Safety Basics
Rules and habits that apply everywhere in the shop.
General Safety Guidelines
These are the habits that apply everywhere in the shop, no matter which area you are working in. They are covered at New Member Orientation; this page is the written version.
Before you use any tool
- Get trained first. All corded tools require training before use. Even experienced makers must complete training, because our tools may not match the ones you know. See Training and Certification: How Certification Works.
- Inspect before every use. We are hackers at heart and equipment here may have been modified beyond its factory state. Always assume a tool has been altered and look it over before you start. See Training and Certification: Pre-Use Inspection.
- Wear the right PPE. See Shop Safety: Personal Protective Equipment.
- Do not use power tools if you are impaired. That includes after drinking alcohol, when you are drowsy, or when anything else is affecting your judgment.
While you work
- Keep your head in the game. If you are unsure how to do something, stop and ask a board member or an experienced member, or ask on Discord.
- Stay aware of the people around you and avoid creating unsafe distractions for others.
- Keep walkways and shared workspaces clear. Only store items in designated areas or on carts, and put large projects on wheels so others can move them.
- Never block fire lanes, electrical panels, sprinkler heads or fire extinguishers.
Speak up for safety
- If you see something unsafe, say something.
- Approach others with kindness and a helpful attitude. Everyone is learning, and we are all here to keep each other safe.
- Report accidents, injuries and near-misses. See Shop Safety: Incident and Near-Miss Reporting.
Guests and minors
- Guests are welcome to tour the space but may not use any equipment under any circumstances. Only active members who have completed the proper training may operate tools and machines.
- Minors are not permitted in hazardous work areas. See Shop Safety: Minors in the Shop.
When you are done
- Clean up after yourself and leave the area as good as, or better than, you found it.
- If a tool is broken or not working right, do not leave it for the next person to discover. See Shop Safety: Tagging a Tool Out of Service and Reporting It.
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required in the shop. Use the PPE that fits the tool and the job every time, even for "just one quick cut".
To be confirmed: what PPE the shop provides, where it is kept, and what members are expected to bring themselves.
The basics
- Eye protection. Wear safety glasses or goggles whenever you run a power tool or do anything that can throw chips, dust or sparks.
- Hearing protection. Saws, routers, planers, grinders and dust collectors are loud enough to damage hearing over time. Wear earplugs or earmuffs.
- Respiratory protection. Wear a suitable mask or respirator for fine dust, finishing products and fumes. See Shop Safety: Air Quality.
- Clothing. Tie back long hair, and avoid loose sleeves, dangling jewelry and lanyards around rotating tools.
By area
- Metal Shop: PPE is required for welding and grinding. Welding needs a proper welding helmet, gloves and flame-resistant clothing; grinding needs eye and face protection.
- Wood Shop: eye and hearing protection at a minimum. The Wood Shop: Radial Arm Saw page calls out goggles and hearing protection specifically.
- Paint and spray work (Flex Space): respiratory protection suited to the product you are spraying. Check the product label.
Equipment SOP pages list any extra PPE a specific tool needs. If you are not sure what a tool needs, ask before you start.
Working Alone
You are allowed to work alone at the makerspace. Many memberships include 24/7 access, so there will be times when you are the only person in the building.
If you are doing something that could be dangerous, we strongly encourage you to:
- Let someone know you are in the space. Post in #general on Discord when you arrive and when you leave.
- Ask someone to check in on you occasionally while you work.
- Keep your phone with you so you can call 911 if you need to. The address for emergency services is on Shop Safety: Emergency Information.
Working alone is also a good reason to slow down. Nobody is there to notice a problem, hit a stop switch or help you, so stick to tasks you are trained and comfortable with, and save the unfamiliar or risky jobs for when someone else is around.
Minors in the Shop
On 2026-07-21 the Board of Directors adopted the Minor Safety Policy (Minors in Hazardous Work Areas). This page is a short summary. The policy itself is the official text; see Policies: Minor Safety Policy.
To be confirmed: the full adopted policy text is not yet published. This summary covers only what the board minutes record as adopted. It will be expanded once the final text is filed.
What the policy says
- A minor is anyone under 18.
- Minors are not permitted in hazardous work areas of the shop.
- The Board of Directors has the final say on all cases the policy applies to, including approving exceptions case by case.
What this means for members
- Do not bring anyone under 18 into the shop areas. The orientation materials put it this way: no guests under 18 in the shop, except during special events or with board approval.
- If you have a group or a situation you think deserves an exception (for example, an organized educational visit), ask the board before the visit. Email info@waukeshamakers.com.
- For general guest rules, see New Member Guide: Guests, Family Members and Pets.