Fab Lab Safety & Emergency Manual

This manual sets out the emergency procedures and general safety rules that apply everywhere in the Fab Lab. It exists to:

• Protect users, staff, and visitors from injury
• Reduce damage to equipment and facilities
• Provide clear, calm guidance during emergencies
• Standardize responses across all machines and activities

It applies to every machine in the lab (3D printers, laser cutters, CNC tools, electronics benches, and the rest), to every user regardless of experience, and to all operating hours — supervised or unsupervised.

It does not replace the machine-specific safety and operations manuals in the documentation. Where two rules differ, follow the more restrictive one.

Staff note — lab safety lead

The safety area needs a photo and a short description of what it holds (first aid kit, eyewash, fire extinguisher, anything else). Two places depend on it: this intro, and the “use the equipment in the safety area” principle below — that line can’t tell a new user what to reach for until the contents are written down here. Replace this note once the photo and list are added.

General safety principles

These apply at all times, on every machine:

1. Safety over productivity — no print, part, or deadline is worth injury.
2. If unsure, stop — pause work and ask staff.
3. One operator at a time per machine, unless explicitly permitted.
4. Never bypass guards, interlocks, or safety systems.
5. If an injury occurs, use the equipment in the safety area and call emergency services if needed.

Required conduct and attire

Personal conduct

• No horseplay, running, or distractions near equipment
• Stay alert; do not operate equipment when tired, impaired, or distracted

Attire

• Closed-toed shoes are required at all times
• Wear appropriate clothing for each machine’s use
  • Defined in the machine-specific safety manuals
  • Confirm with the machine’s manufacturer’s documents

PPE

Required by task, and specified in each machine’s safety manual:

• Safety glasses
• Heat-resistant gloves
• Cut-resistant gloves
• All other PPE specified in machine-specific safety manuals

Laser safety certification

Machines that use restricted lasers — Class 3R, 3B, or 4 — require TAMU laser safety certification before you operate them. In the Fab Lab that currently means the Laser Cutter (Glowforge Pro). Eye-safe Class 1/2 lasers, like the ones in the 3D scanner, don’t require certification.

The training is an online course run by TAMU Environmental Health & Safety. Here’s how to get certified:

1. Go to the EHSA portal and click “EHSA Online Training Courses”.
2. Fill in your information:
   • Email: your TAMU email address
   • Department: Engineering
   • Start Date: today’s date
   • Worker Type: Faculty, Staff, & Student (Non-Veterinary Hospital)
   • Supervisor: Deere, Paul
3. Complete the LASER training course.
4. Submit your certification through the Fab Lab certification form — use your TAMU email address.

Keep a copy of your certificate on hand — staff may ask to see it before you run a laser job.

Emergency response

In any emergency:

1. Stop the activity and machine immediately, if safe to do so
2. Move to a safe distance from the hazard
3. Alert Fab Lab staff immediately
4. Do not resume work until cleared by staff

If staff are unavailable or the situation is severe, follow institutional emergency procedures.

Fire

Includes smoke, open flame, or fire inside an enclosed machine.

• Stop the machine if safe
• Do NOT open enclosed machines if the fire is internal
• Alert staff immediately
• Activate the building fire alarm if the fire grows or spreads
• Evacuate if instructed

FIRE PROCEDURE

If you see an open flame, use the fire extinguisher.

Electrical

Includes sparks, exposed wiring, an electrical burning smell, or shocks.

• Stop the machine immediately
• Do not touch exposed components
• Disconnect power only if safe
• Notify staff

Do not attempt electrical repairs.

Mechanical

Includes entanglement, crushing, unexpected motion, or tool breakage.

• Use Emergency Stop if available
• Step away from the machine
• Do not attempt to free stuck parts while powered
• Notify staff immediately

Thermal and burns

Includes hot surfaces, molten material, heated tools, or lasers.

• Stop the machine
• Avoid contact with hot components
• Use appropriate PPE if assisting others
• For burns, use the first aid kit as needed

Chemical and air quality

Includes fumes, strong odors, resin spills, solvent exposure, or dust.

• Stop the process
• Increase ventilation if safe
• Avoid breathing fumes
• Notify staff immediately
• Evacuate if instructed

WARNING

If your project is emitting fumes, or there is a safety issue, it will get shut down.

Evacuation

• Stop all active work
• Follow exit signs

First aid

This section covers the first aid actions approved in the Fab Lab. Only provide first aid within your level of training — do not exceed your qualifications.

General rules

• Stop work immediately and secure the area
• Do not place yourself in danger
• Wear gloves if bodily fluids are present
• Do not administer medication
• Do not move injured persons unless necessary to prevent further harm
• Do not leave an injured person unattended
• Notify Fab Lab staff immediately

Minor cuts and abrasions

Examples: small cuts from tools, sharp edges, filament.

1. Stop work and notify staff
2. Wash hands or wear gloves
3. Clean the wound with water or an antiseptic wipe
4. Apply a sterile bandage
5. Seek additional medical care if bleeding persists

Burns

Examples: hot nozzles, heated beds, hot materials.

1. Stop the machine if safe
2. Use the first aid kit as needed
3. Notify staff, and seek medical attention for severe burns

Eye injuries

Examples: debris, dust, splashes.

1. Do not rub the eye
2. Use the eyewash station if needed
3. Notify staff immediately
4. Seek medical assistance

For a foreign object in the eye:

1. Do not attempt to remove it
2. Cover the working eye
3. Place a cup over the punctured eye if possible
4. Notify staff immediately
5. Seek medical assistance

Fume or particle inhalation

Examples: plastic fumes, dust exposure.

1. Stop the process
2. Move the affected person to fresh air
3. Loosen tight clothing
4. Notify staff
5. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist (dizziness, coughing, nausea)

Crush, pinch, or entanglement injuries

Examples: moving machinery, pinch points.

1. Activate Emergency Stop if applicable
2. Do not attempt to reverse machinery
3. Call for staff assistance immediately
4. Apply pressure to control bleeding if trained
5. Call emergency services for serious injuries

Severe or life-threatening injuries

Examples: heavy bleeding, loss of consciousness, suspected fractures.

• Call emergency services per institutional protocol immediately
• Do not leave the injured person unattended
• Provide first aid if able to
• Follow instructions from emergency responders

Prohibited actions (zero tolerance)

• Operating equipment without authorization
• Bypassing safety systems
• Unauthorized repairs or modifications
• Using unapproved materials
• Ignoring staff instructions
• Horseplay or reckless behavior