Policies and Procedures
To become an authorized user, review the information below and complete the Basic User Training / Quizzes.
Operating Principles
The labs are operated for the benefit of the WPI Community.
The safe operation of the facilities is the responsibility of all Users.
If at any time you see any activity or conditions that you perceive to be unsafe in the facility you must stop that activity at once, and or report the conditions to the active lab monitor.
If possible take immediate action to mitigate any unsafe conditions.
The primary role of the Lab Staff is to help Lab Users become proficient at making parts that the Users have designed.
If you do not know how to do something, ask for help.
What to do if something goes wrong
In any emerging situation -- Take any and all PRUDENT action(s) to mitigate and alleviate the danger(s.)
As soon as possible:
Dial 508 831 5555 and get assistance if required or directed.
Notify the active Lab Monitor, and the Operations Manager for Manufacturing Laboratories.
If someone becomes entangled in a machine, hit the machine’s Emergency Stop. If that is not possible, hit the closest room Emergency Stop button.
If safe to do, use the trauma shears to cut free the operator.
Visitors
Visitors must Check in with the Lab monitor before entry to the facilities.
Visitors may work on computers in the Computer Classroom Spaces when the Facilities are open and a lab monitor is present.
Visitors may pass through the facility on guided and self guided tours. (If you ask the lab monitor or just about anyone working in the labs they would be happy to show you around!)
Visitors may uses hand tools and operate equipment in the labs with the specific permission of an Authorizing Lab Monitor.
Each instance of use Must be approved in advance.
This privileged is not intended as a substitute for completing the Basic User Training Module.
Basic Users
Basic Users must Check in with the Lab monitor before entry to the facilities.
Basic Users may work in the facility during open hours if a Lab Monitor is present.
Basic Users may use hand tools within appropriate work spaces in the facilities.
Basic Users may operate any machine tools in the facilities that that they have been checked out on .
To become a Basic User, follow the steps below:
Review the General Policies and Procedures for the lab
Complete the Basic User Training and pass all associated quizzes with a score of 100%
Returning Basic and Advanced Users:
Complete the steps to become a "Basic User" listed above
Lab Monitors
Lab Monitors may open the facility and supervise advanced users working in the facility.
To become a Lab Monitor, follow the steps below:
Complete the steps to become a Basic User.
Log at least 10 instances of use within a 7 week period.
Complete a 10 hr OSHA General Industry Class.
Complete Lock Out Tag Out Training.
Complete an interview with an Authorizing Lab Monitor.
Returning Lab Monitors:
Follow the steps to become a Basic User for the academic year
Complete an interview with an Authorizing Lab Monitor
Authorizing Lab Monitor
Authorizing Lab Monitors are appointed by the Operations Manager for Manufacturing Laboratories.
Hours of Operation
The Labs are available for authorized users 24 hrs per day 365 days a year.
Normal business hours vary durring the year and are posted at http://mfelabs.org.
The maximum time a user can work in the facility(s) may not exceed 12 hours in any 24 hr period.
A 10 hour break for each user is required between work periods longer than 8 hours.
Who can work/be in the labs
Visitors -- (May work on computers and as specifically authorized.)
Basic Users -- (Must be a lab monitor present.)
Lab Monitors -- (Must be at least two authorized users in the lab.)
Special Task Users -- (Must be at least two authorized users in the lab.)
Authorizing Lab Monitors -- (Must be at least two authorized users in the lab. )
What should you wear in the labs?
Lab users and visitors must always wear clothing appropriate to the situation.
See workspace and equipment specific policies for clothing requirements.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Safety Glasses are required in all lab spaces except in designated areas.
All users must use appropriate PPE in all situations.
See workspace and equipment specific policies for PPE requirements.
Hand Tools
Hand tools include hammers, saws, wrenches chisels, punches, cordless drills, and other tools commonly found in a machine shop which typically do not require power to operate.
Lab users who have completed the Basic User Training, and passed all of the associated quizzes with a 100% score may use the hand tools available in the facility.
Visitors may be allowed to use specific tools in specific situations when the use has been approved by the current Lab Monitor. Each instance of use requires approval.
Safe Operating Procedures
Machine Tools
The machine tools available in the facilities can be broken into two categories: Interlocked and Non-interlocked.
Interlocked machine tools have safety interlocks, like the door switch on a CNC machine tool that stops the spindle if the door is opened. Lab users who have completed the Basic User Training, and passed all of the associated quizzes with a 100% score may use the interlocked machine tools available in the facility as long as they have been "checked out" on that machine tool by an Authorizing Lab Monitor. Procedures for getting checked out and authorized vary by machine and can be found on the Facilities/Reservations page for that machine tool.
Non-interlocked machine tools do not have such interlocks and are more dangerous to operate because of this. Lab users who have completed the Basic User Training, and passed all of the associated quizzes with a 100% score may use the non-interlocked machine tools available in the facility as long as they have been "checked out" on that machine tool by an Authorizing Lab Monitor and they have a Second Person (See below.) Procedures for getting checked out and authorized vary by machine and can be found on the Facilities/Reservations page for that machine tool.
Visitors may be allowed to use specific tools in specific situations when the use has been approved by the current Lab Monitor. Each instance of use requires approval.
Non-Interlocked Machine Tools
Manual Lathe
Manual Knee Mill
Surface Grinder
Vertical Band Saw
Horizontal Band Saw
Belt Sander
Buffing / Deburring Wheel
Chop Saw
Drill Press
Pedestal Grinder
Pneumatic Tools
Sand Blaster
Shear
Welders
CNC Plasma Table
Interlocked Machine Tools
Haas Vertical Mills
Haas Lathes
Universal Laser Laser Cutters
Wire EDM
Sinker EDM
Second Person
There must always be at least 2 people in the facility when work is being done and at least one of them must be a Lab Monitor. In some circumstances this does not insure a fast enough response in the case of an incident. The use of non-interlocked equipment , and performing Hot Work (welding, cutting, grinding) are examples of when our Second Person Protocol must be adhered to.
The Second Person Protocol:
The 2nd person must know that they are the 2nd person.
The 2nd person must agree to be the 2nd person.
The 2nd person must maintain visual contact with the operator during the operation.
What users MAY DO in the labs
Users may work in then labs when the user is authorized and the labs are opened by a Lab Monitor.
Users may use hand tools and equipment they are authorized to use.
Machine tool use must be scheduled.
The Following machine tools require advanced approval from and Authorizing Lab Monitor before use
The ST30SSY
The Manual Lathe
The Manual Mill
What users MAY NOT DO in the labs
Users May never approach or attempt to operate any equipment in the labs if their judgment, reactions, balance, equilibrium, or ability to reason are impaired by anything, including but not limited to: medical condition, fatigue, drowsiness, medication, alcohol, and/or drugs.
Under no circumstances are Lab Users to attempt to modify or repair any equipment unless they have been specifically directed to by an Authorizing Lab Monitor.
Lab users may not do anything that is deemed unsafe by themselves or any other lab users.
If two users disagree about the safety of an operation or action, an Authorizing Lab Monitor must make a judgement before the operation or action may continue.
This judgement must be documented.
General Policies
The facilities are available for use by authorized users (Become an authorized Lab User.)
All users must adhere to all posted and stated placards and notices (both verbal and written.)
The facilities may only be occupied or used when they have been opened by a Lab Monitor.
There must always be at least two authorized users present if work is being done in the labs.
Before entering the facilities, users must always check in.