applying for an R1 license must be supervised by an L5-licensed operator. The user must complete e-learning modules pertaining to ionizing radiation safety.
2. For equipment containing lasers of Class 3b and above, the user must apply for an N3 user license from NEA to operate the equipment. The user should attach a copy of valid user license together with equipment training request form to apply for equipment training. User’s access to the equipment shall be suspended when his/her license is expired. The user should update the instrument manager with renewed license in order to continue to use the equipment. The user must complete e-learning modules pertaining to non-ionizing radiation safety.

During and After Training

1. Non-CCEB users from the University must submit the charging form before arranging for equipment training or usage. Usage hours paid must be completed within 6 months after training and the deposit is non-refundable.
2. Training will be arranged in groups. Any urgent request will be subject to equipment condition and instrument manager’s availability.
3. Essential theoretical and practical skills are required before requesting for AFM, SEM, FESEM, TEM, BET and Chemisorption training.
4. Each trainee must practice at least 3 hours within 14 days after training for AFM, SEM, FESEM, TEM, BET and Chemisorption. He/She must attend re-training or re-test if he/she fails to do so. Equipment training and operation test are chargeable.
5. A user is not allowed to undergo training on more than 3 types of equipment, or more than 2 types of advanced equipment, within 10 days.
6. In any case, if a trained user does not use the equipment in 3 months, his/her access will be revoked. The user must attend re-training or re -test to re-activate the access. Equipment training and operation test are chargeable.
   

Booking and Charging

1. Booking or canceling of equipment usage must be performed at least 24 hours in advance.
2. Each user must follow the booking slots and operate the instrument with great care.
3. Booking slots are not transferable. Each user must use his/her own access card; borrowing or lending to others is not allowed. Users are recommended to book the equipment for office hours if bookings are not full during office hours.
4. Visitors must pay for usage and service charge for sample analysis by the equipment manager.
5. Only proficient and independent users will be granted access for after-office-hour usage. Each instrument manager has the right to reject any user who may not be qualified to work alone. User must be competent in proper operation of the equipment and complete relevant emergency safety courses (Use of fire extinguisher, Use of fire blanket, CPR AED awareness, etc.). User should attach risk assessment form together with after-office-hour access form to apply for after-office-hour access at least 3 days in advance. The form should be signed by supervisor, instrument manager, safety officer and the date of after-office-hour access needs to be indicated.

Usage

1. Users are not allowed to change/remove equipment/accessories or change configuration or computer settings.
2. Users are not allowed to log into password protected equipment or computers by himself/herself.
3. Users must sign in/sign out and record all the errors properly for the equipment usage every time.
4. Users are required to maintain a clean workspace and restore the equipment and accessories to prior condition, and return the accessories immediately after usage. Users must dispose the waste properly following the safety regulations.
5. if any error or abnormal condition occurs during your usage slot, you must stop using the equipment and restore the equipment in a safe status and then report to the instrument manager and technical support staff immediately.

Offences

1. Each instrument manager reserves the right to remove any user’s access due to user’s negligence, repeatable mistakes or inconvenience to other users.
2. If a user’s access is removed due to any non-compliance, to reactivate the equipment access, the user must re-take all the safety courses and equipment training as well as operation examination. Equipment training and operation examination are chargeable.
3. If a user is banned by one of the schools, the same penalty will be imposed in CCEB.
4. Each user and PI must be responsible for any damage caused due to improper operation and reckless activities.
5. Disciplinary action will be taken against those who violate the rules or regulations. CCEB laboratory safety rules for central facilities must be adhered to at all times (e.g., wearing of personal protective equipment such as lab coat, long pants, covered shoes, safety glasses and protective gloves when working in the lab). If a user is found not wearing proper attire, or not wearing PPE, their access to central equipment lab facility shall be suspended. The user shall need to re-attend the School's Safety Induction course as well as all relevant safety training courses to reactivate their access.
6. CCEB reserves the right to reject any user’s request due to any reasons (e.g. user’s carelessness, equipment maintenance etc.) and the School’s decision will be final.