1.       Purpose

The purpose of these guidelines is intended to support access to, and use of equipment owned and operated by the University of Queensland Earth Observation Research Centre (EORC). The guidelines outline the conditions for borrowing and using equipment form the EORC.

2.       Scope

These guidelines apply to all personnel external to the EORC which wish to utilise equipment for research, teaching and scientific non-commercial purposes.

3.       Definitions

3.1    EORC – Earth Observation Research Centre

3.2    EORC Representative – A member of staff or nominated representative of the EORC

3.3    The Borrower – The person(s) borrowing the equipment

4.       Borrowing Guidelines

4.1    All equipment must be booked by submission of a request on the EORC website.

4.2    Equipment is to be collected from EORC storage, unless otherwise arranged.

4.3    All equipment must be signed out by an EORC representative.

4.4    In some cases, the EORC representative may require the borrower to undergo training before equipment is signed out.

4.5    Equipment must be returned to the EORC by the agreed-upon date. Unless discussed prior with an EORC representative, late return of equipment may result in loss of access to equipment.

4.6    Upon return of equipment, the equipment must be inspected and signed in by an EORC representative.

4.7    Any issues/faults must be recorded in the equipment maintenance log, located in the documents folder.

5.       Conditions of Use

5.1    All equipment must be operated by an approved and trained operator, where appropriate.

5.2    Equipment is only to be used for authorised purposes, that is purposes outlined in the application for equipment borrowing.

5.3    The borrower is liable for any loss or damage to the equipment. The borrower must return the equipment in the same condition it was borrowed. However, if loss or damage does occur to the equipment, or any accompanying components and accessories the borrower accepts responsibility and will meet the cost of the insurance excess and/or repair/replacement costs.

5.4    Take all reasonable precautions to ensure the equipment is protected from loss or theft, including storing the equipment in a secure place. Equipment must never be left unattended in a vehicle or elsewhere for any period.

5.5    The borrower must take all reasonable precautions to ensure the equipment is protected from damage and exposure of the equipment to dust, sand, water and extremes of temperature.

5.6    Do not attempt to repair or modify any equipment.

5.7    The borrower will organise and incur all costs of transportation/shipping.

5.8    Non-University of Queensland borrowers will be required to agree to and sign a lease agreement.

6.       Data Management

6.1    All collected data is to be provided to the EORC in raw format with accompanying meta-data listing where/when/what data were collected, upon completion of borrowing for storage in a secure environment where it will not be shared.