Member Handbook

Welcome

A few sentences from the steering committee welcoming people to the makerspace. a statement of our purpose and guiding principles.

Structure of the Makerspace

Ipswich Makerspace is a Private Limited Company by guarantee. It was incorporated in July 2014

More details here about the different committees and their responsibilities

For full details please see the Ipswich Makerspace Operating model

Below is an overview of the Ipswich Makerspace 'Operating Model' It describes the interaction between the various groups, these being:

• Steering Committee
• Operating Committee
• Members

Please refer to Committee Responsibilities for detailed responsibilities.

Code Of Conduct

This code of conduct applies to your behaviour on all Ipswich Makerspace communication channels, and at any events that we run:

The Ipswich Makerspace is for adults. We therefore expect you to show respect for each other in everything you say and do. And we expect you to take responsibility for the consequences of your actions and words. Children are sometimes present at Makerspace events; it is particularly important that you model adult behaviour on those occasions.

Whenever you use any piece of Makerspace equipment, treat it with care, in accordance with any instructions you have received, and return it to its correct storage space before leaving the space. Report faults to any member of the Steering Committee.

People’s private lives are their own. Do not share details about others that they have not explicitly made public.

Although alcoholic drinks are allowed, you may not buy or sell alcoholic drinks on club premises. Persons who are obviously intoxicated will be asked to leave.

If you have any concerns about someone’s behaviour please speak to any member of the Steering Committee, or by emailing info@ipswichmakerspace.com

Rules

Rule Zero - Thou shalt not be aflame

A maker may not be on fire, cause a fellow maker to be on fire, or through inaction allow a fellow maker to be on fire.

Not just applicable to fire, this covers all forms of safety issues. We provide a range of PPE and it should be used when appropriate.

Some examples;

• If using a Dremel cutting/grinding disc, you should wear glasses as the disc can shatter at great speeds with no warning.
• When plugging your newly built BFG9000 into the mains for the first time, please ask someone to look over the circuit first, and use an RCD.
• If you see someone using equipment incorrectly or unsafely, advise them carefully, and ideally before an incident occurs.

Safety

Comply with the Health and Safety, Training and Tool Usage Policy. If you do not know how to use an unregulated tool you must ask for the assistance of someone who does.

Whilst not restricted, correct use of a chisel or soldering iron will save both you and the tool from injury - some of these tools are surprisingly expensive. There will usually be someone willing to teach you.

Members must not operate hazardous equipment while their judgement or reaction times are impaired.

Whether due to alcohol, drugs, or any other condition.

Report any issues with health and safety or emergency equipment to the keyholder ASAP.

Raise any serious concerns to the Committee directly.

Premises

If something is broken, fix it. If dirty, clean it. If misplaced, tidy it.

If you can't, then report it.

If doing something non-trivial to the space itself then ask a committee member first.

This includes making more holes in the walls!

Tidy Up.

Clear up after yourself; put projects away, return tools to the correct locations, clear up piles of sawdust, wash up. Help with the general tidying (eg the bins, hoovering, cleaning the Workshop etc. is greatly appreciated.

Legalities

Compliance with UK law is assumed at all times.

Drugs, illegal weapons manufacture etc will not be tolerated.

Children and other small animals are welcome in the Space, as long as their owner clears up afterwards.

Under 16s may not enter the space without a responsible adult. Said responsible adult assumes all responsibility for the actions and safety of said minor. Anyone 16 or over may become a member, but unsupervised access for 16 and 17 year olds is at the discretion of the Committee, following an informal chat with parents/guardians.

Large animals are welcome by prior arrangement only.

After the 2016 incident, the surviving committee members unanimously voted via show of applicable limbs that velociraptors are no longer allowed, even on leads.

Materials & Finance

Equipment should be treated with care and respect.

If a tool is damaged while you're using it, you must tell the keyholder. If you damage a tool due to misuse the Committee may ask you to contribute time or money towards its replacement or repair - especially if the cause was avoidable and covered by training or on the Wiki.

Pay for consumables used

Including laser materials, printer filament, and tuck.

General supplies are usable by all members, within reason.

If you use something try to replace it or donate similar to the stockpiles, or chuck some money in a donation bucket. If the last of a consumable is used (or is about to be) please replace it, or add it to the Replenishment_requests.

All waste must be disposed of correctly.

Check material safety datasheets if you are unsure (eg. do not just pour acetone down the drain).

This includes using the correct bins for recycling and general waste.

Break this rule on Pain of Steve. A&E have ceased to see the funny side of extracting teabags from various orifices.

Keep your membership up to date.

Rent doesn't pay itself.

Possessions

Members are allowed to store personal items in the space, but they must be kept in your labelled box.

Empty boxes may be recycled for other members if needed. Sometimes more items (or larger items) may be allowed, but please note that space is limited. Bear in mind this is a public building and we cannot accept liability for articles left.

When donating items, consider carefully its true usefulness.

Disposal requires effort and space is limited. Seek permission for large items.

Don't remove anything from the Space which you didn't bring or make yourself.

Other than rubbish!

Items left on desk surfaces may be moved or disposed of.

Desk space is at a premium - be aware of this.

Health and Safety

Statement of intent

It is the general policy of Ipswich Makerspace to provide adequate control of the health and safety risks arising from our activities:

• We will provide, maintain and oversee safe and healthy working conditions, equipment and systems of work for all members and visitors
• We will provide such information and supervision as is needed for this purpose
• We will implement suitable emergency procedures in case of fire or other significant incident
• We will ensure safe handling and use of hazardous substances, in line with COSSH regulations
• We will hold Public Liability Insurance

This policy will be reviewed and revised as necessary, no less than annually.

Responsibility

Overall and final responsibility for upholding the health and safety policy and carrying out any required risk assessments at events and activities organised by the Ipswich Makerspace lies with the Steering Committee. This responsibility may be delegated to a named volunteer for events or activities as deemed appropriate.

All members have a duty to:

• co-operate with the Steering Committee on health and safety matters
• not interfere with anything provided to safeguard their health and safety
• take reasonable care of their own and others’ health and safety
• use equipment correctly in accordance with instructions
• only operate machines and equipment upon which they have been trained
• report all health and safety concerns to an appropriate person.

Risk assessment

• General Risk assessments of our permanent venue will be will be put in place and reviewed annually by the Steering Committee. Responsibility for observing the mitigation measures detailed in the risk assessment lies with all members.
• Risk assessments for one-off events or activities will be carried out by the member who is planning that activity. That member is responsible for liaising with the volunteer in charge (may be the same person) to ensure hazards are dealt with as outlined in the risk assessment. This assessment does not have to be formal in nature, although significant hazards should be recorded on a written assessment; an appraisal of likely hazards and ways to mitigate them is all that will usually be required.

First aid and accidents

• A First Aid Box (including eye-wash facilities) will be permanently located in the space, along with other personal protection equipment (goggles, ear-defenders, etc). The Committee are responsible for checking the contents every quarter.
• All accidents are to be recorded in the Accident Book - the book is located by the first aid box inside the kitchen, completed records shall be kept locked away to comply with data regulations.

Fire

• Suitable fire extinguishers will be located at key locations around the Space, easily accessible near potential hazards and highlighted on the fire plans located around the space.
• A fire blanket will be present in the kitchen.
• Fire extinguishers will be inspected annually and serviced as appropriate
• Escape routes shall be well signed and kept clear at all times

Regulated and unregulated equipment

Some of the equipment is valuable, sensitive and/or dangerous (e.g. 3D printers, laser cutter, workshop power tools), and needs some measure of training to use safely and without causing damage to persons or property.  These items are to be indicated as such via red tape on the handles (or by the power buttons), differentiating them from all the minor tools (e.g. pliers, soldering iron).

• Unregulated equipment can be used by anyone, subject to:
  • Be sensible; ask if you don’t know what you’re doing
  • You accept liability for any accidents (including damage to the equipment)
• Regulated tools are only to be used by members, and only once they’ve had an induction from an appropriately skilled existing member, as per the training policy:
  • Consult the tool chart in that room to find members who can provide training - please contact them to arrange an induction
  • Once the induction is complete, you will need to self-certify that you feel competent to use the equipment - if you don’t feel competent, don’t use it!  
  • Some of the members may be able to provide additional guidance or support - contact them directly
  • The tool charts will be updated on a regular basis

Reasonable level of risk

We will take steps to avoid unnecessary risk and very high levels of risk. However, some activities inherently involve some risk. Learning about, and employing, risk management is a necessary part of “making”. We therefore aim to protect our members from unnecessary and high risk, and provide guidance and support to help members manage risk for themselves.

Training

information about training on tools and equipment. link to training policy

Fees and Payments

Details about when and how fees should be paid. Also include information on donations and founders bonds

Access and Security

key holder policy, what to do if you loose a key. parking

Web and Email Communication

information about wiki, facebook and mailing list.

Storage

Keiths storage policy

Children and Guests

our policy about bringing guests and children into the space

Intellectual Property

Ipswich Makerspace thrives on the interaction of its Members. The free exchange of ideas, improvements, techniques, and processes is a fundamental benefit of the Ipswich Makerspace community. Protection of intellectual property rights (of our members, of our community, and of other persons) is also an important feature of any operation. Each member understands that it is his/her own decision whether to divulge any information regarding a member’s ideas, designs, processes, and the like and that each member does so, or does not do so, voluntarily. Each member is responsible for the protection of their own intellectual property of whatever nature, and each member agrees that Ipswich Makerspace has no responsibility to protect any members’ intellectual property and no liability with respect to any member’s intellectual property.

Each member agrees that while at Ipswich Makerspace or using any of Ipswich Makerspace’s resources they will not knowingly infringe any intellectual property rights of another member or any third party, and if advised that any member activity does infringe any such rights the member will immediately cease the infringing activity. No equipment, space, computers, or other resources of Ipswich Makerspace will be used in any way to infringe the intellectual property rights of others (including, specifically, the counterfeiting or duplication of any third-party’s products or designs).

Appendicies

constitution others?