Shop Safety

Fabrication area safety protocols

When working in a fabrication area — or using fabrication tools anywhere — safety must come first. Fabrication tools often have sharp, moving, or heavy parts that pose real hazards. These rules exist to prevent injury to the operator and everyone nearby. Before you are allowed to work in the shop, you must pass a safety test with a score of 100% — because it is not acceptable to not know or understand any of these rules.

Shop Safety Video

Trouble playing? Watch it here.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Eye Protection

Put on safety glasses before you enter the fabrication area.
Keep your eye protection on the whole time you or anyone else is using or preparing to use tools.
Never remove your glasses until you have left the shop area.

Footwear

Wear shoes with good traction to prevent slips.
Cover both your toes and heels — no sandals, flip-flops, or open-toed shoes.

Apparel & Hair

What to Wear

Avoid baggy or loose clothing that could get caught in a tool or machine.
Remove loose necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry before working.
Keep clothing fitted and tucked so nothing can snag on moving parts.

Hair

No long, loose hair in the shop.
Always tie long hair back with a hair tie before entering the fabrication area.
Confine hair before using any tool or machine.

General Safety Rules

Do not work in the shop if…

You are feeling ill, distressed, or too tired to work safely.
You are taking medication that makes it unsafe to use tools.
You are not wearing proper shoes and clothing that protect you from injury.

Before working in the shop you must…

Read all of the general safety rules.
Ask questions about anything you do not understand.
Pass the general safety test with a 100%.
Agree to follow all of the general safety rules.

Before entering the shop you must…

Get permission from the instructor.
Put on your safety glasses.
Tie back long hair and remove loose clothing or jewelry that could get caught.
Have a plan for the work you want to accomplish.

Before using any tool you must…

Make sure an instructor is supervising your work.
Lay out your work — mark where you will cut, drill, or shape the material.
Choose the right tool for the job.
Make sure everyone is clear and you have enough space to work safely.

Before using power tools you must…

Read the safety rules for that specific tool.
Ask questions about anything you do not understand.
Agree to follow all of the safety rules for that tool.
Get permission to use that specific power tool.

While using any tool…

Keep your mind on your task and avoid distractions.
Do not talk to anyone while operating a tool.
Remember: the safe way is the best way.
If in doubt, stop and ask a question.

After using tools…

Make sure your name is on your material.
Put away all tools.
Clean up all scraps and dust.

Report to the instructor…

Any unsafe situations you notice.
Any tools that are damaged or in need of maintenance.
Any injury — no matter how small — received while working.

Working Safely Together

Always treat tools with respect

Carry tools with sharp parts pointed down and away from people.
Use tools only for the jobs they are designed to do.
Never set tools on the edge of a table where they could fall or hurt someone.
Put away tools and clean up scraps after using them.
Never use tools as toys or weapons.

No horseplay

No playing rough, running, jumping, or dancing around.
No jokes, pranks, or fooling around.
No unnecessary noise.

Practice Gracious Professionalism

Always do your best work.
Share tools, space, and materials to avoid waste.
Ask for and accept help whenever it is needed.
Assist others whenever you can.

The number one priority

Everyone walks out of the fabrication area uninjured. To achieve this goal, students and adults will comply with all of our safety rules.

Want to go deeper? Review the full shop safety principles.

More Shop Safety Info