MakerSpace Guidelines and Policies

The below outlines the guidelines and policies for using the MakerSpace:

Eligibility and Access

Stevens undergraduates, graduate students, faculty and staff, part-time and full-time, are eligible for membership at the MakerSpace. All users must agree to the MakerSpace code of conduct. Only MakerSpace staff and members are permitted in the space, unless accompanied by MakerSpace staff.

  • The MakerSpace door shall only be locked and unlocked by MakerSpace staff.

  • Guests entering the MakerSpace must check in at front desk.

  • Access to the MakerSpace may be revoked at any time at the discretion of MakerSpace personnel.

Safety and Behavior

If someone is seriously injured in the MakerSpace beyond what is manageable by simple first aid:

  • Call campus Police at 201-216-5105 or 911 from any phone.

  • Alert MakerSpace staff.

  • Provide assistance to the injured party until the emergency response team arrives.

  • Alert the MakerSpace director immediately following a health/safety incident so that an incident report can be filed.

Incident Reports

All health and or safety incidents that occur within the MakerSpace must be documented using the appropriate form.

  • All members must ensure that others remain safe in the MakerSpace at all times.

  • If you see a member doing something unsafe, alert and assist them.

  • If you see a potential safety hazard, alert MakerSpace staff and members who are in the immediate vicinity.

  • When new chemicals/substances are introduced to the MakerSpace, members must alert MakerSpace staff and provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals/substances.

Waste Material Storage & Removal

  • Waste containers are to be kept in locked cage near loading dock at all times.

  • Waste container removal must be performed by Stevens EHS only, in accordance with EHS rules.

  • The use of the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is restricted to trained MakerSpace staff.

Proper Attire

No loose fitting clothing or jewelry shall be worn when operating machinery or powered hand tools. Open-toed footwear is prohibited in the MakerSpace at all times. Clothing should be workplace appropriate. Long hair must be tied up and kept out of the way of machinery. Beards must also be kept secured.

Proper Behavior

Members are to remain “present." Only operate machinery when focused. Do not operate machinery under the influence of debilitating medications or under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

  • Avoid all distractions while operating machinery.

  • Members should keep work areas as clean as possible before, during and after use, as cluttered or dirty work areas can cause accidents.

  • Food and drink is prohibited from the MakerSpace work areas.

  • Listening to music via headphones is prohibited if it prevents a member from remaining aware of their environment.

  • If a member is questioning the safety of the activity they are about to perform, they should immediately stop said activity. Members should seek help/guidance from a trained MakerSpace staff member before they continue.

  • Members are not permitted to block fire exits or safety and first aid equipment.

  • Keyed access doors must not be propped open unless done so by MakerSpace staff.

  • Members must respect the safety of other members while in the MakerSpace, as well as their own safety.

Use of Tools and Machinery

  • Members should only use the tool appropriate for the job they are doing. 

  • Only trained and authorized members are permitted to operate machinery and/or hand tools. Click here for training information.

    • Members are considered “trained” once they have completed all necessary MakerSpace provided training sessions. This may include lectures and hands- on training sessions. Attendance for these sessions will be documented by MakerSpace staff and/or trainer.

    • Members are considered “authorized” once they have successfully “passed” both the written and hands-on tests that are administered after the final training session. The criteria for “passing” will be determined by MakerSpace staff. Members may need to periodically become re-authorized on certain machinery. 

  • Members should consult staff and more experienced members before using complex, expensive or dangerous hand tools for the first time.

  • Members must return machinery and hand tools to their default positions or proper storage locations when they are finished working.

  • If machinery use requires keys to access equipment/supplies, members will be granted access to keys once they have been trained and authorized to operate the respective equipment.

  • Members must never leave running machinery unattended.

  • Machinery should never be tampered with, unless the modification of said machinery is within normal operating parameters.

Control Banding

Information on the MakerSpace Hazard Class equipment classification system and associated training and supervision requirements can be found here.

HAZARD CLASS 1

  • Hazards: Minor injuries that can be resolved with first aid kit or ice pack

  • Power: Less than 0.25 HP, 2-4 amps, 120 VAC or up to 18V DC. Examples: Lower power hand tools and small bench tools. Drills, glue guns, soldering tools, heat guns, 3D printers, 3D scanner.

  • Safe Use: Members must attend training session and pass written and hands-on exams. Improper use will be punished with verbal warning.

HAZARD CLASS 2

  • Hazards: Minor injuries that can be resolved with first aid kit or ice pack, but potentially requiring additional medical assistance.

  • Power: 0.25-0.5 HP, less than 10 amps, 120 VAC, 18-24V DC, specialized/enclosed CNC machines. Examples: Low to medium power tools. Mid-range powered hand tools, laser cutters, self-standing manual tools (arbor press), low powered CNC mills, routers and lathes (interlocked/enclosed), thermal formers.

HAZARD CLASS 3

  • Hazards: Minor injuries that can be resolved with first aid kit or ice pack, but potential for serious lacerations and minor amputations that require medical attention.

  • Power: Greater than 0.5 HP, greater than 10 amp, 120 VAC, greater than 24V DC. Examples: Powerful portable tools and light industrial tools, 3D printers/processes with toxic/corrosive wash steps, CNC interlocked/enclosed mill, lathe, waterjet.

HAZARD CLASS 4

  • Hazards: Same as above, but potential for serious amputations and life- threatening injuries.

  • Power: Same as above, but self-standing and 3 phase power. Examples: Power actuated tools, table saws, manual mills and lathes.

  • Operation of all classes of machinery will require a training lecture and a hands-on walkthrough of equipment.

  • Operation of class 4 machinery will require the supervision of a designated supervisor at all times.

  • Supervisor must be in the immediate vicinity of machinery (ie. designated machining area).

Rule and Policy Enforcement

All rules shall be enforced by all MakerSpace staff. The following of rules should be encouraged by all MakerSpace members and all members must follow all Stevens and MakerSpace rules.

Rule Violations

Rules are considered “violated” when the action in question is easily/reasonably avoidable. Documentation will be kept for the offense.

  • First offense:

     Member will receive a verbal warning from staff and will be provided with a review of relevant safety measures

  • Second offense:

     Member will receive a week-long ban from the MakerSpace

  • Third offense:

     Member will receive a semester-long ban from the MakerSpace

What Can I Make and What Can I Do With It?

The MakerSpace is designed for students, faculty, and staff to make and build a variety of projects, we encourage the making of items for:

  • Stevens coursework

  • Stevens student team/group projects

  • Research projects

Use of the MakerSpace to produce or make any of the following items is strictly prohibited:

  • Weapons of any kind

  • Drug paraphernalia

  • Commercial products or any items that will be sold

Special cases may exist and can be petitioned for anything that makes other members feel unsafe or uncomfortable

Intellectual Property Policy

Students working in the MakerSpace on self-initiated projects, self-initiated inventions, or undergraduate course work, retain all intellectual property associated with the project or invention. The intellectual property rights for projects built for a faculty member, as part of sponsored research, or as part of the activities of a research lab, are governed by the intellectual property regulations pertinent to the research lab, grant, or project sponsor.