General Policies

  • Be Respectful of others. This is a learning environment; be encouraging and helpful to other students
  • Keep the shop clean. Metal scraps should be placed in the scrap bin (gray barrel near the lathes). Store raw materials and projects in project storage room 201. Do not leave any materials or tools on the tables or floor
  • Know the safety requirements of your material. For example:
    • Inhaling dust from some exotic wood can cause respiratory issues
    • Magnesium chips burn with great intensity under certain conditions
  • Do not risk injury to yourself or damage to equipment. If you’re unsure of something you’d
    like to do or unfamiliar with a machine or tool, ask Bray staff
  • Do not use or attempt repairs on machines/tools that are dull, broken, or not in proper
    working order; inform Bray staff of the defective equipment
  • Follow the buddy system by always having someone nearby for safety and support
  • Stay focused
  • Know what to do in case of a fire. Be familiar with the location of fire exits
  • Report any injury to the Bray Lab staff. First aid kits are accessible in the Shop and the other lab spaces in the building
  • Always use a clamp to securely hold material to combat applied forces from a tool
  • No food or open drinks
  • No outside tools
  • No outside chemicals (such as epoxies, spray paint, etc.)
  • Raw materials and off-the-shelf components may be brought into the space, but it is your
    responsibility to know safety hazards/requirements of the material and fabrication process
    (for example, laser cutting of certain materials can generate toxic gas or start a fire)
  • Do not take Bray tools or equipment out of the building; to borrow hand tools please ask
    Bray staff for help (and return if approved)
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as protective glasses, aprons, and hearing
    protection are available at the main entrances to the machine shop and wood shop

Required Safety Attire

  • Do not wear loose fitting clothing or accessories that can be caught in rotating equipment
    • Roll up long sleeves (If unable to, consult with Bray staff before operating machinery)
    • Tuck head scarves in tightly
    • No watches or hanging jewelr
  • Long hair should be tied back (Hair ties are available at the main shop entrance
  • Wear long pants up to your ankles (No shorts, skirts, dresses, or kilts)
  • Wear close-toed shoes (No Birkenstocks; Crocs also provide poor protection)
  • Safety glasses must be worn at all times, regardless if you are running a machine or not
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as protective glasses, aprons, and hearing protection are available at the main entrance

Please contact Samanta Carias with any questions or modifications to attire (such as for religious reasons).

Zones

The machine shop is arranged into Green, Yellow, and Red Zones which are labeled based on risk/danger level:

  • Green Zone: A low-risk zone for use of hand tools, portable drills, laser and waterjet cutters and similar equipment
  • Yellow Zone: An elevated-risk zone for use of drill presses, bandsaws, sheet metal tools, and the belt grinder
  • Red Zone: A higher-risk zone which contains heavier equipment, such as milling machines and lathes

Rules Specific to Yellow- and Red-Zone Equipment

  • Users must complete safety training and be approved to operate desired machine or tool
  • Always use a clamp or vise to securely mount workpiece/material to combat applied forces; serious injury can result from work becoming loose and spinning on a drill press or other tool (nicknamed a “merry-go-round”)
  • Ensure the machine is not running when mounting or removing a workpiece/material
  • You are the ONLY one who should operate controls
  • Be aware of machine operation/setup BEFORE starting:
    • Know the direction of rotation and RPM of tool/part being cut
    • Know the location of the machine’s stop/E-stop switch or lever controls
    • NEVER start a cut until there is adequate clearance for ALL moving parts
    • Be sure ALL guards are in place before operating the machine
  • STOP the machine before making measurements OR cleaning chips; NEVER reach over or near a rotating cutter
  • If you experience abnormal vibrations or noise during machine operation, stop the machine and notify Bray staff
  • Be aware of sharp edges and chips:
    • Use a deburring tool on fresh cuts
    • Never use bare hands to remove chips; use a brush, shop vacuum, shop towel, or gloves
    • Do not use compressed air to clean parts