Safety in School Makerspaces

As part of our Back-to-School series, we are sharing chapters and excerpts from the Makerspace Playbook: School Edition. Today, Chapter 4, Safety.

No matter how you equip your school Makerspace, it’s likely that if you are doing anything interesting with your students or members there are some risks involved. Be sure to emphasize safety to the users of your Makerspace. Learning how to use a tool isn’t all that helpful unless you also learn all the risks and precautions you have to take in order to come out of your project build with all your eyes, ears, fingers, and limbs intact.

It’s a fine line, though, between informing kids about the potential dangers and scaring them from ever using any interesting tools! While accidents happen when the proper steps aren’t taken, many millions, perhaps billions, of people make with dangerous equipment every day without incident. Our goal is to make safety second nature for kids, so that they feel at ease when they use the tools because they know they have protected themselves and prepared as much as they could before lifting the tool or clicking its power switch.

It doesn’t take much to cause permanent disability. The more powerful and more complex the tool, the more damage it can cause, and the faster it can cause it. While we all hope the worst doesn’t happen, you and your students must be aware of the danger and prepare.

Consider creating a “Maker mantra” that covers potential risks in your shop, that your Makerspace can chant as you get started with each build session. Perhaps something like:

Protect. Double-check. Aim away. Clamp it. Focus. Never play.

Planning for Safety

Stimulating a culture of safety can dramatically cut down on shop mishaps as members are encouraged members to watch out for the safety of each other and respect the equipment. You can accomplish this by modeling safe behavior in your own actions and in how you set up the space, setting up a strict training regimen, and posting signs and checklists.

Makerspace users of all ages need to be trained in safely operating tools before using them. And they also need reminders. In Hillel Posner’s woodshop in Pittsburg, California, he has a multi-step process for being certified on a machine before the student is able to use it independently. Then he also posts a sign on each machine to explain its ideal application and some key safety guidelines.

Cleaning up is not just a measure of respect for the workspace, it also removes hazards. Plan to easily and regularly remove trash and debris. Enforce a strict cleanup policy throughout the workspace. Keep work areas tidy as well by minimizing the number of wires running around. Extension cords quickly become tripping hazards, and power strips also cause trouble on the ground or as they tumble erratically on a desktop. We suggest you provide access to grounded outlets all along the perimeter of the room and/or dropped from the ceiling for each workbench.

Tools need to have enough space to be operated safely and not endanger the operator or other people in the space. People need to concentrate when trying new tools, especially ones that can injure. Make sure there is enough real estate to use a tool safely. Work areas need to be well lit and clean. Ventilation and/or air filtering is required for many tools.

The equipment itself needs to be as safe as possible. Tools should be well maintained and not have safety features removed or defeated. This is especially important when using second-hand tools that might not have a perfectly safe heritage. When acquiring new tools consider spending the extra money on models with advanced safety features, such as a SawStop table saw.

Make well-stocked first-aid kits visible and easily accessible throughout your space. Post clear and visible warning signs on all equipment and where necessary.

Provide personal safety equipment such as goggles, earplugs, gloves, etc. to those who don’t have their own.

Accidents may happen. They probably will, and let’s hope they are all minor. Nonetheless, do make sure that there is a legal entity that owns the space so that the effects of a serious injury don’t extend the horror with legal ramifications. If you house the Makerspace at a school, the district’s coverage would likely suffice. If there’s no legal entity, we suggest you form an LLC or a corporation to shield individual members from any liability.

Common Rules

It seems like every teacher writes their own rules, often adapting someone else’s rules to the idiosyncrasies of his or her own space, and adding more as they go along (and students reveal new rules that need to be written!) Rules work best when they are in your own voice, as you’ll be repeating them often. Common safety rules we’ve seen posted in shops and other making classrooms are listed below (formatted as a one-page document Common Safety Rules, right.)

The emergency phone number is 9-1-1
(or describe your emergency procedure here.)

Report all injuries.

• Do not attempt to remove foreign objects from the eye or body.
• If chemicals get in the eye(s), wash eye(s) for 15 minutes in an open flow of water before proceeding for medical treatment.

Use protective gear. Dress right.

• Wear eye protection: safety glasses with side shields, goggles, or face shields at all times, whether working or not!!
• Do not wear loose-fitting clothing around moving or rotating machinery.
• Remove ties, jewelry, gloves, etc. especially around moving or rotating machinery.
• Tie back or cover long hair to keep it away from moving machinery.
• Wear only shoes that cover the entire foot, no open-toe shoes or sandals.
• Wear suitable gloves when handling hot objects, glass, or sharp-edged items.
• Wear appropriate clothing for the job (i.e., do not wear short sleeve shirts or short pants when welding).

Prepare.

• Safety is your top priority when using the shop. If you are not sure what you are doing, ask.
• Know all the locations of all first aid, fire, and safety equipment.
• Never use a tool unless you’ve been trained to use it safely.
• Never work alone when using power tools. Two persons must be present and be able to see one another.
• Sign in before using any equipment.
• Do not work in the shop if tired, or in a hurry.
• Do not fool around, startle, or distract anyone (not even with a conversation) while either one of you is using a tool.
• Think through the entire job before starting. Prepare prints or drawings with all dimensions and specifications prior to using machines.

Use tools right.

• Use tools only as they were designed to be used. (A wrench is not a hammer.)
• Never use a broken tool.
• Report any broken tools or machines immediately.
• Do not remove tools from the room.
• Never walk away from a tool that is still on.
• A hard hammer should not be used to strike a hardened tool or any machine part. Use a soft-faced hammer.
• Operate machines only with all required guards and shields in place.

Clean up.

• Clean up every time whenever you leave an area, including sweeping the floor.
• Clean and return all tools to where you got them.
• Use compressed air sparingly; never aim it at another person or use it to clean hair or clothes.
• Shut off and unplug machines when cleaning, repairing, or oiling.
• Never use a rag near moving machinery.
• Use a brush, hook, or a special tool to remove chips, shavings, etc. from the work area. Never use the hands.
• Keep fingers clear of the point of operation of machines by using special tools or devices, such as, push sticks, hooks, pliers, etc.
• Keep the floor around machines clean, dry, and free from trip hazards. Do not allow chips to accumulate.
• Mop up spills immediately and put a chair or cone over them if they are wet enough to cause someone to slip.

William Gurstelle wrote a piece called “The Safe Workshop: Rules to make by” for our 2011 Ultimate Workshop and Tool Guide, and we’re including this text below.

Your workshop should be a welcoming and friendly place. The key lies in creating a safe and secure environment. Before embarking on a new project, it’s a good idea to take a close look at the working conditions in your shop. If your project area gives you a vaguely nervous feeling, now’s the time to bring things up to date. Don’t delay: inspect, review, and evaluate your space and make whatever changes seem necessary to keep you out of trouble.

Don’t know where to start? Here are some ideas from the members of MAKE’s Technical Advisory Board to get you started. Have at it!

• Obtain a pair of well-fitting, cool polycarb goggles, leather work gloves, and a protective lab coat. Make them attractive and stylish so that wearing safety equipment is fun.
• Pull back long hair.
• Secure your work when using hand or power tools. Always use clamps, not your hands, to hold a work piece on a drill press table. If the tool binds, the work will spin dangerously.
• Aim away from yourself. When cutting with a utility knife, position yourself so that when you slip, the blade doesn’t land in your flesh.
• Avoid using a table saw when you can. Statistically, it’s easily the most dangerous piece of equipment in the shop.
• Don’t touch a bare wire, or cut any wire, until you’re sure where the other end goes. When in doubt, measure the potential. This will save you from a possible heart-stopping electrical shock.
• Always keep a first aid kit in your workshop, and always know where it is. First aid kits can be purchased ready- made, or you can put one together yourself. Essential items include bandages, pads, gauze, scissors, tweezers, and tape.
• If you work with heavy things — say, timbers or angle iron — or are prone to dropping tools, steel-toed safety shoes are a great investment in long-term foot appearance.
• Install a smoke detector in your shop and place a fire extinguisher in an easy-to-reach spot. Make sure the extinguisher is rated for all types of fires.
• Wear a particle mask when appropriate to avoid breathing dust and other particulate pollutants common in workshops. Sawdust from treated wood and some plastics have known health risks.
• The high-decibel noise generated by power tools such as table saws and circular saws can damage your hearing. Protect your ears by using full-sized, earmuff-style protectors.
• Wait 12 hours between sketching the plans and starting the construction process. The times people get hurt are usually when they’re excited and in a hurry. Slow down, and work deliberately.