January 2021: Diamond is currently NOT allowing users on site. Due to the UK national pandemic restrictions only remote or mail-in experiments will be possible.
Once we return to welcoming users back, the following guidance will be relevant: To ensure you keep yourself and others healthy and safe you need to read through and familiarise yourself with the COVID-19 Onsite Working Protocols, a link to the protocols is provided below. Once you have read the protocols please proceed to do the training which needs to be done at least 48 hours before arriving at Diamond.
To complement the measures that we already have in place to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19, we have now started rolling out lateral flowand PCR testing and we would like to strongly encourage all users who attend beamtime at Diamond to undertake a lateral flow test every 3 days. Further information can be found below.
You will also find instructions below on the conditions and rules for actions that need to be taken in case you become ill whilst at Diamond. There is also information on access to kitchens and restaurants, with contact information.
January 2021: no users will be able to come to Diamond, please keep an eye out for updates here.
When we return to enabling some users to come a maximum of 2 investigators can be at the beamline at any one time.
Shift working will be considered, with a total of 4 users per visit working in teams of 2 people
Please note that preparation and experiments at beamlines is taking longer than previously.
Please read the Working Protocols as well as the Site Instructions and User Information document on important information about working conditions at Diamond.
January 2021: users are currently not allowed on site at Diamond
To complement the measures that we already have in place to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19, we strongly encourage all users who attend beamtime at Diamond to undertake a lateral flow (LFT) test every 3 days whilst at Diamond.
Users will need to book a test appointment and complete their personal information form here at least 12 hours in advance of attending site.
The testing station is likely to be in high demand so early booking is advised and if you cannot find a suitable slot, please contact covidtesting@diamond.ac.uk
If you choose not to participate in our LTF programme (or you are not able to participate for health or other reasons), please let us know (by clicking here) so that we have a record of the reasons behind your decision and can appreciate your concerns if any.
To help get your session fully in place before you arrive, you must submit your session information 2 weeks in advance, and at the latest 1 week before you arrive.
You must read all emails/correspondence from Diamond and complete the COVID-19 training.
You must read the Instructions for User document accessible from a link on this page, this provides important information on what to expect before and during your visit to Diamond.
All session details must be submitted 2 weeks in advance and if this is not possible an absolute minimum of 1 week before your visit otherwise STFC may block access to site. Some processes have become longer due to COVID-19 and require more time to complete. Diamond needs as much information as possible on numbers of investigators, their requirements and details of the session requirements, including ERA information.
Diamond expects PIs, ACs or Session Team Leaders to confirm that their session team members coming to Diamond are permitted to travel and have undertaken the required COVID-19 training.
We will be including the following confirmation in UAS which Team Leaders must tick:
I confirm that all session investigators that are coming to Diamond have undertaken the COVID-19 Working Protocol Training, and are not subject to any restrictions from their institution, local council or government lockdown that would prevent myself or any investigators from travelling or staying overnight. If circumstances change before the visit please inform Diamond as soon as possible.
Please go to the main gate to collect your badge as normal. The gate will be informed that you are arriving and will issue this to you.
If you already have your badge please remember to bring it with you.
The first time a user comes to Diamond under the COVID-19 working conditions the local contact will arrange to meet you in the Atrium and you will be given a welcome pack containing some face masks, sanitisation gel and written guidance, and be given instruction on use of the Wellostation temperature measuring system.
Users (red ‘USERS’ lanyard) will be expected to use the WelloStationX thermometry station in the Atrium of Diamond House at the beginning of their day on every visit to Diamond site. This non-contact system will measure the individual’s temperature and provide a pass sticker if it’s within a healthy range. The sticker must be displayed on their pass at all times whilst working at Diamond.
If the WelloStationX gives a red reading this means a high temperature has been measured and yopu should leave site immediately.
Please keep your user badge after your session, do not hand this in. If you have further sessions, please bring it along for your next visit. We currently are not able to accept return of user badges.
January 2021 - Diamond is currently not accepting users on site
If this is your first visit to Diamond under COVID-19 conditions, you must arrive at the beamlines/labs between 09.00 and 14.00 to ensure you get your induction done in a timely fashion (this is taking a great deal longer under the current working protocols than is used to.)
Social distancing and COVID-19 working protocols significantly increase the length of time required to perform tasks. The productivity of a day now will not be the same as pre-pandemic. Please take this into account when planning your experiments.
The User Office currently remains closed.
The team is working from home 08:30 –16:30 Monday to Friday and can be contacted by email useroffice@Diamond.ac.uk
All enquiries should in the first instance be made to the email address above.
Out of Hours 16:30-08:30 –ONLY
Contact the EHC team on ext. 8787
Ridgeway House has produced a User Guide which can be found here
If at any point you find you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 you must follow the instructions found in the Instructions for User document accessible from a link on this page. Do not come to Diamond if you have any COVID-19 symptoms. If you are on site and experience symptoms you must leave site.
It is crucial that you have read the working protocols and have undertaken the training before you come to Diamond. You will not be able to come to Diamond if you have not undertaken the training.
If you test positive for COVID-19 within ten days after leaving Diamond site, please inform your Diamond Local Contact and Diamond User Office
Lab space is especially limited due to social distancing measures and Lab Inductions also take longer. Please ensure you follow instructions given in your lab induction, including staying within your allocated working area.
Arrive between 09:00 and 14:00 for LAb space induction. Under current working conditions this is take substantial time to undertake.
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For Users