Safety documents

Guide for facility users

This guide provides an overview of access and training procedures for users of the LMCB Light Microscopy Facility while social distancing measures are in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you are a new user or if you need training on a microscope or software you haven’t used before, you should email lmcb-lm-help@ucl.ac.uk to discuss your project and to arrange training. In order to maintain social distancing we are remotely training new microscope users where possible, so it is more important than ever to tailor training to the requirements of the user's project. If you are new to the facility, a staff member will grant you access to the Agendo booking system where you will be able to find the COVID-19 code of conduct, risk assessment and other documents in the Notes & SOP section.

What visitors need to do to get access

You must read and agree to abide by the LMCB Return to Work: Pilot Code of Conduct and the LMCB Risk Assessment before you can be granted access to the LMCB. If you are a visitor to the LMCB you must read the Visitor LMCB Risk Assessment.

The total number of people in the LMCB is strictly limited and is monitored using a QR code system. Before you are issued with a personal QR code you will be asked to sign a consent form to say you are happy for your data to be used to monitor occupancy of the building.

The code of conduct, risk assessments and QR Consent Form are all available for download in the Notes & SOP section of the Agendo booking system. Once you have read the documents, please fill out the consent form and email it to Giorgia Siriaco indicating in the body of your email that you agree to abide by the Code of Conduct and risk assessment.

You must also take a short safety induction before starting work, so you are familiar with the fire exits and first aid procedures. Please email Valentina Senatore to arrange an induction.

To ensure that the LMCB does not exceed its maximum occupancy, users who are not LMCB staff members must email the facility manager by Wednesday the week before any bookings to say when they want to come in to use the microscopes. Users must say whether they need access for AM (before 1pm), PM (after 1pm) or both on the days they want to work.

When you arrive at the LMCB

If you don’t have card access to the LMCB you should ring the doorbell to be allowed in. There is a hand sanitiser dispenser on the outside of the building for use before ringing the doorbell or opening the door.

If you have card access to the building, then you can use the card to enter but be aware that if you had access before the lockdowns then you might not have it now. If you want to arrange card access, then please email the facility manager (andrew.vaughan@ucl.ac.uk).

Once you are in the LMCB you must hold your QR code up to the scanner at reception to register that you have entered. The picture below shows the QR scanner with the red arrow indicating the camera. You must hold the QR code 20 to 30 cm from the camera. The first time you do this you will have to press a button on the screen, but all subsequent uses are contactless.

Training

We are conducting training remotely where possible. Depending on the equipment available, the trainee will normally operate the microscope while the trainer connects remotely, however a member of facility staff will be in the building during the training sessions for any problems that cannot be solved remotely. Depending on your experience with microscopes you may be required to take a short online induction before hands-on training.

Working in the LMCB

Masks, gloves, and hand sanitiser are available at reception, on the landings and outside the toilets. You must wear a face-covering when walking around the building, when in shared areas like labs, and when working in microscope rooms. You must wear gloves when working on the microscopes or other shared equipment and when touching commonly used door handles and entry systems (e.g. the code lock on the door to the microscope lab G.08). Fresh gloves are available in the microscope labs and there is a hand-wash basin in room G.08.

Please see the Code of Conduct for further information.

The rules for working safely and hygienically in microscope rooms are in the COVID-19 LM Safety rules, which are posted up in all microscope rooms.

When you leave the LMCB

You must clean the microscope and any other equipment you have used following the COVID-19 LM Safety rules. You must hold your QR code up to the scanner on your way out of the building to register that you are leaving, even if you intend to return.