Safety

General Information

This page covers safety throughout Berea Makerspace. Read the relevant room and tool pages for equipment-specific hazards, protective equipment, materials, and operating procedures. Follow posted instructions and the general health and safety policies.

Training and Orientation

Safety training is part of tool orientations. Complete the required orientation before using equipment. Upcoming orientations appear on the event calendar.

If you cannot find the orientation you need, ask in Slack in #general or the relevant shop channel. Reading a wiki page or watching a video does not replace required training.

Reporting Safety Concerns

Slack is the preferred place to report safety concerns. Post in #general or the relevant shop channel, such as #shop-wood, #shop-metal, or #shop-cnc. You can also email info@bereamakerspace.org.

• Report damaged equipment, unsafe conditions, injuries, and near misses, even if no one was hurt.
• Include the tool or location, what happened, and whether the hazard is still present. Add a photo if you can take one safely.
• If equipment appears unsafe, stop using it. Warn anyone nearby and leave a clear note on the equipment so someone else does not use it unknowingly. Report it on Slack or by email as well.
• If you are uncomfortable or uncertain, stop and ask for help.

Do not wait for a Slack or email reply in an emergency.

General Safety Practices

• Do not bypass guards, safety devices, or safety procedures.
• Do not operate equipment while impaired, overly tired, rushed, or otherwise unable to work safely.
• Inspect equipment before use. Do not use damaged equipment or equipment marked out of service.
• Use the protective equipment and dust collection or ventilation required by the room, tool, and material.
• Keep walkways, exits, and access to emergency equipment clear. Clean up your work area and address spills promptly when it is safe to do so.
• Be aware of people around you. Avoid distracting someone who is operating equipment.
• Follow the rules for working alone and any additional requirements on the tool's page.
• Follow the guest and child supervision, waiver, and equipment-use rules. Supervision alone does not grant permission to use equipment.

Emergencies

Address: 116 Spring Circle Drive, Suite 3, Berea, KY 40403.

First aid supplies are located in the Wood Shop and the bathroom.

• Before starting work, locate the exits, fire extinguishers, and first aid supplies. Ask during orientation if you do not know where they are.
• For a fire, serious injury, or other immediate emergency, call 911. Give the makerspace's address and describe the emergency.
• If there is a fire or the space is unsafe, alert others and leave the building. Do not put yourself at risk to retrieve tools or belongings.
• Notify makerspace leadership once you are safe and emergency help has been requested.