Safety
fabLAB Health and Safety Policy
Arloesi Pontio Innovation (API) will comply with both the spirit and requirements of the University’s Health and Safety Policy and will ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and well-being of all fabLAB users and staff, and others who may be affected by the Department’s activities. This will be achieved through the implementation of a Health and Safety Management System and by risk assessment and risk control.
General and access rules/conditions
Safety is very important to us and we want you to have fun in our fabLAB, so here are the basic house rules:
- A General Safety Induction must be completed before you can use our facilities - this applies to everyone.
- fabLAB use is subject to the presence of a fabLAB supervisor.
- Equipment may only be used once a safety induction for that particular equipment has been completed and you have authorisation to use it.
- We have Workshop Rules, Risk Assessments and Safe Operating Procedures in place. Members must respect and adhere to these systems.
- Workshop times must be adhered to (including lunch etc) and you must allow time for tidying up before the fabLAB closes.
- Eating is not permitted in our workshops, however there are four catering outlets in Pontio which are open to the public.
- Regrettably, and for their own safety, we cannot allow young children into our workshops. Minimum age is 14 yrs. Young persons must be accompanied and supervised by an adult member. Minimum ratio is one adult member per two under 18 yrs members. Young persons and the accompanying adult(s) must complete the general safety induction and the specific training for any equipment they want to use.
General Induction
Before you can use any of the fabLAB facilities and equipment you will need to complete a general safety induction and undertake to comply with all safety requirements and systems. Before we can let you loose on a machine you'll also need to book onto a machine specific induction.
At the end of the safety induction you will be asked to sign an acknowledgement document (below).
Once you have completed the general induction you will be able to book FabFriday sessions to come and work on your own projects. Equipment training and fabLAB sessions are only bookable once our general safety induction has been completed.
Induction documents
Equipment Specific Inductions
You will need training for each of the following pieces of equipment before you are allowed to use them. Each induction lasts for approx 1.5 hrs and you will need to attend the general safety induction before you can book one:
Training on the following equipment will be made available for inexperienced users:
- Soldering & Electronics
- Hand & Power tools
Risk Assessment
Most of our activities are covered by our General Risk Assessment.
Additionally, and where applicable, you can find equipment specific Risk Assessments in the relevant equipment pages.
Larger practical projects and events will also require specific Risk Assessments, these will be undertaken by the project lead and will be made available to all parties.
Safe Operating Procedures
We have Safe Operating Procedures (SOPs) in place for much of our equipment. These can be found in the relevant equipment pages. You must follow these procedures at all times.
Manufacturers Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
