Beamline Operations and Safety Awareness

BLOSA Forms

Beam Line Operations and Safety Awareness (BLOSA) Training  is required by every user for each beamline at which the user will perform experiments. BLOSA training is intended to provide the user with an awareness of specific safety issues in the local environment where a user will be working and with important operational information specific to the beamline.

BLOSA training is conducted in person at the beamline by a trainer designated by the beamline. Training is valid for two years. Some beamlines, at their discretion, may require more frequent training intervals.

Each beamline designates specific trainers to provide BLOSA training. BLOSA trainers must be trained by another designated trainer when possible. A designated BLOSA trainer should not self-train except under special circumstances.

Each beamline may decide how to provide the BLOSA training to users, including those who begin experiments during off-hours. All users arriving after the start of the experiment will be expected to receive BLOSA training at the time of arrival.

Completed BLOSA forms are to be deposited into a folder attached to the beamline's Yellow Safety Board. The forms are formal training records and will be collected by the Operations Coordinators (OPCOs) and later entered into the user's training record.

The Safety Approval Form (SAF) for each experiment will show the BLOSA training status for each user. The SAF is used by the OpCos to verify training and other information. Although not required, beamlines may wish to maintain a log of the training dates and names of newly trained users for training verification.

With the exception of beamlines used for machine diagnostics, all beamlines that are in service must have a BLOSA form. All content on the BLOSA form is databased. Beamline staff should contact the NSLS Training Coordinator to prepare new or updated BLOSA form templates for their beamline.