Safety Update
improvements to CFN safety
September 27, 2023
Wai-Lin Ng
Greetings! I hope you all enjoyed your summer. In this issue, I’d like to review recent updates to our safety policies – working afterhours and Safety Approval Forms (SAF).
Working After Hours
Users and guest researchers are expected to work during normal operating hours, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. However, when it is deemed necessary, working on holidays, weekends, or after-hours may be permitted. Should an accident occur under these circumstances, there would be minimal support from environment, safety, and health (ES&H) staff and the Lab’s emergency services. It is likely that you may also be working alone, which poses additional risk. As such, it is necessary to consider the necessity of work that would be done after hours.
Users/guests may submit a Request to Work After-Hours at the CFN form (PDF) that identifies what equipment will be used, a description of the proposed work, and what materials will be used in the proposed work. The Request will be sent to the CFN Point of Contact (POC) for initial review and, if accepted, to CFN ES&H, Operations staff, and the CFN User Administrator. The form must be submitted at least 3 days prior to the requested start date. Each Request is good for one proposal cycle.
Researchers with extensive experience working at the CFN (> three months) may be permitted to work after hours ONLY after they have demonstrated they have a good understanding of experimental procedures, CFN operations, and safety instructions for responding to emergency situations (fire, injury, chemicals spills). Equipment failure must promptly be reported to the facility POC.
Work that is considered high-risk for serious injury or chemical spill/gas release is not permitted after hours at CFN. ES&H will provide a determination, based on the description provided, on whether procedures or materials used are classified as high risk. Examples of high-risk work not permitted during after-hours/weekends includes working with hydrofluoric acid (HF) and exchanging cylinders of pyrophoric, flammable, or toxic gases. Some hazardous activities may require working with a CFN staff, escort, or colleague.
Safety Approval Form (SAF)
A safety review is part of the proposal review process. Once a proposal has been allocated, the user must submit a detailed safety summary by completing the SAF as soon as possible and at least one week prior to scheduling for facility access to allow sufficient time for review. Access to the facility requires an approved SAF. Prior to arriving at the CFN, the PI shall ensure that visiting researchers have a copy of the approved form.
Users must identify the hazards associated with each material they are bringing or using and attach a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for materials not already available at the CFN. They must also provide sufficient information to assess the work processes and where to focus on hazards and risks.
All electrical equipment being brought to CFN must be listed on your SAF and should bear the marking of a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). It is essential that this equipment be inspected prior to use.
— Wai Lin Ng
Manager, ES&H
Energy and Photon Sciences Directorate
2023-21479 | INT/EXT | Newsroom
