Risk Assessment

This risk assessment covers general access to and use of the makerspace facilities, including in the case of events.

1. Risk of electrical Shock
2. Risk of fire
3. Risk of harm or contamination with hazardous substances
4. Noise and vibration
5. Storage of materials that are loose or may fall
6. Storage at height
7. Trip hazards such as power cables
8. Lone working
9. Theft

• Members or visitors are required to use any tools or machines according to the manufacturer instructions or following makerspace instruction when these do not exist.
• All items that are not within a year old (e.g. donated power tools) must be PAT tested before use.
• Tools and machines are not to be tampered with, and only qualified and insured electrical engineers are to attempt repairs on electrical equipment.

• Create document with PAT history for all makerspace equipment

• Only necessary flammable chemicals are kept on site and must be locked in either of the steel COSHH cabinets provided in the space when not in immediate use.
• Flammable materials such as woods are to be stored in designated locations.
• Tools or machines that produce a spark or a flame (e.g. the laser cutter) must have a risk assessment conducted and any control measures in place before use. Members must be inducted by a person approved by trustees in the correct and safe use of such tools prior to using them.
• No tools, machines or processes that produce sparks or an open flame are to be carried out in F11A at any time.
• All members and visitors to the building must be made aware of the fire escape routes. Fire escape routes must always be kept clear.
• Serviceable fire extinguishers are maintained in each room covering escape routes.

• Fire extinguishers should be moved to cover escape routes.

• Only necessary hazardous substances are kept on site and must be locked in either of the steel COSHH cabinets provided in the space when not in immediate use.

• No further action

• Any activity that produces noise or vibration that is noticeable outside of the makerspace area (e.g. meeting rooms or the shop level at the Reuse Centre or the street outside) should only take place at times agreed with the directors and Reuse Centre / Wastesavers staff.
• Guidance on activities that produce noise is provided in the Makerspace Safe Working Guide as part of the membership rules
• Members and visitors within the makerspace should be made aware before loud activities are carried out.
• Operators of activities and anyone in the room that the activity is taking place must wear hearing protection if the level of volume requires it – tools and machines that require use of hearing protection are designated with a sticker. Hearing protection is provided.

• Storage of hearing protection is clearly labelled and accessible

• Materials should always be safely and securely stored in designated storage areas.
• In the rare cases that this is not possible, members and visitors entering the space must be made aware of any materials that are waiting to be securely stored and activities must not be carried out in the immediate area.

• No actions.

• Items must not be stored at height, except when the item is stored on a shelf that is designed to take it.
• Heavy or large items must never be stored on high shelves and people must not be made to reach for items.

• No actions.

• No cables, materials, personal belongings or other items should be run across any walkway in the makerspace that could cause a tripping hazard or reduce safe access in any other way.
• If it is necessary to run a power cable in such a way (e.g. providing power to a central workbench) then an area should be cordoned off to do so without blocking any fire escape route.

• No actions.

• In the case that lone working is necessary, the Lone Working Guide must be followed. Members must read and follow the guidelines and visitors must never be in the makerspace on their own. The Lone Working Guide specifies a number of activities that are restricted under lone working conditions.

• No actions.

• Access to the makerspace is controlled by key holders and a series of locked doors with keypads for access.
• Access codes are granted to paying members of Newport Makerspace.
• Visitors are never left alone in the space without members or trustees present.

• No actions.