Revision Date: July 1, 2025
Contents
2. Tools Used Outside of a Shop for Limited Time and Purpose
3. Tools Permanently Installed/Located Outside of a Shop
4. Student Use of Risk Group 1 and 2 Tools Outside of Shops
5. Student Use of Risk Group 3 and 4 Tools Outside of Shops
6. Supervision, Project Review, Training, and Lone Work
1. Overview
This guidance outlines the use of Tools by Undergraduate or Graduate students outside of a Student-Access Shop. The goal is to ensure safe Tool usage and prevent unauthorized access to unsecured Tools. Students may use Tools outside of a Shop under two main conditions:
- Temporary Use for a Specific Purpose: When it’s not feasible to complete a project inside a Shop. Examples include:
- Moving a portable table saw outside the Shop to work on a large piece that can’t fit inside.
- Using Tools for projects like scenery construction or the Jim Vlock building project.
- Permanent Tool Installation: When a Tool is permanently installed in a designated area outside the Shop. Examples include Tools like 3D printers, drill presses, benchtop milling machines, cordless drills, or laser cutters located outside of a Student-Access Shop.
This guidance applies to both curricular and extracurricular projects.
2. Tools Used Outside of a Shop for Limited Time and Purpose
Tools may be used outside a Shop temporarily under two circumstances:
- Temporarily Removing Shop Tools
Requirements:- Approval: Shop Supervisor approval is mandatory to remove any Tool from a Shop.
- Responsibility: The Shop Supervisor oversees Tool safety and ensures Tool users are properly trained.
- Return: A time frame for returning the Tool must be established.
- Training: The user must follow all relevant training and safety protocols (see table below).
- Security: When not in use, Tools must be secured (e.g., locked or stored in a restricted-access area) to prevent use by unauthorized individuals.
- Using Tools for Projects Outside a Shop
Students may use Risk Group 2-4 Tools outside of a shop under these conditions:- Supervision: A faculty or staff member must supervise the project.
- Responsibility: The supervising member ensures Tool safety and student training.
- Project Plan: For applicable projects (see table below), a Student Project/Activity Proposal and Safety Plan must be completed and approved by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)1. See Form 4302 FR.06 Student Project Safety Review Form for the safety plan format (one plan can cover multiple similar projects).
- Training: Students must follow all relevant training and safety protocols (see table below).
- Security: When not in use, Tools must be secured (e.g., locked or stored in a restricted-access area) to prevent use by unauthorized individuals.
- Tool Return: Upon project completion, Tools must be returned to secure storage under the supervising faculty or staff member’s control.
3. Tools Permanently Installed/Located Outside of a Shop
Risk Group 3-4 Tools may be permanently installed outside of a shop with these requirements:
- Supervision: A faculty or staff member controls access and use of the Tool.
- Responsibility: The supervising faculty or staff ensures safe Tool use and provides necessary training.
- Project Plan: For applicable projects, a Student Project/Activity Proposal and safety plan must be completed and approved by EHS (see Form 4302 FR.06 Student Project Safety Review Form for the safety plan format).
- Training: Students must follow all relevant training and safety protocols (see table below).
- Security: When not in use, Tools must be secured (e.g., locked or stored in a restricted-access area) to prevent use by unauthorized individuals.
4. Student Use of Risk Group 1 and 2 Tools Outside of Shops
Risk Group 1 Tools: No restrictions on acquisition, use, monitoring, or location. No supervision or approval is required.
Risk Group 2 Tools: Generally, no supervision or approval is required. Students may use these Tools under the following conditions:
- Read Instructions: Prior to use, students must read and understand the Tool’s instruction manual, focusing on safety.
- Maintenance: Ensure the Tool and accessories (e.g., dull drill bits) are properly maintained.
- Intended Use: Tools must only be used for their intended purposes.
- Security: When not in use, Tools must be secured (e.g., locked or stored in a restricted-access area) to prevent use by unauthorized individuals.
- Incident Reporting: Any Tool malfunction, injury, or incident must be reported to EHS and Risk Management.
5. Student Use of Risk Group 3 and 4 Tools Outside of Shops
Students may use Risk Group 3-4 Tools outside a Shop only if one or more of the following conditions are met :
- The Tool originated from a Shop and permission was given.
- The Tool is used for an approved project.
- The Tool is permanently installed outside the Shop.
6. Supervision, Project Review, Training, and Lone Work
The table below summarizes requirements for supervision, project review, training, and lone work when students use Risk Group 2-4 Tools outside of a Student-Access Shop:
| Student Type | Tool Risk Group | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| Undergraduate Student | Supervision Requirement | Lone Work Allowed | Requires Presence of Shop Supervisor or Monitor | Requires Presence of Shop Supervisor | |
| Requires Student Project/Activity Proposal | No | If applicable | If applicable | ||
| Training Required | No | Yes | Yes | ||
| Graduate Student | Supervision Requirement | Lone Work Allowed | Requires Machine Shop Partner System | Requires Machine Shop Partner System | |
| Requires Student Project/Activity Proposal | No | No | If applicable | ||
| Training Required | No | Yes | Yes | ||
Training: The Shop Supervisor or supervising faculty/staff member is responsible for training students on safe Tool use. Training must be documented.
Notes
1EHS will review submitted safety plans with the Shop Safety Committee for their comments and concurrence.