Safety Notice - 2.1m Dome

Mandatory.

Safety Notice - 2.1m Otto Struve Telescope Dome

As many of you may be aware, and for those of you who are not, the 2.1m Otto Struve Telescope Dome suffered a mechanical failure in early February of 2015.

The nature of the failure, the need for ongoing, frequent inspection, and the long-duration, multiple phase nature of the repair process creates the pragmatic need for removal, and temporary storage, of the protective access covers that normally provide mechanical and electrical shielding from the dome's travel and power mechanisms.

In turn, there are two significant, but controllable safety hazards:

- due to the removal of the covers, the dome's electrical power slip-ring system, which is energized at 208VAC is exposed. This creates a personnel hazard for anyone who comes into contact with the energized slip-ring system, including the possibility of severe burns, electrocution, and death

- the dome's mechanical travel system is exposed, including support and guide rollers, the wire rope which trollies the dome on the stem wall, and other systems. This creates a personnel hazard for anyone who might become caught or entangled in the exposed mechanical system, including crushing injuries, amputation, and death

There is no hazard to anyone who remains safely on the observing floor - this hazard only exists for personnel who cross the double-chained barrier from the dome floor, ascending the stairs to the mezzanine and interior catwalk.

We will be enhancing the signage in the next several days - at present, there is a sign in place indicating "AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY", along with a double chain barrier at the landings of the stair.

Please heed this signage. There is no operational need for any observer, staff, or resident to enter this area. No authorization to enter this area has been provided for any person, for any reason. Physical Plant, Observing Support, and Safety & Security staff are trained to work in this area, and have the ability to execute electrical lock-out and mechanical lock-out of the systems, which are required in order to safely access this area.

If you have questions, or feel that for some reason you need access to the mezzanine and interior catwalk, first confirm with one of the following individuals:

- Coyne Gibson or Dave Doss (Observing Support)

- Danny Specer or Kelly Guynes (Physical Plant)

- Steve Bramlett (Safety & Security)

To emphasize: The 2.1m dome interior catwalk, and mezzanine are off-limits, to any and all personnel. Please do not climb over, remove, or otherwise attempt to defeat the chain barriers on the stairs, use moveable ladders to ascend to the interior catwalk, or otherwise access this area.