FabLab Safety & Shared-Space Rules

The FabLab is a teaching-first environment. Safety is part of learning how to make well: understand the process, use the current controls, stay attentive, and stop when something is unclear or abnormal.

This page is a general safety baseline. It does not replace tool-specific training, posted instructions, required supervision, or official University emergency guidance.

The Most Important Rule

If you are uncertain, stop and ask. Uncertainty about a material, machine status, setup, guard, ventilation system, file, or operating step is not permission to continue.

Ask the staff member or authorized student worker on duty before proceeding.

Before You Use Equipment

Complete the training and authorization required for that specific tool or process.
Check the posted equipment status. Do not use equipment marked unavailable, restricted, under maintenance, or awaiting inspection.
Follow the current point-of-use attire and personal protective equipment requirements.
Use only known, approved materials for the process.
Confirm that guards, interlocks, ventilation, dust collection, and other required controls are in place and operating.
Keep aisles, exits, controls, and shared work surfaces clear.
Review the planned operation before starting. A reservation or room access does not replace training or authorization.

While You Work

Follow the procedure and operating limits you were taught.
Stay attentive to the equipment and surrounding area.
Never bypass, remove, or defeat a guard, interlock, ventilation system, dust-control system, or other safety control.
Do not attempt a repair, adjustment, or operation outside your training.
Stop if the equipment produces unexpected motion, sound, heat, smoke, odor, vibration, sparks, or results.
Follow directions from FabLab staff and authorized student workers responsible for the space.

If Equipment Behaves Abnormally

Stop the operation if you can do so safely.
Keep other people away from the affected equipment or area.
Do not reset, troubleshoot, remove guards, or attempt a repair.
Notify the staff member or authorized student worker on duty.
Leave the equipment unavailable until a qualified person has inspected and released it.

Report injuries, near misses, equipment damage, material incidents, and unsafe conditions promptly. Good-faith reporting helps prevent the same problem from reaching the next user.

Emergency Guidance

For fire, smoke, a serious injury, or another immediate danger:

Warn people nearby and follow building alarms or official instructions.
Evacuate by the nearest safe exit when directed.
Call 911 from a safe location.
Follow UK Police, fire department, emergency responder, and UK Alert instructions.
Do not re-enter or restart equipment until authorized.

Use only emergency actions you are trained and able to perform safely. Do not delay evacuation to retrieve belongings, finish a job, or investigate a hazard.

Official University resources:

Before You Leave

Stop work with enough time to clean the area safely.
Return tools and shared protective equipment to their designated locations.
Remove scraps and debris using the process appropriate for that material.
Preserve reusable material only in the designated reuse area.
Report missing, damaged, or abnormal equipment.
Leave the workspace safe and ready for the next user.