Policies

1. No Smoking – Smoking is not allowed in the CIPS building.
2. Emergency 911 – In the event of any major emergency call 911.
3. Fire Extinguishers – Are located just inside the door of the main labs and in the main hallways.
4. Fire Alarms – Are located at the end of each main hallway. In the event of a fire, evacuate the building and meet at the northeast corner of the building in front of the greenhouse.
5. Emergency Showers – Are located in the main hallways of the building.
6. Eye Wash Stations – Are located near the sinks in each of the main labs.
7. First Aid Supplies – Are located in each sample prep lab (B2, B6, B7).
8. Chemical Spills – In the event of a chemical spill, locate and notify a CAM employee. Spill clean-up kits (large yellow containers) are available in each sample prep lab (B2, B6, B7).
9. Chemical Odors – Extremely hazardous chemicals are used in the CAM labs and elsewhere in the building. Fume hoods should be used when working with hazardous chemicals.  Notify a CAM employee of any suspicious odors within a CAM lab.  If in doubt, vacate the building immediately and meet at the northeast corner of the building in front of the greenhouse.
10. Broken Glass – Broken glass should be discarded in a metal garbage receptacle specifically designated for Broken Glass. Broken Glass receptacles are located in B2 and B7.  Broken glass, glass slides, glass coverslips containing biohazardous and/or transgenic materials should be discarded in the Biohazard Sharps container located in B7.
11. Sharps – Needles, syringes, and any contaminated sharp including razor blades, glass slides, glass coverslips, glass pipets, etc. should be discarded within a Biohazard Sharps container (B2 and B7). Consult with a CAM employee if you have questions about the appropriate use and disposal of any sharps material.
12. Razor Blades – Razor blades should be discarded in designated containers within each sample prep lab (B2, B6, B7). Razor blades that have been used with hazardous materials should be discarded within designated Biohazard Sharps containers (B2 and B7).
13. Glass Knives – Glass knives are extremely sharp and can be dangerous. Never leave glass knives unattended.  Cover with beakers when not in use.
14. Chemical Waste Disposal – Chemical waste containers are located in the fume hood in each sample prep lab (B2, B6, B7). Consult with a CAM employee if you have questions about the proper disposal of any hazardous material.  Additional information may be found on the EHS website: https://ehs.msu.edu/waste/waste-disposal-guidance.html
15. Safety Data Sheets/ OSHA Guide – These documents for the CAM are located in room B2.
16. Solvents – All solvents should be used with care and stored in the designated area, typically located under the fume hood located in each sample prep room (B2, B6, B7).
17. Acids and Bases – All acids and bases should be used with care and should be stored in the appropriate designated areas within each sample prep room (B2, B6, B7).
18. Osmium Tetroxide – Osmium Tetroxide is the most dangerous chemical routinely used within the CAM (B2 and B6). Avoid all contact.  Osmium tetroxide vapors will cause eye and lung damage.  Open and use only in a hood. If a spill occurs, pour vegetable oil or corn oil over the spill immediately and locate a CAM employee.  Notify all people in the room and vacate the room immediately. Corn oil is located in B2 in the cabinet below the sink.  Vegetable oil is located in B6 in the cabinet below the fume hood.
19. Glutaraldehyde, Acrolein, Formaldehyde – These chemicals are routinely used as fixatives for biological samples. Avoid all contact.  These vapors will damage nasal membranes, eyes, lungs, skin, etc. after prolonged exposure.  Always work with these chemicals with care and in the fume hood.
20. Other Toxic or Carcinogenic Chemicals – Lead and uranium compounds, arsenic containing buffers, chromium compounds, dichloroethane, toluidine, propylene oxide, and resins are commonly used within the CAM. When working with these chemicals, users should know and use appropriate safe handling procedures.
21. Compressed Gas Cylinders – Compressed gas cylinders are under great pressure. If the top is broken off, the cylinder can act as a rocket and can penetrate concrete block walls.  All gas cylinders must be fastened to a bench or wall with an approved device, except when being moved.  When transporting a gas cylinder, use an approved cylinder cart with the chain in place to secure the tank. 
22. Liquid Nitrogen – When dispensing or working with liquid nitrogen, always use approved gloves and safety goggles. Liquid nitrogen should only be dispensed into approved containers.
23. Live Human Pathogens, Animal Pathogens, and Biotoxins – These biohazardous materials are not allowed within the CAM. Consult a CAM employee if you are working with pathogenic material.  Live cell (BSL1) materials may be used in the confocal microscope lab (B7).  Consult with a CAM employee before working with any live cell material within the CAM.
24. Vacuum Evaporator – Never look at the vacuum evaporator device when a “burn” is being performed. The light emitted by the vacuum evaporator is similar to that from an arc welder and can cause permanent burns on the retina, even from a distance.  Welders’ goggles should always be used when performing a burn.  The unit should not be used without the implosion shield in place.
25. Critical Point Dryer – Used in preparation of SEM samples (B6). The chamber of the critical point dryer is under great pressure.  Care should be taken when operating the system.
26. Electron Microscopes – These systems operate at very high voltages and have dangerous x-rays present inside the systems. Never remove panels or perform unauthorized experiments.  Report and damaged or missing shielding to a CAM employee.
27. Laser Scanning Microscopes – These systems use class 3b lasers which can cause eye damage. Never remove panels or look into openings near the laser source.
28. Mercury Bulbs – May be used as a light source on Laser Scanning Microscopes. Mercury bulbs are under pressure and may explode if defective.  If a mercury bulb were to explode, mercury vapors would be released into the room.  Leave the room immediately and call EHS (517-355-0153) if this should occur.

Work in any laboratory exposes a person to risk of injury and illness from hazardous materials and equipment.  The risks associated with working in the Center for Advanced Microscopy (summarized on the attached sheet) have been explained to my satisfaction, and I have had the opportunity to ask questions about them.  By signing the form below, I acknowledge that I understand these risks, and I agree to the following conditions:

• To comply fully with all established safety regulations and practices.
• To seek out and consult with the instructor or another Center for Advanced Microscopy employee for advice in circumstances where safe practice may be in doubt.
• To warn visitors to the laboratory of existing hazards and to give appropriate supervision as needed.

MSU students, faculty, and staff may click here to submit your agreement online.

The CAM recommends that all users of laser-based instrumentation should first take the MSU laser safety course. MSU Faculty, Staff, and Students can find the training in the Ability platform.

• Once logged in, navigate to "My Requirements."
• Click the green plus to 'Add a Learning Track'
• Select 'laser safety' from the list to add the laser safety course to your requirements.
• Navigate back to 'My Requirements' and complete the laser safety course.
• Print and email your certificate to Dr. Frame, and she will schedule your site-specific training followup.

For researchers who have completed the necessary training, keys for specific microscope rooms are available for checkout with a $10 deposit. See any CAM Staff member to discuss. The receipient of the key must sign an agreement to comply with the following policy:

I agree to the following conditions:

1. All keys are for my use only and these keys will not be loaned to others.
2. All keys will be returned to the Center for Advanced Microscopy when I leave the University and I agree not to pass these keys on to others.
3. I understand that the Center for Advanced Microscopy policy is for all outer doors (rooms B2, B4, B5, B6, B7 and B8) to be kept closed and locked after hours (hours other than approximately 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday). I agree to keep these doors closed during these hours and to lock them when I leave the room.

All CAM users are expected to sign agreement with the following Microscope Usage Logging and Data Storage Regulations. Please ask if you have any questions or concerns.
1. All use of the microscopes at the Center for Advanced Microscopy must be entered into the logbook maintained for each microscope. Logbook entries are used for billing purposes. Failure to log usage properly may result in the termination of user privileges and/or 
referral for additional student conduct, employment, or other appropriate sanctions. 
2. No images or other forms of data may be stored on the computers attached to the microscopes at the Center for Advanced Microscopy. This includes both the hard drive and the “desktop.” Once data is stored on a computer, the data may not be effectively removed even by “deleting” the data. Data recovery and misuse by other users of the microscope is also possible. Storing funded research data on these computers may place the user in violation of the guidelines of the funding agency, including but not limited to the guidelines of the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA).
By signing the form below I acknowledge that I have been given a copy of the Center for Advanced Microscopy Microscope Usage Logging and Data Storage Regulations, that I have had opportunity to ask questions about these regulations, and that I agree to comply fully with these regulations.