Limiting occupancy according to the size (and consider the shape) of room so that everyone stays at least 6 feet away - think how do people move in the room (for example to get a printout or put sample in the magnet)
If multiple instruments may even consider poles and chains to direct the researchers - we have a MS near one NMR and if it’s in use, the researcher would be too close for the NMR so I’m chaining it off when the MS is used.
Masks required.
Maybe gloves required?
Yes, wipe down the area, keyboard, mouse after use - Fisher and similar sources sell IPA and dry wipes; spray bottles (mix your own IPA or ethanol/water)(McMaster has some chemical resistant); squirt bottles could work but careless users may use too much.
Signage to remind people of what they need to do.
I made some DO NOT ENTER signs so that if my staff or I am in the room and it’s not appropriate for others to enter.
On May 7, 2020, at 3:40 PM, Stolowich,Neal J. <stolowich_at_louisville.edu<mailto:stolowich_at_louisville.edu>> wrote:
Hi Ken,
Yes, a very timely topic as I’m sure many of us are preparing to reopen their labs after being shut by COVID-19. I’ll be needing to provide an operation procedure to my chairman next week, so this should be a very fruitful discussion.
Indeed in my case, I’m considering option #2 – limited access to only a few members of each research group. Our University is bringing only graduate students back, so no undergraduate access will be allowed. An additional thing I’m thinking about is to assigning larger blocks (1 hour or so) by group instead of individual short (15 min) used by individuals. Moreover, I might inset dead blocks among the schedule to insure no overlap of users.
What about area cleanup after use? Thinking about spray bottles of xx% EtOH to mist down keyboard, sample turbine, etc.
I’ll be interested in hearing all the groups ideas!
Neal
Neal J Stolowich, PhD
NMR Facilities Manager
Department of Chemistry
University of Louisville
(502) 852-7894
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From: Kenneth Knott <kknott_at_vt.edu<mailto:kknott_at_vt.edu>>
Sent: Wednesday, May 6, 2020 11:32:30 AM
To: ammrl_at_ammrl.org<mailto:ammrl_at_ammrl.org> <ammrl_at_ammrl.org<mailto:ammrl_at_ammrl.org>>
Subject: AMMRL: Post pandemic NMR operations
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No doubt all universities have begun to consider changes in operations as the restrictions from the pandemic begin to ease. We have been asked to come up with a plan for operation in our NMR facility.
I would be interested in hearing what others have considered or perhaps already put into practice.
In our case, most consideration has revolved around our high throughput robot instruments which handle 90% of sample submissions. At a minimum, all students will be required to wear masks in the lab and put fresh gloves on upon entry. Students will be required to spray down keyboards and instrumentation before and after use. Some things that been considered include:
1) Sample dropoff external to the lab. The samples are run by staff.
2) Limited access. Research groups collect samples daily and 1 designated person per group is allowed access to submit their group's samples.
3) Sample dropoff external to the lab. Samples are loaded by staff. Samples are entered into the NMR software (VnmrJ 4.2) remotely. Not sure how to do that.
For our other, non-robotic, instruments, we already have scheduled access and will limit 1 student at each instrument at any given time. The instruments are sufficiently spread out to allow for social distancing.
Would love to hear more.
Thank you
--
Ken Sharp-Knott
Department of Chemistry
Analytical Services
Virginia Tech
(540)267-6502 (Cell)
(540)231-0885 (Office)
Received on Fri May 08 2020 - 02:44:08 MST