Safety Procedures
Specimen Exchange Holder
- The specimen holder rod is a precision device and is easily damaged. The specimen clamps that secure the grid to the holder can be easily broken off. The holder will be bent and ruined if dropped.
- Incorrect handling of the specimen holder during exchange may vent the column. Column venting is a serious mishap that can cause major problems or damage. Minimally, it can take several hours to restore an adequate vacuum environment before use. Proper training is crucial for this step.
Vacuum
As mentioned above, the column vacuum can be lost through specimen exchange mishaps.
The film camera vacuum can be lost by accidently turning the camera chamber door lever. This lever is situated at waist level above the foot well.
Electrical and General Safety
- Please do not walk around the back of the TEM for any reason. If something has fallen back there, or something is unplugged, please contact lab personnel.
- It is not permitted to have food or drink in any of the microscope labs. If a spill results and the TEM is harmed, your account will be charged for the damage.
- Water is used to cool parts of the TEM, and occasionally leaks occur. If you notice any water on the floor that you didn't cause, leave the room immediately and contact either lab personnel, or Public Safety (487-2216).
Liquid Nitrogen
Liquid nitrogen is used to cool the EDS detector all year and the ACD units during the summer when the indoor humidity is high. Please use caution when working with LN2. Safety glasses and gloves are required!
See also Properties of LN2 under General Lab Safety in Support.
Radiation Hazard
The TEM produces a very high energy electron beam, up to 300 kV, and can produce stray radiation. The electron column is lead shielded in a manner that is designed to absorb the stray radiation and protect the user from harm. We periodically examine the shielding for effectiveness. Do not remove any shielding or use the TEM if you observe missing shielding. Michigan law requires licensing and annual inspections, but does not require electron microscope operators to wear radiation monitoring tags.
See also Radiation Hazard under General Lab Safety in Support.
