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Shops and Makerspaces

MIT shops and makerspaces play a critical role in education, research and maintenance activities at MIT. This webpage provides EHS guidance and links to resources useful for working safely with the tools and machines used in these areas and maintaining compliance with relevant safety and environmental regulations. The guidance on this webpage applies to any space on Campus where machines and digital fabrication tools are used, including research labs. For information specific to makerspaces in student housing, contact the Division of Student Life (DSL) EHS Program Manager. 

Note: If you supervise a shop or makerspace, see the “Resources for Shop and Makerspace Supervisors/Managers” section.   

User Training

It is important to understand the safety rules for your shop or makerspaces and know how to safely operate each tool you useThe PI and supervisor of the shop, makerspace, or other location with tools are responsible for ensuring that all users are trained. In almost all spaces, the training below is required. 

Machine Guarding 

According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) statistics, approximately 18,000 individuals who are exposed to unguarded or inadequately guarded machines suffer from amputations, lacerations, crushing injuries and abrasions annually. Additionally, over 800 individuals per year die from unguarded or inadequately guarded machines. For this reason, OSHA regulations require that any machine part, function, or process that can cause injury to an individual have appropriate machine guarding. Note that equipment that does not comply with OSHA regulations can be purchased. 

Locations where machine safeguarding is necessary include the point of operation, nip points, rotating parts, and moving parts that can lead to flying chips and sparks. The specific machine guarding method will vary depending on the type of machinery. Per OSHA requirements, all machine guards must: 

  • Prevent contact with the hazard 
  • Be secured in place and tamper proof 
  • Create no new hazards 
  • Allow for lubrication of the machine with the guard still in place 
  • Not interfere with the machine’s operation 

If you have questions about guarding requirements for your equipment, please contact EHS, environment@mit.edu. 

Digital Fabrication 

Digital fabrication tools use digital data to control additive and subtractive manufacturing tools and machines such as 3D printers, laser cutters, water jets and CNC milling machines. EHS has developed guidance for two digital fabrication tools: 3D Printers and Laser Cutters. 

Resources for Shop Supervisors/Managers 

Shop and makerspace supervisors/managers play a key role in maintaining health and safety in their work areas by ensuring effective rules and procedures are in place and users receive adequate training before operating tools. New supervisors should contact the EHS Office to be added to the machine shop email list and training group. This list is used to send invites to shop supervisor meetings and distribute relevant EHS information to shops and makerspaces. 

Shop and Makerspace Guidance Document 

The EHS Office in collaboration with other stakeholders on campus developed the Shop and Makerspace Safety document (MIT Certificate required).  

The guidance document gives information for the administration and the oversight of shops and makerspaces. It establishes a framework for classifying and safely using tools and equipment and outlines training and supervision requirements. 

Shop Supervisor/Manager Training Responsibilities and Requirements 

Shop supervisors/managers are responsible for ensuring that all users complete shop-specific and individual tool training as detailed in the User Training section. Shop supervisors/managers should document user training. There should be a system such as card access or shop mentors in place to ensure that only authorized, trained users have access.

Shop Managers must fulfill training requirements in the following areas related to shop and makerspace safety. Please contact the EHS Office, environment@mit.edu, to be added to the Shop Supervisors/Managers training group.  

  • Hazard Communication covers chemical awareness and safety in shops and makerspaces. Visit the links below for more information on the MIT Hazard Communication Program or Hazard Communication training: 
  • Hazardous Waste Generation/Water Pollution Controls training is important to protect the people, environment, and the workplace from harmful effects. All supervisor roles for shops and makerspaces which generate chemical waste (oil, cutting fluids, photo chemicals, solvents, acids/bases, oil-based-paints, etc.) must complete an annual hazardous waste training course.  This training can be accomplished through EHS via in-person shop/makerspace specific sessions (EHS00521) offered monthly or the more general Managing Hazardous Waste training (EHS00501)You can also schedule a site-specific version for the members of your group/shop by contacting EHS.  
  • Emergency Preparedness for Shop Supervisors. This training covers emergency preparedness for your shop or makerspace. Contact EHS for the next scheduled class. 
  • Lock-out/Tag-Out Authorized Person is required before servicing or maintenance of certain equipment.  Additional information about MIT’s Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Program, including LOTO Authorized Person training, is available on the LOTO page.

Environmental Management 

Shops and makerspaces must follow the same chemical waste regulations as laboratories and other MIT spaces. Areas of concern for the MIT Environmental Management Program include oil and cutting fluid, 3D printing waste, paints and aerosol cans.  

Visit the Chemical Waste page for chemical waste requirements such as determining which wastes are hazardous, labeling, collecting, and/or disposing chemical wastesNote, anyone who generates hazardous wastes at MIT is required to complete training annually. 

Recommendations for Purchasing Equipment 

It is the responsibility of the tool purchaser to ensure that safety features required by regulation such as guarding and emergency power off buttons are included. EHS recommends that when considering tools for purchase, ensure they are NRTL labeled or listed and comply with all relevant safety standards for machine tools and other equipment. It’s also important to determine that the shop infrastructure can support any needed facility requirements of the tool such as exhaust ventilation and that the shop has the needed safety equipment such as eyewashes. Shop supervisors should involve their Facility Manager or other responsible person when considering the purchase of tools with infrastructure needs. 

Laser Hazards

Tool purchasers should also be aware of equipment with increasing commercial availability that may present laser hazards.  This equipment includes laser welders and laser cutters where the beam may not be isolated inside an appropriate enclosure. Before purchasing any lasers for your shops/makerspace, especially Class IV lasers, contact the EHS Radiation Protection Program for guidance.

Incident and Injury Reporting 

All incidents, injuries and significant near misses should be reported. The EHS Occupational Injury or Illness Reporting webpage has instructions for reporting injuries for both employees and students. The EHS Coordinator or EHS team member for your department can assist in reporting other incidents. 

Additional Information 

MIT shops and makerspaces play a critical role in education, research and maintenance activities at MIT. This webpage provides EHS guidance and links to resources useful for working safely with the tools and machines used in these areas and maintaining compliance with relevant safety and environmental regulations. The guidance on this webpage applies to any space on Campus where machines and digital fabrication tools are used, including research labs. For information specific to makerspaces in student housing, contact the Division of Student Life (DSL) EHS Program Manager. 

Note: If you supervise a shop or makerspace, see the “Resources for Shop and Makerspace Supervisors/Managers” section.   

User Training

It is important to understand the safety rules for your shop or makerspaces and know how to safely operate each tool you useThe PI and supervisor of the shop, makerspace, or other location with tools are responsible for ensuring that all users are trained. In almost all spaces, the training below is required. 

Machine Guarding 

According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) statistics, approximately 18,000 individuals who are exposed to unguarded or inadequately guarded machines suffer from amputations, lacerations, crushing injuries and abrasions annually. Additionally, over 800 individuals per year die from unguarded or inadequately guarded machines. For this reason, OSHA regulations require that any machine part, function, or process that can cause injury to an individual have appropriate machine guarding. Note that equipment that does not comply with OSHA regulations can be purchased. 

Locations where machine safeguarding is necessary include the point of operation, nip points, rotating parts, and moving parts that can lead to flying chips and sparks. The specific machine guarding method will vary depending on the type of machinery. Per OSHA requirements, all machine guards must: 

  • Prevent contact with the hazard 
  • Be secured in place and tamper proof 
  • Create no new hazards 
  • Allow for lubrication of the machine with the guard still in place 
  • Not interfere with the machine’s operation 

If you have questions about guarding requirements for your equipment, please contact EHS, environment@mit.edu. 

Digital Fabrication 

Digital fabrication tools use digital data to control additive and subtractive manufacturing tools and machines such as 3D printers, laser cutters, water jets and CNC milling machines. EHS has developed guidance for two digital fabrication tools: 3D Printers and Laser Cutters. 

Resources for Shop Supervisors/Managers 

Shop and makerspace supervisors/managers play a key role in maintaining health and safety in their work areas by ensuring effective rules and procedures are in place and users receive adequate training before operating tools. New supervisors should contact the EHS Office to be added to the machine shop email list and training group. This list is used to send invites to shop supervisor meetings and distribute relevant EHS information to shops and makerspaces. 

Shop and Makerspace Guidance Document 

The EHS Office in collaboration with other stakeholders on campus developed the Shop and Makerspace Safety document (MIT Certificate required).  

The guidance document gives information for the administration and the oversight of shops and makerspaces. It establishes a framework for classifying and safely using tools and equipment and outlines training and supervision requirements. 

Shop Supervisor/Manager Training Responsibilities and Requirements 

Shop supervisors/managers are responsible for ensuring that all users complete shop-specific and individual tool training as detailed in the User Training section. Shop supervisors/managers should document user training. There should be a system such as card access or shop mentors in place to ensure that only authorized, trained users have access.

Shop Managers must fulfill training requirements in the following areas related to shop and makerspace safety. Please contact the EHS Office, environment@mit.edu, to be added to the Shop Supervisors/Managers training group.  

  • Hazard Communication covers chemical awareness and safety in shops and makerspaces. Visit the links below for more information on the MIT Hazard Communication Program or Hazard Communication training: 
  • Hazardous Waste Generation/Water Pollution Controls training is important to protect the people, environment, and the workplace from harmful effects. All supervisor roles for shops and makerspaces which generate chemical waste (oil, cutting fluids, photo chemicals, solvents, acids/bases, oil-based-paints, etc.) must complete an annual hazardous waste training course.  This training can be accomplished through EHS via in-person shop/makerspace specific sessions (EHS00521) offered monthly or the more general Managing Hazardous Waste training (EHS00501)You can also schedule a site-specific version for the members of your group/shop by contacting EHS.  
  • Emergency Preparedness for Shop Supervisors. This training covers emergency preparedness for your shop or makerspace. Contact EHS for the next scheduled class. 
  • Lock-out/Tag-Out Authorized Person is required before servicing or maintenance of certain equipment.  Additional information about MIT’s Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Program, including LOTO Authorized Person training, is available on the LOTO page.

Environmental Management 

Shops and makerspaces must follow the same chemical waste regulations as laboratories and other MIT spaces. Areas of concern for the MIT Environmental Management Program include oil and cutting fluid, 3D printing waste, paints and aerosol cans.  

Visit the Chemical Waste page for chemical waste requirements such as determining which wastes are hazardous, labeling, collecting, and/or disposing chemical wastesNote, anyone who generates hazardous wastes at MIT is required to complete training annually. 

Recommendations for Purchasing Equipment 

It is the responsibility of the tool purchaser to ensure that safety features required by regulation such as guarding and emergency power off buttons are included. EHS recommends that when considering tools for purchase, ensure they are NRTL labeled or listed and comply with all relevant safety standards for machine tools and other equipment. It’s also important to determine that the shop infrastructure can support any needed facility requirements of the tool such as exhaust ventilation and that the shop has the needed safety equipment such as eyewashes. Shop supervisors should involve their Facility Manager or other responsible person when considering the purchase of tools with infrastructure needs. 

Laser Hazards

Tool purchasers should also be aware of equipment with increasing commercial availability that may present laser hazards.  This equipment includes laser welders and laser cutters where the beam may not be isolated inside an appropriate enclosure. Before purchasing any lasers for your shops/makerspace, especially Class IV lasers, contact the EHS Radiation Protection Program for guidance.

Incident and Injury Reporting 

All incidents, injuries and significant near misses should be reported. The EHS Occupational Injury or Illness Reporting webpage has instructions for reporting injuries for both employees and students. The EHS Coordinator or EHS team member for your department can assist in reporting other incidents. 

Additional Information