FabLab New Member Safety Orientation

Please check boxes as you are receiving the orientation, to ensure you received all the information required!

New Member Safety Orientation

Revised September 5, 2024

2.2.1(1) - (3) New Worker Orientation of Part 2 General Duties, General Safety Duties of the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulation.

North Forge Fabrication Lab places a high value on the personal health and safety of its members. We are committed to fostering and sustaining a culture in which accountability for safety - yours and your co-members - is accepted and shared by everyone as a condition of membership at the Fabrication Lab. Our goal is that all members share North Forge’s commitment to eliminating or controlling hazards which can result in injury and take every reasonable precaution to work safely and ensure a safe environment.

We believe that every member should expect to leave the fabrication lab and return home as healthy and safe as when they arrived.

Know your rights as a member of the North Forge Fabrication Lab: Members are similar in most cases to the worker as set out by the Workplace Safety and Health Act:

Member rights -

The right to know Members have the right to know how to do their jobs safely, what hazards are in the workplace and how to prevent injuries from those hazards.

The right to participate Members have the right to participate in safety and health activities in the workplace without fear of discipline.

The right to refuse unsafe work Members are legally entitled to refuse work they believe to be dangerous to their safety and health or to that of another worker.

The right to protection from discrimination Members cannot be disciplined or discriminated against for exercising their rights and acting in the best interest of safety.

Member responsibilities New members are responsible for following safety and health procedures in a workplace (fabrication lab) and taking care to uphold their responsibilities towards maintaining a safe and healthy workplace.

All members must:

take reasonable care to protect themselves and others
follow the safety and health rules of the fabrication lab
use personal protective equipment, clothing and devices
cooperate with the workplace safety and health committee or representative
cooperate with others on workplace safety and health matters.

Keeping Fabrication Lab tidy is a requirement in maintaining a quality workspace. Work areas, as well as food and lobby area, are expected to be kept clean and presentable. Our ‘rule of thumb” is for members to clean an additional few meters of space around them when finishing. This means cleaning up after themselves in the coworking desk area, in the Fabrication Lab as well as the lobby area. Food stored in the fridge should be labeled with member’s name and date.

Legal requirements under workplace safety and health legislation: Section 5, Duties of workers; Section 7.5, Duty to Provide Required Information Section 40, Workplace Safety and Health Committees and Representatives Section 43(1), Right to Refuse Dangerous Work Part 35, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems Application of M.R. 217/20

I agree and commit to the above:

First name

Last name

Date picker

Signature

Signature field is empty.

If you require any accommodation due to your age, language, mobility, etc. that may hinder your understanding of our Safety policies and procedures or to evacuate quickly during an emergency situation, please identify yourself to anyone on the Safety Committee. Also refer

to Vulnerable Workers Policy in our Safety Manual.

Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulation 4(1) Every employer shall in accordance with the objects and purposes of this Act (a) ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of all his workers.

This new member orientation follows Part 2.2.1 (1) - (3) of the Workplace Safety and Health Regulation.

Safety Orientation Checklist

Please check boxes as you are receiving the orientation, to ensure you received all the information required:

Safety Related Items:

Paint Room:

Multi choice

All flammable liquids must be stored in the flammable liquids storage cabinet labeled with the member’s name and date. All flammable liquids not labeled are cleaned out on a monthly basis. Bring home empty flammable liquids and recycle on your own.

All oily rags must be disposed of in the oily waste can.

Record the amount of paint used in the last 8 hours. Note: a standard 6 “ spray can can contain 4 oz. There are legal limits on how much we can paint in the paint booth per 8 hours.

CNC Room:

Multi choice

Hazards include: LOTS of dust, noise projectiles, laceration and entanglement.

The PPE required is: ear protection (ear muffs are available in the tool room for use), eye protection (also available in the tool room), dust mask (minimum N95).

While operating equipment, the average noise level is 85dBA Lex or higher.

Shown the location of the eye wash, fire extinguishers, and first aid kit.

Training is required to use all equipment in the room and discussed training information (arranging training, cost, etc.).

Planer also requires training or validation.

Training information (arranging training, cost, etc).

Damage policy and cleanup procedures including: sweeping and dust cleanup; emptying dust collectors as per training; breaking down waste before putting in garbage bags - no sharp edges.

Dust collectors and room exhaust are interlocked to the power - don’t shut off unless you are the last one using the collector or the last one in the room.

Bockstael Carpentry Room:

Multi choice

Hazards: noise, dust, projectiles, laceration, entanglement.

The PPE required is: ear protection (either plugs or muffs available in the tool room for use), eye protection (also available in the tool room), dust mask (minimum N95).

While operating equipment, the average noise level is 85dBA Lex or Higher.

NO long sleeves and NO work gloves on while operating equipment. Long hair must be tied back. Jewelry, earbuds, hoodie strings removed before operating.

Shown the location of the eye wash, fire extinguishers and first aid kit.

Training is required to use all carpentry room machines. Proficiency training on the safe use of the equipment can be arranged if you have prior experience.

No wood or hand tools are to be stored in the wood room per our operating permit.

Make sure to clean equipment thoroughly.

General Assembly Area:

Freight Elevators:

Multi choice

Bring your key fob and a cell phone with you when using.

The back Freight Elevator is part of the regular shop space and PPE is required.

Gloves are recommended when operating the elevators.

Rails are not guarded so things can get caught. Un-tied long hair, loose clothes, and jewelry (especially hand jewelry) are not allowed.

Close doors with care. One person needs to open and close the doors. Do not slam down the doors because they could come off the railings.

Do not have more than one person opening and closing the doors.

When not in use, do not leave the doors open on the 3rd floor or 1st floor.

When working in the basement, leave the door open because it’s possible to get trapped down there. Post on Slack indicating that you’re down there and your phone number in case someone needs the elevator.

Laser Room:

Multi choice

Training is required by members before using any laser cutter machines.

Follow safety guidelines outlined in your training for starting a job and ending a job (Air assist on, blower on while operating the laser cutters, Safety glasses are required while operating the laser cutters, properly clean the lens before each use).

Clean up after using the equipment.

While operating equipment, the average noise level is 85dBA Lex or Higher.

The PPE required is: hearing protection and safety glasses. (Ear plugs, ear muffs and safety glasses are all available in the tool room for use).

Remain in the room at all times while a job is cutting.

There are a number of materials not allowed. Check the list and ask permission if it is not on the list.

Break down materials before putting in trash, avoid large pieces and sharp edges.

Ecopoxy Room:

Multi choice

Training is required by members before using the Ecopoxy room and/or resin materials.

PPE required: gloves, safety glasses

Shown the location of the fire extinguisher in the room

IoT Innovation Lab:

Multi choice

Shown location of safety equipment for the room.

3D Printing Room:

Multi choice

Training is required to operate any of the 3D Printers.

Note location of Safety Data Sheets (SDS), safety gloves for resin.

Shown member filament storage, and that all filament being stored must be labeled.

Shown the location of the finished prints bin.

Metal Shop - 1st Floor:

Design Space - 1st Floor:

Multi choice

Shown the location of the eye wash station, first aid kit, fire exits and fire extinguishers.

Sharp objects are put away in the drawer when not in use.

Training is required for equipment in the design space.

Safety and general information about the North Forge Fabrication Lab is available by asking in #125-general channel on Slack:

Multi choice

If I'm unsure or have questions about safety or general information on the North Forge Fabrication Lab I will ask on Slack.

FabLab New Member Safety Orientation

New Member Safety Orientation

Safety Orientation Checklist

Don't miss out.

Sign up for our email updates and be the first to know about the latest news, trends, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.