NOTE: NEW PROCEDURES AFFECTING SAMPLES AND RUN START-UP

The APS has mandated, in the interests of enhancing safety, that we document receipt of samples, including

an inspection of packages received and verification of contents versus ESAF materials list. A check-list of

items to be verified (e.g. review of hazard controls, MSDS availability etc.) will also need to be completed

prior to the start of any experiments.

These new procedures are primarily concerned with samples classified as hazardous:

Protocol for Receipt of Hazardous Materials

"Scope & Application

Throughout this document, the term hazardous material means any material regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation as a hazardous material.

This procedure governs APS CAT acceptance of all packages known or suspected to contain hazardous materials. It applies not only to shipments delivered to Argonne National Laboratory by common carriers, but also to materials brought to the laboratory by researchers in personal, rental, or institutionally owned vehicles.

There is no threshold quantity below which the procedure need not be followed...."

Check-list form to be filled out by staff.

General Remarks

There are procedures you must complete before you can conduct experiments at the PNC/XOR beamlines. Some of the forms mentioned are accessible from the Links area.

APS Experiment Safety Approval Form is for a particular experiment, which could involve several runs, and is valid for up to six months.

For PUP members, a Beamtime Request Form must be submitted for each run.

APS User Orientation process

APS Home Page describes the APS User Orientation more thoroughly, including the USER AGREEMENT, and PROPRIETARY WORK. First-time users will need to complete the APS User Orientation.

The whole process could take up to half a day, so it is better to schedule it ahead so it can be finished on site before your beamtime starts. Briefly this process includes:

1) Register as a new user. This alerts the User Office that you are a new User for Sector 20 and need approval to be on site and training.

2) Arrange for your samples to be at the APS. Shipping hazardous materials requires special instructions, as do materials like animal products, plants or soils. For returning samples to your home institution, please refer to our shipping instructions.

3) When you arrive, APS User Orientation given by APS User's Office personnel:
Introduction to APS; GERT (General Employee Radiation Training) including passing a test (GERT from other facilities ok, so bring your card).
4) Sector specific orientation by Beamline Safety Coordinator (~1/2 hour) at Sector 20.
 

APS Experiment Safety Approval

For each experiment to be performed at APS, the principal investigator needs to submit an Experimental Safety Approval Form which lists the experiment title, samples to be used and safety precaution measures planned if hazardous samples or instruments requiring safety training will be involved. This form should be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of your experiment.

For additional advice on ESAF preparation, please read (also in pdf format).

The approved form must be posted on the beamline bulletin board by APS Floor Coordinator before the experiment.

Please note that for using some equipment (e.g. Class 3 or 4 lasers) at APS additional training from ANL safety personnel is required by ANL and the specific experimental setup may need to be reviewed and approved by ANL. This needs some scheduling beforehand. Please contact the beamline safety coordinator as early as possible if you need to bring some equipment to APS and you are uncertain about the safety concerns that may arise.

Ultimately, your safety at APS is the primary focus of the exercise described above. So please help us to serve you with Safe and Productive runs at PNC/XOR.