General Policy Statement
To ensure safe, efficient, and equitable use of the Agilent Laboratory for Chemical Analysis (ALCA), all users must comply with University of Vermont laboratory safety requirements and the facility-specific policies outlined below.
These policies apply to all ALCA users, including independent instrument users, staff-assisted service users, internal collaborators, and external users.
Training & Facility Access
User Eligibility
- All users must complete required UVM EHS laboratory safety training prior to working in ALCA.
- Additional instrument-specific training may be required depending on the instrumentation being used.
New Users
Independent use is only permitted once users demonstrate competency in proper instrument operation and facility procedures.Step layout:
- All new users must contact ALCA staff and receive approval before using facility instrumentation.
- Training must be completed before independent instrument access is granted.
Research Group Approval
- Graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and other supervised users must provide the name of their Principal Investigator (PI) or supervising faculty member.
- PI approval may be required prior to training or instrument access.
Scheduling & Facility Usage
Reservations
- Users are responsible for reserving sufficient time for setup, sample analysis, and cleanup.
- Instrument reservations must be made in advance through iLabs.
Cancellations & Changes
- Reservation changes or cancellations should be made at least 12 hours in advance whenever possible.
- Late cancellations or missed reservations may result in charges at the discretion of the facility.
Late Arrivals
- Users arriving significantly late for scheduled reservations may lose access to that reserved time and may be required to reschedule.
- Charges may still apply for reserved instrument time.
Billing
- Certain consumables, specialty reagents, columns, standards, or requested supplies may be billed separately.
- Instrument usage, analytical services, staff-assisted work, and method development are billed according to current ALCA rates.
Sample Submission & Analytical Services
Sample Submission
- Sample submissions for analytical services should be made through iLabs using the appropriate virtual submission forms.
- PDF submission forms may be provided for reference, but iLabs remains the preferred official submission pathway.
Sample Compatibility
- Users are responsible for ensuring submitted samples are compatible with requested instrumentation.
- Sample preparation requirements vary by instrument and should be reviewed prior to submission.
Method Development
- Novel, complex, or non-standard analyses may require consultation and method development charges
Facility Conduct & Instrument Care
User Responsibilities
Users are expected to:
- Follow all posted facility procedures and staff instructions
- Operate instruments only within approved training scope
- Report instrument problems or irregular performance immediately
- Handle laboratory equipment and consumables responsibly
Cleanup
Users must:
- Leave instrumentation in ready-to-use condition for the next user
- Remove all samples and personal materials after use
- Clean instrument work areas, benches, and accessories after completion
Damage / Misuse
- Damage resulting from improper use, unauthorized operation, or failure to follow procedures may result in suspension of access and/or financial responsibility.
Safety Requirements
Required PPE
Users must wear appropriate laboratory PPE, including:
- Safety glasses or goggles
- Closed-toe shoes
- Long pants
- Closed-toe shoes
Chemical Handling
- All chemicals must be handled according to University of Vermont safety policies and SDS guidance.
- Hazardous solvents must be used in designated fume hoods when required.
- Users are responsible for proper chemical labeling, handling, and disposal.
Incident Reporting
- Any spills, accidents, injuries, or unsafe conditions must be reported immediately to ALCA staff.
Policy Enforcement
Failure to comply with ALCA policies may result in suspension of instrument access, additional charges, retraining requirements, or revocation of facility privileges.
Questions?
Questions regarding facility access, training, billing, scheduling, or safety should be directed to ALCA staff.