At the beginning of your experiments, this general training is complemented by a mandatory on-site safety training and beamline orientation that will point out specific details about the operation and safety features and emergency equipment present at the TOMCAT beamline where you will conduct your experiments. This beamline orientation will be administered by your TOMCAT local contact and is required for all members of external user groups. Prior to conducting experiments at the TOMCAT beamlines, the PI or leading researcher of each user group must also complete and sign the facility’s safety declaration form.
For TOMCAT-related safety questions, please consult with your local contact or contact the TOMCAT safety officer directly:
| TOMCAT safety officer | phone number | |
|---|---|---|
| Christian Schlepütz | christian.schlepuetz@psi.ch | +41 56 310 40 95 |
TOMCAT has three sample preparation labs: one adjacent to the I-TOMCAT control room 1, one adjacent to the S-TOMCAT control room, and a shared sample prep lab adjacent to the I-TOMCAT control room 2. Use the sample preparation lab closest to your endstation or as designated by your local contact.
The small sample preparation labs at TOMCAT are equipped with the basic tools and equipment necessary to prepare samples and to mount them on holders. As such, they are not a fully equipped chemical laboratory!
Separate tools are provided for work with either normal samples (blue boxes), or any biological samples (green boxes). Please always use the appropriate equipment and make sure they do not get mixed up.
Please keep the work area clean at all times and follow the posted instructions. After your experiments, clean up all work areas and remove all of your own equipment. Wipe down the work area with normal lab alcohol (70%) and leave the place in such as state as you would like to find it in when you arrive for your own experiments.
A large fridge and freezer unit, located in the sample preparation lab at the S-TOMCAT beamline, is available for sample and chemicals storage. All items entering the fridge must be thoroughly labelled according to the instructions on the fridge (sample labels are available on the right side of the fridge). Unlabelled items can and will be disposed of at any time without further notice. However, users are absolutely required to remove all of their samples, chemicals, and waste upon the conclusion of their experiments.
Note that this fridge is strictly for sample storage - Never store any food or drinks in this fridge!
A laminar flow hood, located at the I-TOMCAT sample preparation lab, can be used for sample preparation involving solvents. Depending on the chemicals and processes required, the laminar flow hood available might not be sufficiently secure and well-equipped to carry out the work. Instead, users should request access to the shared user chemistry laboratory of SLS. To do so, check the corresponding box ("I intend to use the SLS chemistry laboratory WSLA/028") when applying for your badge and dosimeter through the DUO system prior to your arrival at PSI. Consult the chemistry lab user manual for further information on its usage rules and the available equipment.
Snacks and drinks can be consumed in the beamlines' control rooms. However, it is strongly recommended to use the SLS break room or the TimeOut facilities for the consumption of larger meals. According to SLS regulations, the consumption of alcoholic beverages at the beamlines is not permitted!
Also note that food/drinks and samples/chemicals have to be kept strictly separate. Therefore, no food or drinks are allowed in the sample preparation lab and the experimental hutch. Vice versa, no samples or chemical can be used in the control rooms.
As a courtesy, TOMCAT provides a small food fridge in the S-TOMCAT control room and the I-TOMCAT control room 1, where users can store snacks and drinks for the duration of their experiments. Please label all of your fridge items and remove them from the food fridge and clean the fridge upon your departure. Never store any food in the sample fridge!
Note that the experimental hutch is a radiation-controlled zone. No food or drinks shall be brought into the hutch!