Research Stage 1: Essential Research Activity
Effective May 26, 2020, the Biomaterials Lab (BML) will begin adopting Research Stage 1 (RS1) guidelines from Rice University’s three-stage Research Reactivation Plan. All guidelines here are in addition to the Guidelines for Research provided by the university.
To perform research activities within the BML, users of the BML must be members of a laboratory that has already received approval of their Research Reactivation Plan from the Department Chair, Dean, and Vice Provost for Research. The approved plan must indicate which BML instruments will be used. Instrument usage will only be allowed for the users and instruments indicated on the approved plan.
The Principal Investigator (PI) and/or supervisor of researchers as well as the individual BML users must certify that he/she will comply with the Guidelines outlined below.
Use of the Biomaterials Lab during this period (May 26, 2020 until further notice) requires that you agree to follow these guidelines. Any user found in violation of these policies and the guidelines set by Rice University will have their access to the Biomaterials Lab revoked.
- Guidelines for Personal Safety
- Social Distancing Parameters
- Social distancing standards in all cases should never be less than 6 feet. These are superseded by more stringent standards listed below.
- The BML is 1024 sq ft. Only two users will be allowed to use the laboratory at any time
- Users will not be permitted to use instruments on lab benches/equipment directly adjacent to or directly across from lab benches/equipment being used by other researchers.
- Facility users must schedule shifts/lab reservations 24+ hours in advance so BML personnel can approve their proposed equipment use and notify them of any potential issues pertaining to social distancing.
- In addition to normal Facility Operations Manager reservations made online, users will be required to schedules shifts/lab reservations on a Google Calendar provided to authorized users to ensure no more than two users plan to be in the lab at any time. You must schedule your use of equipment on the provided Google Calendar, indicating the time you will be in the lab along with instruments you plan to use. If you do not yet have access to the Google Calendar, email Anthoyn Melchiorri (anthony.j.melchiorri@rice.edu).
- Given the close distances required for training, training of new users is suspended unless it can be done remotely in a safe manner.
- Diagrams below illustrate acceptable and unacceptable usage of the BML.
Laboratory PPE Guidelines (Augmenting Normal Safety Requirements)
- All users will be required to wear masks at all times within the BML in addition to normal PPE requirements.
- Masks will not be provided by the BML; they must be obtained independently from the University
- Due to contamination concerns, the BML will not be providing shared lab coats or safety goggles. Users must bring their own lab coats and safety goggles. These must be worn at all times in the BML.
- Lab gloves should be removed when leaving the laboratory. The BML will continue to provide disposable lab gloves that can be used inside the facility. These gloves are located on the first lab bench within the BML.
- Sanitation Guidelines
- Handwashing. All users must wash hands before using any instruments and wash hands before exiting the BML. Sinks are available at the entrance to the laboratory and near the “Bioprinter Room”, 650D, within the lab.
- Sanitize Equipment and Surfaces. Antiviral and 70% alcohol sprays will be provided within the laboratory. Spray bottles will be located by both sinks within the BML as well as on the first bench within the lab where the disposable nitrile gloves are located. Users are required to sanitize equipment and surfaces before and after each use.
- Additional Safety Concerns
- Undergraduate researchers will not be permitted in the laboratory.
- External users will not be permitted in the laboratory.
- No other outside visitors to the lab will be allowed except for authorized vendors/engineers/technicians following all safety, social distancing, and sanitation guidelines to perform critical equipment maintenance or repairs.