Guidelines

The FABRICATION & ELECTRONICS Safety Manual


Lab Introduction

The Fabrication & Electronics Lab (Fab Lab) is an amazing resource for you to realize your projects. Because of very real safety and environmental hazards present, there are many rules to keep the lab productive and safe for everyone.

This manual is not and cannot be a comprehensive guide to every situation that you may encounter while working in the Fab Lab. You are expected to exercise caution, best judgment, and respect for your colleagues at all times.

Unacceptable behaviour could result in revocation of Fab Lab access for the duration of your DMA career.


LAB AREAS
The lab is comprised of 10 rooms.

(1) The Shop – room 2250 – Machinery room where most dirty and dust work happens.
(2) The Electronics Lab – north half of room 2250F – Space for prototyping, testing, and assembly of electronic circuits and 3D printing.
(3) The Tool Room – room 2250B – Electric and manual hand tools are stored here along with consumable supplies for the shop.
(4) UG Classroom and Mold making – south half of room 2250F – Classroom for UG classes. Casting and moldmaking supplies as well as sewing machines are located here.
(5) Graduate Installation – room 2250K – Installation space for up to four grads.
(6) Dust Collector Room – room 2250G – Houses the dust collector and air compressor for The Shop.
(7) Laser Room – room 2250H – Space for laser cutters and attendant supplies. This space is locked when staff are not present.
(8) Storage Room – room 2250K – Storage for sheet goods, shop supplies, and Form class projects.
(9) Paint Roomroom 2250D – Paint booth for use with water based paints and coatings.
(10) Lab Staff Office – room 2250A

SHOP RESOURCES
  • Shopbot PRS Alpha 4896 : CNC router
  • Shopbot Desktop : CNC router
  • Universal ILS12.150D : laser cutter
  • Universal PLS6.60 : laser cutter
  • Ultimaker 3 Extended : 3D printer
  • Ultimaker 3 : 3D printer
  • Roland GX-24 : vinyl cutter
  • SawStop 10” : cabinet saw
  • Agazzani B18/18 : bandsaw
  • Safety Speed Cut H5 : vertical panel saw
  • Formec 508FS : vacuum former
  • Festool CMS-GE : router table
  • Festool sanders
  • Festool OF 1400 EQ-Plus : router
  • Festool TS 55 EQ-Plus : track saw
  • General International Column Drill Press
  • General International 13” Thickness Planer
  • General International Excalibur 30” scroll saw
  • Makita Sliding compound miter saw
  • General International 6” x 108” Edge Sander
  • Laguna 20” Disc sander
  • Spindle sander
  • Foredom rotary tool
  • Juki overlock sewing machine
  • Bernina 1008 sewing machine
  • Benchtop paint booth for airbrush and spray guns

ELECTRONICS LAB & RESOURCES
  • Bantam tools PCB milling machine
  • Soldering Workstations
  • Function generator
  • Oscilloscope
  • Siglent SPD3303X-E : programmable
  • power supply
  • Bench variable power supplies
  • PCB vises
  • Multimeters
  • Wire cutters and strippers
  • Heat guns
  • Spare parts

more information click here. You can come and check out items in the library.

PEOPLE
  • Fab Lab Supervisor – Jonathan Cecil – lab manager responsible for oversight of the Fabrication and Electronics Lab. Can supervise student work in the lab.
  • Fab Lab Graduate Student Researcher – Dasul Kim – can supervise student work in the lab.
  • Fab Lab Student Assistants – assist with shop chores and laser cut jobs. – Can not supervise student work in the lab.

RESPONSIBILITIES
  • The Fabrication and Electronics lab managers have full authority over the Fab Lab area and ensures that safe practices are taught, including the responsibility, authority, and obligation to prohibit shop or tool access for the safety of an individual and others in the shop.
  • Students, faculty, and staff must all comply with all applicable health and safety regulations, policies, work practices, and Fab Lab policies.

UNDERGRAD ACCESS
  • Students who have taken the required orientation, signed the affidavit, and paid required fees may use the Fab Lab during designated daytime hours. Up to 35 undergraduate DMA majors quarterly may sign up for drop in access during open hours. Other students, including undergraduate non-majors, are special access only.
  • Employees of the Department of Design Media Arts may request training and access for open lab hours.
  • Basic orientation confers access privileges and basic tool use only. Specialized equipment, including the table saw, miter saw, and bandsaw, require machine specific trainings. Training on a per-tool basis is required for each academic year.

GRADUATE ACCESS
  • MFA candidates who have taken the required orientation, signed the affidavit, and paid the required fees have 24-hour BruinCard access to the lab; the availability of some equipment may be restricted after hours.
  • Students must always work in pairs after hours. Using “the buddy system” will ensure that there is always someone to help in case of emergency or injury.
  • Although access to the Untitled Cafe is available through the front door, under no circumstances should the cafe space be used outside its normal operational hours.
  • After hours access is available for trained graduate students only, undergraduate students may not use the labs after hours, under any circumstances, even if assisting with grad projects.
  • Graduate students may not invite undergraduates to work in the lab at any time, even during normal hours of operation, unless arrangements have been previously made with the Lab Manager.
  • Graduate students lose access and storage privileges on the last day of the quarter in which they graduate.

GRADUATE INSTALLATION ROOMS
  • Room 2250K is available to graduate students for check out use.
  • Up to four students can use the checkout space.
  • To make a request, email the Fab Lab supervisor with a description of the project and duration of requested checkout.
  • Requests for space are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Each use is for a minimum of three weeks.
  • During the last week or two of each quarter, it may be necessary to have a group exhibition in the spaces. Be prepared to move if this situation arises.
  • If move out is necessary to accommodate a new request, the user who has had space the longest is given notice to leave.
  • A maximum of one week is given to leave the space.
  • If more than one person is waiting for a space, priority is given to those who have not had access during the current quarter.
  • Students are expected to return the space to a clean, orderly condition upon moving out. All materials and projects should be stored elsewhere. Walls should be patched and painted. Floors swept.
  • Requesting space and not using it is prohibited. If a week goes by with no work and a person is in the queue waiting to work, a student can lose their checkout period.
  • Extending work time is possible, but only if there is no other interest in the space.

USER AUTHORIZATION AND TRAINING
  • All shop users must be given a yearly site orientation and be trained in emergency procedures specific to the shop and machines used.
  • Approval to operate each machine listed on Orientation and Training Affidavit must be obtained annually prior to use.
  • The appropriate level of supervision (Direct or General) shall be determined by the Lab Manager according to the level of equipment hazard and user training/competence.
  • The training form certifies this level of qualification and must be on file in the Training Records binder found near the front door of the lab.
  • Users who have been certified on a tool for the Direct level of supervision must check their tool setup, material, and initial operation of the tool with
  • a Lab Manager before proceeding with their work.

FEES
  • Graduate students are charged a $100 lab fee at the end of each quarter in which access was assigned.
  • Graduate students must notify the Lab Manager each quarter access is desired.
  • Access to the lab is removed at the beginning of each quarter.
  • The summer between a student’s first and second graduate years is treated as one quarter.
  • Undergraduate students are charged a $70 lab fee at the end of each quarter in which access was assigned.
  • The laser cutter is run as a service separate from the access provided by paying the lab fee.
  • The laser cutter costs $2 per minute, with a minimum $5 setup fee and $20 per hour of setup there-after.

HAZARDS
  • Most Fab Lab work procedures are in place to mitigate the health and safety hazards encountered while working in the lab. These hazards include, but are not limited too:
    • Dust – wood and plastic dust from hand and power tools.
    • Burns – from hot equipment like soldering irons and heat guns.
    • Pinches – from moving machine parts.
    • Slips and Falls – from slippery surfaces or ladders.
    • Lacerations – from sharp tools, both hand and power tools, and rough materials.
    • Amputation and Dismemberment – from powered saws, sanders, and possibly, hand tools.
  • Before you start work, think through your processes and steps to determine what hazards are present.
  • Use recommended PPE to prevent injury, or determine if a different process or tool can achieve the same effect.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
  • Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) is required whenever work hazards are present, and should be donned prior beginning work.
  • Most PPE is found on the shelf at the front of the lab.
  • Safety glasses prevent debris from contacting eyes. Almost every tool in the Fab Lab requires the use of safety glasses, so they should be worn whenever any work is happening in the lab.
  • Earmuffs protect ears from loud noise associated with many types of power tools. Earmuffs should be worn when working around any power tools.
  • N95 dust masks protect the user from debris in the air. When using processes which create wood or other powders, a dust mask should be used.
  • Leather gloves protect hands when handling sharp or rough surfaces. However, leather gloves should never be used with power tools as the gloves can become caught in the device.
  • Nitrile gloves protect hands from chemicals found in glues and cleaners.
  • Nitrile gloves are disposable and should be discarded after use. Do not use with electric power tools.
  • Shop aprons protect torso from sharp or rough surfaces and flying debris.

WORK ATTIRE
  • Proper shop-clothing must worn at all times, including long pants and close toe shoes. Sandals and flip flops are prohibited.
  • No loose clothing may be worn, including ties, scarves, loose sleeves, and loose skirts.
  • Remove loose jewelry before beginning work; including rings, necklaces, bracelets and watches.
  • Long hair must be pulled back and secured and contained; long beards must also be contained.

SAFE WORK PRACTICES
  • Access privileges will be revoked if any student is found to be flagrantly disregarding safe work practices.
  • Never work alone.
  • Never work when tired or impaired.
  • Work safely and methodically. Resist “rushing” and ask for help when you need it.
  • Keep aisles, exits, and access to first-aid and electrical panels clear at all times.
  • Immediately report all problems or concerns to a Lab Manager.
  • Any injuries while working in the Fab Lab should be reported to a Lab Manager.
  • Report unsafe work when witnessed.
  • Housekeeping is everyone’s duty and includes cleaning up debris from machines and work areas frequently, maintaining proper equipment storage, and keeping walkways and doorways clear.
  • Cell phones and other personal electronic devices must not be used when working at any machine.
  • Food and drink are permitted by the front door only.
  • Friends, relatives, collaborators or spouses are not allowed to operate machinery or do any work in the Fab Lab.
  • All visitors must check-in with a Lab Manager before touring through the Fab Lab.

POWER TOOL SAFETY
  • Training is required for all power tools used in the Fab Lab.
  • Damaged equipment must be powered down as soon as is safe. Place a damaged equipment sign on the damaged equipment. Ready-made Damage Equipment signs can be found on the shelf near the front door.
  • Never attempt to use a machine that has been disconnected from a power source by means of a locking device.
  • Keep hands and other body parts a safe distance away from moving machine parts, workpieces, and cutters.
  • This includes other individuals: if necessary, warn others of hazards in the immediate area.
  • Use the recommended PPE for all power tools.
  • All guards and shields must be secured and in place prior to operating equipment.
  • Shop equipment must be used as intended by the Manufacturer.
  • Do not leave machines running unattended.
  • Be sure to power down any equipment when leaving the Fab Lab. This includes the table saw and soldering irons.
  • In case of equipment damage or failure, power down the equipment and notify the Lab Manager immediately.
  • If failure occurs after hours, make sure the power for the equipment is turned to off and place an Equipment Damaged sign on the tool.
  • Equipment damaged signs are found on the PPE shelf at the front of the Shop.

LADDER SAFETY
  • Always wear proper footwear with slip-resistant soles when using a ladder.
  • Face the ladder when ascending and descending and hold onto each side rail.
  • Never stand above the highest “safe standing level” indicated on the ladder.
  • Never reach so the center of your torso extends past the side rail of the ladder.
  • Ladders must be stored in an upright folded position, either chained or hung in the designated ladder storage location adjacent to the electronics lab.

RESTRICTED MATERIALS
  • For a variety of reasons, the following materials and items are not, and will never be, allowed in the Lab:
    • aerosol spray paint cans and solvent-based aerosols
    • welding
    • fiberglass resin, or fiberglass infused materials
    • pressure-treated wood
    • fire, explosives, ammunition, fireworks
    • projects using food or body fluids
    • weapons, firearms, both functional and replicas
    • acrylic cement ad products containing Dicloromethane(methylene chloride)
    • CRT monitors are not allowed for use in any projects
    • plaster and concrete is for use by special permission only

CHEMICALS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
  • A list of chemistry approved for Fab Lab use is available in the SDS binder at the front of the lab.
  • SDS (Safety Data Sheets) are a widely used system for cataloging information on many industrial chemicals and materials.
  • Consult the SDS binder and the Lab Manager about any chemical or product you encounter in the lab and are not familiar with.
  • Hazardous materials which are flammable must be stored in the Flammables Cabinet in their original containers. It’s the yellow cabinet by the sink.
  • All chemistry in the shop must be stored in a clean container that is labeled clearly with the contents.
  • If you wish to introduce a new chemical to the lab, email the SDS for the product to a Lab Manager.
  • There is no use of aerosol paint cans of any kind allowed in or around the Lab, including the patio and the balcony.
  • At no time should chemicals be put down the drain of the sink. Washing and rinsing brushes are okay, but do not dump paint in the sink.

STORAGE
  • All materials and projects entering and stored in the Fab Lab should be labeled with your name and the current date.
  • Lab spaces are for active projects, not for storing old projects and material.
    • Works-in-progress may be stored in the designated areas only.
    • Projects can remain in common spaces while a process, such as drying glue or paint, is finishing, but must be moved when possible.
    • Larger, or inactive, projects can occasionally be accommodated by special arrangement only.
  • It is highly recommended that you purchase a toolbox or storage bin that is clearly labeled for your personal tools and odds and ends.
  • Be sure to label all your tools and materials.
  • Raw materials, such as wood, may be stored in the shared storage areas provided it is clearly labelled with your name and the date it was initially stored.
  • Items NOT labelled belong to the Fab Lab and are not available for student use.
  • At the end of each quarter, the Shop and Electronics Lab are cleaned out.
  • At the end of each quarter, all undergraduate projects must be removed from the Fab Lab.
  • At the end of each year, all second-year graduate projects must be removed from the Fab Lab by the last day of class.

EMERGENCY PHONE
  • The lab emergency phone is located in The Shop on the East wall, near the Shopbot CNC router.
    • When you call 911 from a campus location, you will be connected to the University Police Dispatch.
    • Remember to stay calm and be prepared to answer the following questions:
      • Where is the emergency located? Your answer should be that you are in the Broad Art Center Room 2250.
      • What is the nature of the emergency? (fire, medical, chemical spill, etc…)
      • How did it happen?
      • When did it happen? How many minutes ago?
      • Who are you? Your name.
      • Gather any other information requested by the emergency responders.
  • Do not hang up until instructed to do so by the dispatcher.
  • You do not need to know all the answers to these questions, but quickly gather as much information as you can. Give a telephone number and safe location where the emergency responders can call or meet you, and wait for the responders at that safe location.

FIRE PROCEDURES AND EMERGENCY EGRESS
  • If the fire alarms sound, it is necessary to exit the building.
  • Follow an evacuation route from the Fab Lab to the exterior of the building:
    • Exit through the door to the Cafe and turn left at the lobby to head north to Charles E Young Drive North.
    • Exit through the door leading to the stairway adjacent to the freight elevator.
    • Take the stairway, not the elevator, to the ground floor and exit to the loading dock.
  • Make sure all doors are closed when exiting.
  • After outside the building, go to the meeting area for our building around the Richard Serra sculpture. Do not leave until instructed to do so by emergency personnel.

FIRE ALARMS
  • Three fire alarms are in the following locations:
    • in room 2250 on the wall adjacent to the inside of the front door.
    • in room 2250 on the wall near the inside of the back door that leads to the freight elevator.
    • in room 2250K on the wall near the inside of the door that leads to the patio.
  • In the event of a large fire inside the lab, pull the fire alarm follow the evacuation procedure.
    • You don’t need to stay to call 911. Emergency services will be dispatched to the building.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
  • Three fire extinguishers are in the following locations:
    • in room 2250 on the wall near the back sink.
    • in room 2250 on the wall near the inside of the back door that leads to the freight elevator.
    • in room 2250K on the wall in the corner adjacent to the door that leads to the patio.

EMERGENCY EYEWASH
  • An emergency eyewash is attached to the Fab Lab sink.
  • To activate, swing the eyewash toward the sink basin. Hold open your eyes in the flowing water to help remove foreign material.

FIRST AID KIT
  • A first aid kit is located on the concrete pier directly across from the door to the Tool Room.
  • It is stocked with bandages and ointment for treating minor scrapes and cuts.
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
  • Always call 911 if the person has collapsed, is unconscious, is not breathing, or shows other life-threatening signs.
    • From a campus phone: dial 911
    • From a cell phone: dial 911 or directly to campus dispatch at (310) 825 1491
  • If after hours, inform the Lab Manager if an emergency has taken place.
    • Jonathan’s home number is 805.680.3194. Please use only for emergencies.
ACTIVE SHOOTER
  • In the event that a gunman is active on campus:
    • Turn off all equipment and tools.
    • Close and lock the doors.
      • Each set of double doors in the lab has a floor latch, be sure these are engaged.
      • The Shop front door is usually unlocked in the afternoon, so to lock the door, you must tie a rope, strap, or belt around the inside handles.
      • Pull closed the back door to the Shop if it is open.
      • The patio door at the back of the Graduate Installation Room Two should be closed and locked.
      • The three sliding doors leading to the patio should be closed and locked.
  • Turn off the lights.
    • Lights for the Shop are located by the fire extinguisher near the back door.
    • Lights for the Electronics Lab are located inside 2250F, to the right side of the door.
    • Lights for Graduate Installation Room are in room 2250K, to the right side of the door.
      • Remain silent.
      • No machinery can be used in an Active Shooter situation, and do not work on projects of any kind.

EARTHQUAKE SAFETY AND PROCEDURES
  • If an earthquake starts while you are in the lab:
    • Duck, cover, and hold under a strong desk or table.
    • If a table or desk is not available, drop to the floor against an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms.
    • Avoid windows, hanging objects, mirrors, tall furniture, large appliances and cabinets filled with heavy objects.
    • It is safer to remain in Broad Art Center after an earthquake because of the danger of falling debris.
    • Do not try to run out of the building during a strong earthquake, you could be hurt or killed by falling items.
    • Do not use elevators during or after an earthquake.
  • After an earthquake:
    • Be prepared for aftershocks.
    • Check people around you for injury and provide first aid if necessary.
      • Do not move seriously injured people.
    • Check your surroundings for dangerous conditions such as fires and exposed electrical lines.
    • Put out any small fires.
    • Check that emergency phone is still resting in its cradle. Hang up the phone if it is dangling.
    • If you are trapped in debris:
      • Move as little as possible to prevent kicking up dust, and cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
      • Tap on a pipe or wall so that rescuers can hear where you are.
      • Shout only as a last resort.

OTHER SAFETY CONTACTS
  • UCLA Environment, Health, and Safety Hotline: (310) 825 9797
  • To report hazards or damage to a building, call Facilities: (310) 825 9236
  • Student Health Services: (310) 825 4073
  • National Poison Helpline: (800) 222 1222
  • UCLA Police: (310) 825 1491
  • UCLA Evening Walking Escort: (310) 794 WALK
  • UCLA Police Anonymous Reporting Line: (310) 794-5824
  • Recorded campus emergency information: 800-900-UCLA
  • On-campus emergency broadcast: AM 1630
  • UCLA Environment, Health and Safety: www.ehs.ucla.edu