Experiment Safety

Safety at the ALS

We consider safety to be a core value that helps advance the mission of the ALS, which is to “advance science for the benefit of society by providing our world-class synchrotron light source capabilities and expertise to a broad scientific community.” It is important for our working environment to develop strategies and best practices to ensure the well-being of our community.

The ALS has well-established safety requirements to minimize risk and help maintain a safe workplace. The Health and Safety team at the ALS works together with the beamline scientists to ensure that the potential hazards of every experiment are evaluated and that precautions are taken to minimize the safety risks. Descriptions of some of our requirements as well as best-practices are found below.

Experiment Safety Assessment Form (ESAF)

Every experiment performed at the ALS is required to have an ESAF, which is true for both remote and in-person projects. This form is a document describing the experimental set-up, chemicals, and the associated hazards. This form must be completed several weeks before an experiment begins to enable ALS staff time to evaluate the potential hazards. Every on-site user involved in the experiment must electronically sign the ESAF. Instructions can be found here.

Online and In-Person Safety Training

The ALS has several training requirements that must be met before experiments may begin. Badge access to the experiment floor is only granted after a set of minimum online training requirements has been completed, which ensures everyone working on a beamline has a basic understanding of safety at the lab. You may explore the online training requirements page for more information. Users also go through on-the-job training with the beamline scientists before they are authorized to work independently. This in-person training differs by beamline and experiment type.

How Do I…?

• Complete an Experiment Safety Assessment Form? (Do this once beam time is scheduled.)
• Complete Safety Training?
• Bring and Use Electrical Equipment at the ALS?
• Determine What Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Wear?
• Get Authorization to Work with Lasers at the ALS?
• Work with Radioactive Materials at the ALS?
• Ship Samples and Equipment to and from the ALS?
• Purchase, Deliver, and Store Gases?
• Work with Biological Materials?
• Work with Chemicals?
• Work with Regulated Soil?

ALS Safety Staff Contact Information