Makerspace and Shop Safety
Machine shops are present in many departments and academic laboratories for use by faculty, staff, students, alumni and visitors. Working in academic shops or laboratories with hazards normally associated with shops carries risk of exposure and injury due to hazardous materials, tools, and heavy equipment. Shop equipment and tools, if not handled properly, may result in a serious injury or even death. Additionally, there are F&S Safety and Compliance Office of Safety and Health (F&S OSH) Industrial Safety Programs that may apply to your laboratory or shop that you must be in compliance with.
The Office of Safety, in conjunction with F&S OSH, is available to conduct risk assessments and provide your group assistance to ensure your shop or laboratory is safe and compliant.
Safety Programs
Use the tiles below to read more about these selected programs. To learn about these and other safety programs and how they may apply to your work area you can visit F&S Safety and Compliance.
Crane and Hoist Safety Program
This Program applies to all students, faculty and staff who are required to work with or around cranes and hoists as part of their employment.
Program Audit Checklist - If your unit requires a Crane and Hoist Safety Program and would like assistance in ensuring they meet all the requirements on this checklist, F&S Safety and Compliance and other qualified personnel will assist supervisors and individuals in fulfilling these obligations upon request. Please contact us or F&S Safety and Compliance directly to schedule this consult.
Training
Intro to cranes and hoists: - Grey Safety (1h 50min video)
Elevated Work Program
Any work done on a surface 4 feet or greater above an adjacent lower level needs to be evaluated to ensure that any fall hazards are addressed. The Grainger Office of Safety in conjunction with F&S Safety and Compliance can assist you with this assessment (Fall Hazard Evaluation).
Fall Protection Safety Resources
Harness Inspection - Werner (2 min video)
Harness Fit (walk it down) - Werner (2 min video)
Ladder Safety Resources
Portable Ladder Checklist - F&S Safety and Compliance
Ladder Safety App - NIOSH app designed to improve extension and step (A-frame) ladder safety.
Machine Guarding Program
Each Campus Unit shall conduct machine guarding assessments utilizing these Guidelines, manufacturer instructions, national consensus standards, applicable federal or state regulations, or other appropriate guidance or recommendations. Safeguards must protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards, such as those created by point of operation, in-running nip points, rotating parts, flying chips, and sparks.
Guarding Checklists - F&S Safety and Compliance
Additional Safety Considerations (i.e. Training , miscellaneous aids, machine maintenance) - OSHA
Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklifts)
Powered Industrial Trucks Program
Operator training, evaluation and certification shall be conducted by designated personnel who have the knowledge, training and experience to train prospective forklift operators and evaluate their proficiency. Initial training is the responsibility of the campus unit. Contact F&S Safety and Compliance for assistance in identifying options for training providers.
Daily Inspection Checklist - F&S Safety and Compliance
Forklift e-Tool - OSHA
Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Program
The LOTO Program provides detailed information on how energy sources must be locked and tagged out before employees perform any servicing or maintenance activities where the unexpected energizing, start-up, or release of stored energy could cause injury.
Program Audit Checklist - F&S Safety and Compliance
Example Energy Control Devices - F&S Safety and Compliance
Lockout/Tagout Factsheet - OSHA
Hearing Conservation Program
The selection of appropriate hearing protection shall be made only after a determination of the potential exposure of University personnel to high levels of noise. A noise assessment of the workplace shall be conducted; including area surveys and/or noise dosimetry. F&S Safety and Compliance can conduct the noise assessment or assist the unit in identifying other providers.
Campus personnel that suspect occupational noise exposure can report it by submitting a Noise Assessment Request.
Makerspace Safety
Makerspaces encourage creativity and self-learning through rapid prototyping using 3D printers and other additive manufacturing tools, laser cutters, soldering, and has benefits for research and instruction. Some of the hazards that may be involved are ultrafine particles and volatile organic compounds from 3D printing, chemical hazards in solders, resins and post-processing baths, and thermal hazards from soldering irons and laser cutters.
Department facility managers are encouraged to consult the Division of Research Safety whenever there is a plan to create a makerspace or purchase makerspace equipment. A matrix of equipment and facility considerations can be downloaded here. Due to the hazards involved, makerspace facilities may require the following features:
- A handwashing sink is needed wherever hazardous materials are used (e.g. lead-containing solder), both for routine hand-washing as well as dealing with a case of chemical contact with skin.
- Soldering will require either air filtration or local exhaust ventilation to prevent exposure to fumes.
- Laser cutters will require either air filtration or local exhaust ventilation to handle smoke and fumes, and will also require an enclosure with safety interlock. Laser registration with DRS and use authorization may also be necessary.
- An emergency eyewash unit in the space will be required if there are materials that are corrosive or injurious to the eye, including corrosive resins used by some 3D printers, and corrosive fluxes that are sometimes involved in soldering. Handling significant quantities of materials corrosive to the skin would also require an emergency shower.
- The majority of 3D printers emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ultrafine particles (UFPs) during operation. In spaces with poor ventilation, these emissions can quickly accumulate to unsafe levels. Thus, 3D printers may need to be located in well-ventilated rooms equipped with mechanical ventilation systems that exhaust to the outside, are provided with outside air, and do not recirculate air to other spaces. Also the room would be negatively pressurized relative to adjacent spaces, preventing distribution of air contaminants outside the space. This type of ventilation system is typical of labs or shops, and are different from those in classroom or office spaces. Consider including an enclosure with the purchase of a 3D printer. A well-sealed enclosure with a filtration system can effectively reduce exposure.
- In some cases, 3D printing involves further post-processing involving hazardous chemicals. Examples would be a) Dipping the work in tubs of caustic solution, which may need an eyewash and shower, or b) Exposing the work to flammable solvent vapors, which may need to be done inside a fume hood.
- 3D printers using metal powders may also require special facility considerations arising from the combustible dust hazard.
Requirements can be waived or additional requirements may be imposed on a case-by-case basis, as established by a risk assessment of the specific equipment and materials.
References
UL Research Institutes - 3D Printing - 3D Printer Emissions and Health Risks resources published by Chemical Insights Research Institute (CIRI) of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL)
UL 200B - Safe Use of 3D Printing for Institutions of Higher Education (PDF) - CIRI of UL Research Institutes and Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA) Collaboration
3D Printer Safety: A Guide for Institutions of Higher Education to Support Indoor Air Quality & Human Health (PDF) - CIRI of UL Research Institutes