Safety Training

Overview

There are two components to our Basic Safety Training:

  1. Online: Read the materials on this page, watch a video, and take an online quiz.
  2. On-Site: In the space for which you are being certified.

The on-site training must occur after the successful completion of the online portion.

Safety certification requires that all users of the facility have knowledge of the following:

  • Learning Factory Safety Regulations
  • Location and use of the emergency power cut-off switches within the shop
  • Location of available telephones within the Learning Factory and the phone numbers of emergency services
  • Location of first aid resources within the Learning Factory
  • Location and use of fire extinguishers
  • Hot work, non-powered tools, PPE, and power hand tools

NOTE: Your training is associated with your Penn State ID. Each time you access the Learning Factory you will need to swipe your ID at the kiosk outside the door. If you don’t have your ID you will not be allowed access to the shop.

Online Training

Please review the following material closely. You are required to pass the associated quiz with a score of 100%! (Click on each section to expand the content.)

Safety Rules and Regulations

For everyone’s protection, the following safety regulations must be observed while in any Learning Factory space:

  • OSHA approved safety glasses or goggles must be worn in all areas of Learning Factory. Safety glasses must have wrap-around side shields. It is preferred that students provide their own glasses, although some are available for use while in the space. Cleaning them is your responsibility.
  • Only students who have completed both the online and on-site safety trainings are permitted to work in the shop.
  • Long pants, short sleeve shirts, and socks are required while in the shop area. Shorts, dresses, dangling or loose clothing will not be tolerated for safety reasons. Neckties must be removed.
  • Shoes must have closed toes, and cover the entire foot. Protective spats should be worn in the welding areas. Over-the-ankle work shoes with steel toes are strongly recommended.
    Long hair must be tied back so that it will not fall into a machine or your work area.
    All jewelry (rings, necklaces, bracelets, watches, etc.) must be removed.
  • Instruction manuals for all machines are available upon request. If you have any doubts or questions, ask for assistance before operating machines.
  • Please respect others in the lab. If a class is in session, do not use any loud machinery.
    Working alone is prohibited.
  • Do not attempt to repair or alter machines at any time. If there is a problem, notify shop personnel immediately and do not operate the machine.
  • Anyone working in an unsafe manner will be asked to leave immediately and their working privileges will be revoked.
  • It is strictly prohibited to be in the Learning Factory while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Anyone found in the facility under the influence will have his/her privileges permanently revoked.
  • Please respect and preserve the facility. Clean up your own mess and return tools to their proper place.
  • You may not make weapons in the shop.

Tool Checkout and Resource Clean-up Procedures

Many resources within the Learning Factory are equipped with a dedicated set of precision tools. Students are responsible for using these tools properly, cleaning them when done with their use, and returning them to the appropriate storage cabinet.

If tools are damaged during a session, students are to immediately report this to a Learning Factory representative.

Standard cutting tools (e.g., drill bits) are provided. Users are required to sharpen all tools after use. Machines are provided for sharpening of drill bits.

In the case of excessive breakage caused by improper usage (two or more broken items), users will be asked to replace the broken items.

To maintain a clean, safe working environment, it is a student’s responsibility to clean up their work area after completion of their session. Brooms, dustpans, and shop vacs are provided.

Materials

We attempt to provide everything that you need to complete your project in the Learning Factory. However, you may need to provide your own construction materials and supplies. Due to the generosity of Learning Factory donors, we have a limited supply of a variety of materials. They may vary in availability, quantity, and quality. If you can’t find something that you think we should stock, please tell a TA or Supervisor.

You are welcome to use Learning Factory materials for class and personal projects. However, you may not use Learning Factory materials to make anything that you plan to sell. The one exception to this rule is entrepreneurship courses. If you are enrolled in a Penn State entrepreneurship course you are allowed to make up to 20 of an item or consume up to $40 of materials, whichever results in the smallest number of items.

Some equipment–like some of the Advanced Additive machines and the water jet cutter–are not free. They are so expensive to run that we need a budget to charge. Talk to a shop supervisor or grad TA if you have questions.

Fees for Equipment Usage

There is no fee for using the machine tools (e.g., mill, lathe, saw, grinder, CNC mill), laser cutters, and hand tools. The inexpensive additive manufacturing machines (e.g., the Prusa Machines) are also available free-of-charge, although you must remain with the machine while it prints.

The other additive manufacturing machines and the water jet will be charged the replacement cost for all materials used and are detailed below. Full material replacement costs will be charged for research projects (graduate and undergraduate), clubs, faculty, and course development. Learning Factory-supported undergraduate engineering course projects will be charged at 50% of the replacement cost listed below.

FDM: Material replacement cost is $16 per cubic inch.

Polyjet: Material replacement cost is $1.20 per gram.

Water Jet: Material replacement cost is $8 per minute.

Safety Video and Quiz

Once you are familiar with the content above, please watch the video. After the video, you must agree to the terms of use for the Learning Factory and take the quiz. Note that you must score 100% on the quiz, so review the materials above and the video carefully!

 

I’m ready! Take me to the Video and Quiz

On-Site Training

To complete your on-site training you will participate in a scavenger hunt. It asks you to identify the location of specific devices in the space, including things like the fire extinguisher and the first aid kit. You will need your mobile phone and to be on-site at the Learning Factory.

Your on-site training must be conducted by a certified TA or other Learning Factory staff. The training takes place on-site and takes about 30 minutes. You must have completed the online training and be compliant with the other shop regulations (e.g., long pants, closed-toed shoes, etc.) when you arrive for your in-person portion.

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