Safety

In order to utilize the BSU Think Tank everyone must review the safety policies, complete the safety quiz below, and score a 15/15.

Safety Quiz

Safety Policies

Everyone needs to read the safety information page and every one must pass a safety quiz before entering the space.

Nobody can be in the Makerspace Think Tank on off hours, with the exceptions being Analytical Instrumentation staff, Supervisor Lab Monitors, and a designated person from each department housing equipment in the Think Tank. The designated staff can only use the equipment that they housed in the Think Tank, and their department is responsible for that staff using it during off hours.

Workshops – staff-to-child ratio 1:5. Kids must be 6+. Workshops will have a rating for ages.

What happens when someone doesn’t follow safety rules?

Verbal warning -Lab Supervisor or Lab Tech
Verbal warning – Rob Monteith- Director
Written up – Will have to retake the quiz and be retrained on equipment
Probation period
Will no longer have any access to the BSU Think Tank

Types of Makerspace Users:

Supervisor Lab Monitor

Supervisor Lab Monitors have met the requirements of Lab Technician, have completed OSHA training, and have been appointed by the Operations Manager for Manufacturing Laboratories.
Supervisor Lab Monitors may open the facility and supervise other authorized lab users.

Lab Technician

Lab Technicians have met the requirements for Advanced Users and have been interviewed by a Supervisor Lab Monitor. Lab Technicians are required to enforce all lab use and safety policies as well as stop any unsafe activity they observe whether they are acting as the current lab monitor or simply passing by.
Lab Technicians may open the facility and supervise Advanced Users only.

Advanced User

Advanced Users have met the requirements of Basic User and have completed the Makerspace Safety Training, have been trained on all the equipment, and passed the respective quiz.
Advanced Users may work in the facilities as long as a Lab Technician is present or Supervisor Lab Monitor.

Basic User

Basic Users have reviewed the general user and safety policies, they have completed the lab safety quiz, and have been trained on equipment they are using.
Basic Users may only work in the facility as long as there is a Lab Technician or Supervisor Lab Monitor.

General Rules

Machines and equipment shall be operated by authorized personnel only.
Never use a machine if you are NOT trained – always get training before operating any machinery.
You must attend general safety training and specific training on the machine you intend to use. If you are unfamiliar with a particular tool or instrument, do not use it until you are properly trained on its usage.
Never work alone – always use a “buddy system.”
At least two adults must be in the shop when power tools are being used. Use of shop is not allowed without Shop Supervisor permission
Never use machine when impaired - be sober and smart. This includes when you are sick, too tired, stressed or hurried to work carefully or on medication that could make you drowsy.
Never start work if you cannot do the job safely- just don’t do it.
There are limits to how safely you can do it in hurry.
Never wear open toe shoes -use closed-toe shoes in the shop. Leather steal toe boots are preferred.
Never work without proper eye protection - always wear appropriate safety glasses or goggles when working or cleaning tools. Prescription glasses with plastic lenses must meet ANSI Standard Z87.1 for safety.
Long hair, necklaces, ties, dangling ID badge, jewelry, loose clothes, watches or rings, may get caught in tools can drag you along resulting in serious injury or death. Always remove or secure anything that might get caught in moving machinery.
Be careful of sharp objects
Dust, chemicals and smoke are dangerous, work in well-ventilated areas, minimize contamination and use appropriate protective equipment (PPE).
If you’re unsure about the safe operation of a tool or any aspect of a job – have shop staff check the tool or work with which you are unfamiliar. Never be shy to seek help –always ask
Exercise common sense and clarify before starting work
Cutters and tools shall be in the clear before machines are started.
Clean-up chips, spills, etc., on and around machinery after each use.
Never leave your work area in mess – always clean up after yourself.
Don't tamper with safety guards.
Never use gloves while using rotating equipment – remove them before starting work. Gloves can get tangled in rotating machine parts resulting in serious injuries.
Never leave broken, damaged tools or abnormal equipment unreported – Always inform the Shop Supervisor to remove the damaged equipment for service and repair.
Never make any adjustments to a machine when it is in operation, pause or stop the machine to make adjustments.
When tightening work in chuck jaws with chuck wrench, operator shall see that wrench fits properly; operator should take proper stance when tightening jaws to prevent falling if wrench slips.
When placing or removing heavy castings or billets from machines, operator shall get help or crane service to prevent injury.
Operators shall stand so that they can easily reach the machine controls.
Always report any injuries to the Lab Supervisor or Tab Technician.

Lab Equipment

3D Printer

Allow the print to cool for 5 minutes before removing it from the print bed.
Never touch the print nozzle or the print bed while the printer is printing.
For Resin 3D printers, make sure that you open the vent on the top of the resin tank before starting your print and you close it when finished.
Resin print bed must be clean before printing.
After printing make sure to clean the printing bed with isopropyl alcohol
When using the resin printers, make sure you wear gloves when moving pieces into the alcohol bath and to the UV container.
When removing and post-processing a piece wear safety glasses.

CNC Machine

Everyone in the lab must wear safety glasses when CNC is in operation
Check tool length before you start your project.
Make sure your material is securely clamped to table before starting.
Do not set up for project with the spindle on.
Make sure you are ready to push the Emergency Stop button at any time.
Keep your hands clear of the area when CNC is running.
Let machine go to home position and stop running before reaching in to unclamp, remove, or alter material.
Make sure the spindle direction is correct and the speed is correct for your specific project.
Make sure any burrs or sharp edges are cleaned up after project is completed to minimize chance of cuts.
If any parts are broken do not use machine, do not try to fix machine, and report to Lab Technician or Supervisor Lab Monitor immediately.
If parts or machinery breaks due to negligence or abuse the user is financially responsible for it.
Keep CNC doors closed when operating the machine, if machine is in its cage.

Sewing/Embroidery Machine

Always keep ventilation openings of the machine and foot control free of build up of lint, dust, and loose cloth.
Never store items on the foot controller.
Do not use bent or damaged needles.
Switch the machine to off, "O" position, before making any adjustments to the needle area.
Do not use a damaged or incorrect needle plate, it could cause the needle to break.
Do not push or pull the fabric when sewing, and follow careful instructions when free-motion switching so that you do not deflect the needle and cause it to break.

Voltera Circuit Maker

Do not touch the bed of the printer when the LED lights on either side are red, as the printer will be very hot.
Remove any combustible material from the printing area before starting.
Do not ingest the conductive ink or solder paste. Keep these materials away from eyes and mouths.
Wash hands thoroughly after handling these materials.
Keep the conductive ink away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces.
Keep caps on the probe and dispensing nozzles when not in use.
Do not touch or alter the machine while it is running.

NewForm Vac Former

Never allow any liquid to enter the vacuum system.
Ensure the molds are sealed to prevent dust from entering the vacuum system.
Make sure the machine is clean before and after your project.
Parts of this machine can reach 300 degrees Celsius. Do not handle your project without proper safety equipment.
Make sure the space is properly ventilated because heating plastic will release fumes.
Only use sheet plastic in this machine.
Do not put or leave parts on top of the heater or the heater guard.

Soldering Equipment

Do not touch the heated end of the soldering iron.
Never solder a live circuit.
Never try to catch the soldering iron if it is falling.
Never leave flammable items on the soldering station.
Make sure you are using the correct temperature for your specific project.
Make sure to clean off the tip of soldering iron frequently.
Make sure to turn off machine when not in use.
Make sure soldering iron is put back in holder after using it.
Always wear safety glasses when soldering.
Make sure soldering vents are on when soldering.
If using lead solder, make sure to wear safety gloves to prevent lead exposure to skin.
If soldering iron machine is damaged or broken do not try to fix it, do not use it, report it to Lab Technician or Supervisor Lab Monitor.

Belt Sander

Always sand with downward motions, never upward motions
Do not use sander if the belt is broken or ripped, tell a Lab Technician or Supervisor Lab Monitor.
Make sure the parts are not loose or dull before operating machine.
Make sure the machine has stopped before making any adjustments.
Everyone in the lab must wear safety glasses when machine is in operation, mask for operator is recommended but not required.

Machine Shop Equipment

Laser cutter

Do not use PVC or any other material with chlorine compounds in the laser cutter.
Do not leave the laser cutter unattended while it is running.
Do not stare at the laser.
Do not remove material from bed until it has cooled.
Make sure the laser cutter bed and machine are cleared from debris or clutter before operating.
Always clean up any debris from the laser cutter after your print.
Turn on air filtration when running the laser cutter.
Make sure that your material fits securely in the bed of the laser cutter. You may need to weigh down your material if it is too light.
Make sure that you properly measure the thickness of your piece before cutting it.

Lathe

All materials shall be properly secured in chucks and collets before machines are started.
Do not leave chuck wrench in chuck after removing work from chuck.
Keep hands off chuck rims when lathe is in motion.
Do not attempt to screw chuck on lathe spindle with power on, as it may get cross-threaded and cause an accident.
Safety-type lathe dogs shall be used when turning work on centers.
See that tail stock, tool holder and work are properly clamped before turning on power.
It is dangerous to shift step pulley belts with the hands while the belts are in motion with power on; use a belt pole or other suitable stick.
Do not attempt to adjust a tool while the lathe is running.
Operators shall not attempt to use micrometers on revolving work.

Drill Press

Never attempt to hold the work under the drill by hand; clamp it securely to the table before starting the machine.
When tightening drill in chuck of drill press, remove release key before you start machine, or your arm may be twisted around spindle. Never leave key in chuck.
Use drills properly sharpened to cut to the right size.
Run the drill only at the correct speed; forcing or feeding too fast may cause broken drills and result in serious injury.
If the work should slip from clamp, never attempt to stop it with your hands. Stop the machine to make any adjustment or repair.
Drills, reamers, etc., must never be forced by exerting excess pressure on the feed lever. Tools may break and cause injury.

Saws

Wear safety glasses, goggles or a face shield at all times while using the saw.
If the cutting operation is dusty, wear a dust mask.
Do not wear gloves while operating a table saw.
Avoid long sleeves, ties, dangling jewelry or any other loose fitting clothing while operating a table saw. The clothing could get caught in the blade.
Wear non-slip footwear.
Use a push stick to cut stock that is 150 cm or less in width.
Use a stop block when you crosscut short lengths.
Position your body so that it is NOT in line with the blade. This is to avoid being injured by flying sawdust, woodchips or the work.
The height of the blade should be set just slightly higher than the stock being cut. It should never be more than 6mm above the height of the stock. This is to ensure that if your hand slip you only receive a slight cut and do not lose a limb.
Always stand firmly on the floor and avoid any awkward operations. This is to avoid falling into the blade by slipping or losing your balance.
Pay attention to the work being performed.
Do not reach behind or over the blade unless it has stopped turning.
Do not leave the saw until the blade has come to a complete stop.
Always disconnect the power prior to changing the blade or performing any other maintenance operation.
After any adjustment, make sure that the blade is free before you turn on the power.
Ensure that the guides are positioned properly and that the tabletop is smooth and polished. An unclean or rough table requires you to use more force to push the stock through the blade. The more force that you are required to use the more chance that you may slip or lose your balance.
Maintain the rip fence parallel to the blade so the stock will not bind on the blade and be thrown.
Check the throat plate to ensure that it fits exactly and has a slot just slightly larger than the blade. Never operate a table saw with the throat plate removed
Do not make free-hand cuts on the table saw. The stock must be guided through the blade either by the rip fence or the mitre gauge.
Keep the blades' guards, spreaders and anti-kickback devices in place and operating properly. The spreader must be in alignment with the blade and the anti-kickback device must be in place and operating properly. Their action must be checked before cutting.
Work should be released only when it has gone past the blade.
Whenever the stock is lifted or tilted above the surface of the table, the saw can shake the stock, causing you to lose your grip.
Check that the stock has no nails, knots screw, stones etc. in it prior to cutting into the wood. These items can become projectiles and cause injury.
Do not use the fence and a mitre gauge at the same time, unless they are both on the same side of the fence.
A circular table saw should be guarded with a hood (crown guard) that completely covers the blade projecting above the table. The guard should ride the thickness of the stock being cut, adjusting to the thickness of the stock.
The fence must not be adjusted while the saw is running.
While long stock is sometimes crosscut on a table saw, it is not a good practice. The long stock may interfere with other operations and may be a hazard to other workers or equipment. It is also difficult to support and is better cut on a swing saw, pull saw or radial arm saw.

Milling Machine

All work shall be secured properly, and all loose objects removed from tables before machines are operated.
Cutters shall be checked for cracks or breaks before mounting and shall be securely mounted before operations are started.
Operators shall keep head and hands away from cutters when the machine is in operation.
File tangs or other makeshift drifts shall not be used to remove taper shank tools. Proper drifts are available in tool rooms.
Safety guards shall be placed around any work item extending beyond the machine table.
Milling cutters and other hardened tools shall not be struck with a steel hammer. Blocks of wood, rawhide, or copper hammers should be used.
Proper feeds and speeds shall be selected before operations are started.
Machines shall be stopped before any attempts are made to measure or check work.
Guards and baffles shall be used to protect others from flying chips, oil, or coolants.
Operators shall be sure that cutters and feeds are turning in the proper direction so the cutters will not climb up or jam. Such an accident can cause injury to the work, the machine, and the operator as well.

Operation and Grinders
Caution: All grinding wheels operate at dangerous speeds.

See that the grinding wheel fits easily on the spindle. It is dangerous to force it on, nor should it be too loose.
Washers or flange facings or compressible material shall be fitted between the wheel and its flanges. If blotting paper is used, it should not be thicker than .025 inch.
After a wheel is mounted, allow it to develop full operating speed; meanwhile, stand to one side and out of danger. Never apply the work until this speed test has been made and the wheel has been properly dressed. Under no condition should the wheel revolve faster than the safe R.P.M. recommended by the manufacturer as shown on the label.
Do not force work against a cold wheel, but apply it gradually, giving the wheel an opportunity to warm, thus reducing the chance of breakage. This applies to starting work in the mornings in cold rooms and to new wheels which have been stored in a cold place.
Wheel dressers, except the diamond type, shall be equipped with guards over the tops of the cutters to protect against flying pieces, broken cutters, or wheel particles.
Operator shall see that wheel turns freely and is properly mounted before operating.
All wheels should be given the "ring" test before they are mounted on machines.
Tap the wheel gently with a light nonmetallic implement, such as the handle of a screwdriver for light wheels, or a wooden mallet for heavier wheels. If the wheel sounds cracked (dead), the wheel must be replaced. A sound and undamaged wheel will give off a clear metallic tone.
Wheels must be dry and free from sawdust when performing the ring test; otherwise, the sound will be deadened.
The wheels should be tapped at 45° on each side of the vertical centerline of the wheel.
Then, the wheel should be rotated 45° and the test repeated again.
Gloves should not be worn while operating grinders.
Dust collectors or other exhaust systems shall be in operation during grinding operations on machines so equipped.
Tools or other loose objects shall be kept off machines in operation.
Wheel guards shall be kept in place and in good condition while machine is in operation.
Safe operating speeds are marked on wheels by manufacturers.
Operators shall not run wheels faster than recommended speeds.
Operators shall avoid standing directly in front of grinding wheels, especially when starting.
Wheels loaded or clogged with metal shall not be used until dressed.
Grinding wheels out of round or out of balance shall be trued before using.
Eye protective equipment with side shields shall be worn while grinders are being operated.
Grindings wheels shall be equipped with tool rests, same must not be worn more than one-eighth inch from stone and work held firmly thereon.
It is unsafe to adjust a work-rest while the grinding wheel is in motion. The rest may slip and break the wheel.
The side of an emery wheel shall not be used for grinding unless it is a special-type wheel for that purpose.
Be especially careful when grinding narrow tools. They are apt to catch between the rest and the wheel.

Welding

All welding operations shall follow the Job Safety Rules for welding
Safety spectacles, either prescription or plain type, or a face shield, shall be worn on the job.
Work shoes (safety shoes recommended) should be worn by all machinists since handling material is an essential part of this occupation.
Gloves are recommended for protection in handling material but must not be worn when operating machines.