Objective & Staff Duties

Definition and duties for authorized Personnel & Staff

1. “Authorized Personnel” are those users of the GWW instructional and fabrication spaces who have 24/7 access (either through a key or buzzcard) to any of the areas and are responsible to:
  1. Provide safety oversight in their respective control areas and enforce the user safety agreement.
  2. Develop and maintain up-to-date training curriculum for new equipment/machine added in their specific areas/zones. Submit any new or revised curriculum to the corresponding GWW staff.
  3. Assist the corresponding GWW staff facility coordinators in posting safety signage as recommended by the Safety Task Force
2. Faculty, Staff, TAs, volunteer students, PIs (Prototyping Instructors from the Invention Studio) can be considered as “authorized personnel” as long as they receive qualification/authorization from a superior level staff and/or EH&S, as required. They may need to be trained on being able to handle safety hazards like extinguishing fire, using emergency stops, etc.
3. In addition to the responsibilities listed for Authorized Personnel, the corresponding GWW staff Facility Coordinators are expected to:
  1. Maintain an updated record of all Authorized Personnel with their respective control areas and revise it at the beginning and end of the semester.
  2. Conduct periodic tool inspections, using the equipment assessment and room assessment form created by EH&S.
4. The GWW Staff Facility Coordinators may be required to report to the Design Facilities & Instructional Lab Committee (DFILC) on a periodic basis
5. Faculty can exercise authority to revoke access to individuals who violate the safety policy and DFILC has oversight over the safety policy and Faculty and Staff can appeal to the DFILC if conflicts arise.

In order to provide a safe environment for education, the ILC Safety Subcommittee will be guided by the following objectives, checks, and procedures.

Objectives

To provide clean, organized working spaces and properly displayed safety signage as appropriate.
To offer safety rules and stress the importance of safety within the ME curriculum.
To orient and instruct all students to proper use and location of safety equipment.
To instruct all students in fire drill and emergency evacuation procedures from the maker spaces, classrooms and buildings.
To instruct and have students demonstrate the proper use of specific tools and equipment.
To enforce eye and ear protection as appropriate for each working area.
To assess with a written and performance test, individual knowledge of safety practices and procedures before allowing the student to work in the area of concern.
To instruct all ME faculty and students in proper safety operations of specific machinery and to be able to identify potentially hazardous conditions of such machinery.
To conduct periodic inspections and maintenance of facilities, tools, machines, equipment and personal protective equipment.
To provide emergency procedures to be followed in the event of an accident.
To identify and properly label hazardous work areas.
To instruct in the safe handling and use of chemicals.

General Safety Checklist

Completion of safety instruction precedes the use of all equipment.
All machine tools are properly guarded.
All portable electric tools are correctly grounded.
Oily rags are always placed in an approved safety can.
Flammables are always stored properly.
All electric cords are kept in good condition.
Temporary electrical wiring is never used.
Scraps of material are never on the floor
Each tool has a definite storage space and is returned there after each use.
All material has a definite storage space.
Storage lockers are inspected regularly for accumulated scraps, etc.
Cutting tools are kept sharp for maximum learning and efficiency.
Machine tools are inspected at frequent intervals and any defects are corrected immediately or the machine is taken out of service until such time that proper repairs have been made.
Only one student at a time is ever allowed in the operator’s zone of a machine.
Eye and/or ear protection must be worn at all times in designated work areas.
Students are never permitted to operate machines unless long hair and loose clothing are confined and, neckties and jewelry have been removed.
Safety instruction is incorporated with regular teaching units in addition to specific lessons concerning safety.

Procedures

Faculty, staff and pre-authorized students may instruct students in the general safety rules and procedures of the shop, including
Emergency exit procedure
Emergency power shut-off buttons
Locations of personal safety protective devices
Safety goggles/glasses are to be worn at all times in designated work areas.
All students must successfully complete a written and practical safety test prior to the use lab equipment. Students must demonstrate competence with all shop equipment and hand tools prior to specific use.
Report any injury, no matter how insignificant.
Power tools and equipment must be disconnected when changing the operational set-up.
Follow safe handling and use of chemicals procedures.
No food or drink in the labs, studios, or maker-spaces.
Never inhale an unknown substance.
Know where the fire exits are located.
Know the location of all safety equipment.
Report broken glassware. Do not attempt to clean it up.
Be mindful of your surroundings.
Clean your area prior to leaving.