Newport Makerspace / Creudy Casnewydd Health and Safety Policy

It is the policy of Medrau Maindee Makers (MMM) (encompassing Newport Makerspace / Creudy Casnewydd (NMCC)) to provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising from our activities.

• We aim to provide, maintain and oversee safe and healthy working conditions, equipment, and systems of work for all subscribers and visitors.
• We aim to provide such information and supervision as is needed for this purpose.
• We aim to implement suitable emergency procedures in case of fire or other significant incident.
• We aim to ensure safe handling and use of hazardous substances, in line with COSHH regulations.
• We aim to hold Public Liability, Employers Liability and Contents Insurance.

1. Overall and final responsibility for health and safety at NMCC lies with the Trustees of MMM. This responsibility may be delegated to a named member as deemed appropriate.
2. This said, all users have a duty to:
   • cooperate with the Trustees on health and safety matters.
   • not interfere with anything provided to safeguard their health and safety.
   • take reasonable care of their own and others’ health and safety.
   • use equipment correctly in accordance with instructions and inductions.
   • report all health and safety concerns to a member of the committee.
   • prevent or remove any hazards and not knowingly leave them in place.

General risk assessments of our space and equipment will be carried out annually by the Committee. The Committee will carry out risk assessments within two months of major changes that are made to our permanent venue or equipment. Responsibility for observing the decisions made in the risk assessment lies with all users of NMCC.

The Committee will check at monthly intervals that actions have been taken and risks have been removed or reduced.

Risk assessments for one-off events or activities will be carried out by the person who is planning that activity. That person is responsible for liaising with those in charge of the actual event (this may be the same person), and the Committee, to ensure hazards are dealt with as outlined in the risk assessment.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) relevant to activities carried out at NMCC will be located near the entrance to the workshop. All userss are responsible for checking PPE stock levels and informing the Committee of any shortages. Additionally, the Committee will check the stock levels at least every two months.

First aid boxes and eyewash stations will be permanently located by the entrance of each room.

All users are responsible for checking the stock levels whenever they are used and informing the Committee of any shortages. Additionally, the Committee will check the stock levels at least every two months.

All accidents and incidents that result in an injury or could potentially have resulted in injury, even if they did not, are to be recorded in the Incident Book or reported to the Committee by email

We will comply with Wastesavers' fire safety plans which are in place at the Reuse Centre. Fire extinguishers and fire blankets will be permanently located in each room. Fire extinguishers will be inspected annually and serviced as appropriate. Escape routes will be defined and kept clear.

We will take steps to avoid unnecessary risk and very high levels of risk. However, activities typical to a Makerspace inherently involve some risk. Learning about and employing risk management is a necessary part of “making”. We therefore aim to protect our users from unnecessary and very high risk levels and provide guidance and support to help users manage risk for themselves.