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Safety
Laboratory safety derives from a common-sense approach to the hazards
which exist in a laboratory setting. Students are responsible for acting
in a safe manner and in accord with the safety regulations established
by the University's Department of Environmental Safety and the Graduate
Laboratory Staff. You may discover these regulations by consulting the
University's Manual: Radiation and Laboratory Safety Policies and Procedures
and Radiation Safety Manual, the book Radiation Protection in
the Radiologic and Health Sciences by Noz and Maguire, and the Staff.
Of particular interest are the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for chemicals
that you might use in Grad Lab. These can be examined at the web address:
http://www.inform.umd.edu/des/ls/index.html , or on the front of the chemical
safety cabinet in room 3313. Information concerning suitable gloves for
handling liquid chemicals can be found at:
http://www.inform.umd.edu/des/ls/safeskin.html.
Note these specific safety rules:
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No smoking;
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Radiation film badges will be worn at all times;
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An emergency phone is located in the main corridor outside room PHY--3303.
This phone connects directly to Emergency Services.
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Eating and drinking are not permitted within the confines of the Laboratory,
except in the Library, PHY--3333;
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No open footwear is permitted;
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Long hair must be confined.
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Required Reading
The Graduate Laboratory
Handbook. The most recent edition of this material is available
on the Graduate Laboratory Web site. Important information about Graduate
Laboratory experiments is presented along with lists of references, computer
program guides, and radioactive source data. Suggestions for additional
references will be greatly appreciated.
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Computers
DELL PC's are available in the Laboratory, PHY--3333 (Grad Lab Library),
and in the Physics Open Workstation Lab, PHY--3111 (OWL2), for data
collection, analysis and for word processing.Warning: Storage of
data or personal programs on the Laboratory's hard disks is risky at best;
these disks are subject to periodic "cleansing'' without notice. Students
should store valuable data and programs on their own floppy disks (3.5'' HD
1.44 MB), USB flash drive, emailed to self, or saved to some other safe
storage location.
Note: Much of the software available in the Physics Teaching Labs is covered
by copyright; this means that it is illegal for anyone to copy these programs.
It is the policy of the Department to purchase the programs needed by students.
The
Department does not permit or condone in any way the copying of legally
protected software.
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Documentation
Literature supporting the various experiments, the equipment available,
and providing general information is available for student use, but NOT
for addition to the student's permanent collection. Documentation
from the Library in Room PHY--3333 should not be removed from the Grad
Lab suite except for the time necessary to make copies. Further
reference material can be found in the Engineering and Physical Sciences
Library. The Handbook contains complete bibliographic information
for this purpose. Do NOT remove equipment manuals from the Laboratory.
Original equipment manuals are available from the Laboratory Coordinator.
- Equipment
No student has absolute right of possession of any instrument; students
should make sharing arrangements with the various users.
Report equipment failures promptly so that repairs may be made expeditiously.
Place failed equipment on the table in the hallway near Room PHY--3323,
with a description of the failure. Then email lab Coordinator with a detailed
description of failure so prompt repair, or replacement can be arranged. Do not remove equipment or tools from the Laboratory.
- Keys
The Laboratory has a voracious appetite for time. Plan your use of
Laboratory time carefully. In aid of planning a complete calendar is provided.
When needed, card-keys may be signed out for rooms PHY--3315, --3317. --3319,
and --3333 (No keys are available for the Nuclear Room (PHY--3323)). A
refundable deposit of $20.00 will be required in order to obtain
a key (and that its return be assured). This deposit will be considered
forfeit if keys are not returned by this semester's
absolute deadline.
Key sign-out is predicated on the assumption that students will be responsible
for their own safety and will observe all safety and security regulations.
Outside normal Laboratory hours doors must be closed and locked.} Do not
attempt to defeat the locking mechanisms. When leaving the laboratory area
make sure all doors are securely locked. Those who disregard these rules
will lose key-privileges.
- Supplies and Parts
Parts and supplies may be obtained from Physics and Chemistry Stores.
Account numbers are assigned as needed. Materials not available in Stores
may be ordered from outside vendors; this process may be quite time consuming.
Check with the Laboratory Coordinator.
- Cryogenic Liquids
Students requiring cryogenic materials should know that liquid helium
may be ordered only on certain days. Helium is ordered on
Monday or Wednesday for delivery on Tuesday or Thursday. Make a request for cryogenic liquids in advance of the order days. Orders for cryogenic
materials will be placed only upon evidence that the experiment is fully
prepared for operation.
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