Shop Safety Policy

Includes Stewardship, Materials and Processes Policies

Note: Shop Supervisors and Monitors may prohibit shop access or machinery use for any reason.

The Build Lab has adopted UT Austin's Environmental Health and Safety Department's Shop Safety Rules. Signs are located throughout the Build Lab and include the following points:

Never work alone
Never use machinery without the approval of the supervisor and completion of training.
Never use damaged or malfunctioning equipment
Never talk to or touch the machine operator.
Never allow student use of power machinery without the shop supervisor or a monitor present
Never wear loose clothing in the shop - including ties, scarves, jewelry, and loose sleeves.
No open-toed shoes allowed.
Never use a cell phone or personal music player, etc.
Never work if you are tired. Take frequent breaks to stay alert.
Never use compressed air greater than 30 psi for cleaning equipment.
Never use compressed air to clean skin or clothing.

Always complete general and shop-specific training before using facility
Always understand our operation before you begin or ask the shop supervisor for help.
ALWAYS WEAR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE), including glasses or face protection
Always remove jewelry before working - including rings, necklaces, bracelets and watches
Always secure long hair including beards.
Always use all guards and shields. They must be secured prior to operating equipment.
Always check material for staples, screws, nails, embedded objects, etc.
Always clear dust and debris before and after machine use
Always keep aisles, exits and access to emergency equipment clear
ALWAYS IMMEDIATELY REPORT ALL ACCIDENTS, PROBLEMS OR CONCERNS TO THE SHOP SUPERVISOR OR MONITOR

Always:

Ask if you don't know.

Follow the policies for safe operation of all equipment as set forth in the OH500 and hands-on instruction provided by Build Lab staff.
Follow the tool checkout policy if you need to borrow them from the Build Lab.
Clean up after yourself.
Bring your own consumable material (screws, nails, paints, sandpaper, etc.). The Build Lab does not provide it. Scrap wood that is in the box at the foot of the stairs is free to anyone who needs, taking material from anywhere else is stealing and will get you barred from the Build Lab.

As needed:

Wear hearing protection and face shields. Ask if you don't recall from the training sessions which was needed for your task.

Never:

Loan your UT ID card to someone else, or use your card to let someone else in.
Wear open-toed shoes in the shop. You'll be asked once to leave and forfeit Build Lab access the second time.
Wear ear buds, use cell phones or play music while in the Build Lab.
Use equipment that you've not been trained by the Shop Manager to operate safely.

Also:

Aisles must be kept clear - 44" at the main aisle and around machinery. 36" is needed around desks.

Shop Safety Policy

SHOP SUPERVISORS AND MONITORS MAY PROHIBIT SHOP ACCESS OR MACHINERY USE FOR ANY REASON