Equipment Safety & Clearance Policy

Your safety, and the safety of everyone in the space, matters. To ensure everyone can work confidently and responsibly, all equipment in the makerspace requires clearance before use.

Clearance means you’ve been trained, tested, or approved to safely operate a specific piece of equipment. A visible clearance badge must be worn at all times so members and staff can quickly see what tools you’re cleared to use.

How to Get Cleared on Equipment

Take A Class

Most classes automatically include clearance for the equipment used in that course.

  • If you complete the class and demonstrate safe use, you’ll be cleared for the specific equipment used in class.

  • Your clearance will be recorded in our system.

  • Not all classes include clearance — this will be clearly stated in the class description.

Pass a Skills Check

Already experienced? You can request a skills check.

  • A staff member or instructor will review safe operation, setup, and shutdown.

  • You must demonstrate proper use and understanding of shop rules.

  • If approved, clearance is granted without taking the class.

Skills checks will be performed by appointment. A clearance appointment may include a fee, and can include testing on multiple pieces of equipment, depending on the equipment complexity.

Clearance Visibility

Your clearance will be shown with a badge that must be visible at all times while using the workshop.

Using equipment without the proper clearance is not allowed — this protects you, other members, the equipment, and the long-term health of the shop. If you are found to be using equipment that you are not cleared on, you may lose access to the tools, the shop, or the makerspace.

Important Notes

  • Clearance is tool-specific, not just space-wide.

  • Clearance can be revoked if equipment is used unsafely.

  • Some equipment may require refresher training after long periods of inactivity.

  • Staff may always step in to pause use if something looks unsafe — this is about support, not punishment.

Our Shared Responsibility

This makerspace is a community. Being cleared on equipment means:

  • You understand the risks

  • You respect the tools

  • You look out for yourself and others'

When in doubt, ask. We’re here to help you make, safely.