General Laboratory Procedures

PDF format of General Laboratory Procedures (1.8 MB)

Control of access to the Laboratory is required for physical security and to meet DOE requirements for access to sensitive ICF information

  • Physical Security is established at the perimeter of the building.
      • – Access is controlled by card readers, receptionist, and employees; badges are required.
      – Security is monitored by door alarms and cameras.

  • Access by non-United States citizens (except University employees, faculty, and students) requires prior approval.
      • – Visitors must be preapproved by DOE (contact J. Steve at least 4 weeks in advance of visit).
      – Tours must be prearranged through the Director's Office.

    Maintaining security is EVERYONE's responsibility.


Access to OMEGA must be controlled to ensure safety and shot effectiveness

  • During normal working hours
      • – Non-operations personnel must request Control Room access from the Shot Director
         (this includes LLE personnel performing maintenance, checking out diagnostics or other equipment, etc., or requesting Viewing Gallery tours).
      – Control Room access during shot operations is restricted to authorized personnel only,
         i.e., those supporting shots or in direct supervisory or management positions.

  • During off-hours
      • – OMEGA is secured (except for the Viewing Gallery); access is by key card
      – Visitor access is prohibited.
      – Any work requires that at least two personnel be present in the facility.

    OMEGA is a vital resource — protect it and respect access restrictions


Safety is mindset — all accidents are preventable

  • Accidents are caused by people
      • – when they rush or
      – when they are complacent
        ⇒ Failure to engage brain increases the probability of an accident.

  • Usually accidents attributed to equipment, material, or procedure are really caused by people who
      • – inadequately designed equipment or
      – improperly selected materials for construction or
      – improperly assembled and/or tested equipment or
      – improperly operated equipment or
      – improperly maintained equipment.

    Safety is everyone's business and compliance with safety procedures is MANDATORY.


LLE has a proactive safety program to ensure the safety of personnel and protection of equipment

  • LLE's safety organization has the active support and involvement of top management.
  • Operational and safety procedures and training are emphasized.
  • All laboratories are inspected every 6 months via monthly inspections by the four assigned safety officers.
  • Compliance with safety procedures is mandatory.
  • Safety is considered in design, and personal protection is provided through hardware, software, and/or procedures to the maximum extent practical.
  • Incidents are investigated and actions taken to prevent reoccurrence.

Medical emergencies require a deliberate and rapid response

  • During working hours
      • – Call the front desk at ext. 55101 or 53941 and state "MEDICAL EMERGENCY." If no response, call University Security; dial 13.
      – Receptionist will page the Medical Emergency Response Team (the Emergency Medical Technician and those qualified in CPR and first aid).
      – For those situations where it is obvious that outside assistance is required, immediately call for an ambulance through University Security; dial 13, then inform the receptionist.

  • During off-hours
      • – Call University Security; dial 13.
      – If no response, dial 9 911.

  • Provide the following information to the receptionist/dispatcher:
      • – Your name and the name(s) of the injured person(s)
      – Your location
      – Telephone extension from which you called
      – Description of medical emergency

  • Enlist help and stay with the injured person until help arrives.
  • Render appropriate first aid for which you feel qualified. First aid supplies are available in the lavatories.
  • While waiting for help, ask for proper medical procedures by phone.
  • Do not unnecessarily expose yourself to hazards including fire, laser or nuclear radiation, electricity, chemicals, or bodily fluids.
  • It is the responsibility of the hosts to brief visitors on these procedures.


Nonacute injuries and medical problems are not "medical emergencies"

  • Emergency protocols should not be initiated for nonacute (nonemergency) situations; personal physicians should be contacted or the EMT on-site consulted for questions dealing with a medical problem or transport to a medical facility.
  • First-aid cabinets are provided in every bathroom and in public areas. These first-aid materials should be used for minor injuries, such as paper cuts or minor bruises.
  • If a personal physician is not available, then access to the University Health Service should be considered, especially for on-the-job injuries that require Tetanus shots.
  • The University's Emergency Room is for life-threatening situations.

Immediate and appropriate response to the fire alarm is mandatory to protect life and equipment

  • Upon the activation of the fire alarm, all personnel must
      • – close windows and doors,
      – evacuate the affected building, and
      – remain clear until the "all clear" signal is given.

  • LLE is a designated "Fight Building," which means that trained LLE personnel may fight a fire after/if
      • – rescuing anyone in immediate danger,
      – activating the building fire alarm,
      – confining the fire by closing doors,
      – the fire is small and contained, and
      – there is a clear exit from the fire.

  • While fighting a fire, you should evacuate if
      • – the fire is spreading beyond the point of origin,
      – the fire could block your exit, or
      – you do not know how to use a fire extinguisher.

  • During work hours LLE has authorization to
      • – defer calling the Fire Department if the alarm is false,
      – silence the alarm if the cause is not fire and is identified,
      – allow personnel to reenter the building after determining the evacuation was complete.

Respect for clean room procedures is everyone's business

  • Clean rooms exist throughout the facility and are required for
      • – optics manufacturing,
      – optics metrology
      – minimizing laser damage to optics, and
      – chemical processing.

  • Entrance to clean rooms
      • – Restricted to those who have had clean-room training and have a need to enter.
      – Visitors (whether internal or external) must have
        - permission from the individual responsible for the clean room and
        - be escorted by a qualified and knowledgeable individual.