COVID Safety Guidelines for Shared Workshops
Several weeks ago, I put out a call in my weekly maker tips newsletter, Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales. A friend who works in a shared workshop was being called back to the job and he was curious to know what sorts of safety guidelines other shared shops were implementing. So, I asked my readers.
One respondent, Jeff Powers, works in a architectural modeling shop in London. He submitted this list of their COVID-era shop practices. I thought it was useful enough to also share here on Boing Boing.
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We are an architectural workshop/model shop in London and have a similar issue. We luckily have multiple workshop spaces (2 workshops, separate computer areas, a 3D print room, and CNC room). While some of the solutions are specific to our situation, hopefully some of them can help others.
1. Realisation by the team that the workshop is always an inherently risky place, and we should be used to taking precautions when we work anyway. From cleanliness, safe operation, and use of PPE, these habits just become slightly modified for COVID. Taking care and extra time before beginning a task and after it ends - to assess risk, cleanliness etc - is all the more important now, but should not significantly change any workflows. Safe operation is especially important during these times, you never want to go to the hospital with a workshop injury, but especially during these times, extra care should be observed so we don't put any more unnecessary strain on the health care system.
2. We already use dust masks, nitrile gloves, and have very good mechanical workshop ventilation. We now just wear the PPE more, and all of the extraction is on all the time. And we have proper waste disposal for gloves. You can find services that recycle them properly.
3.On ventilation, here in the UK, we need to test it yearly, both local ventilation and the whole room. I would suggest any shop that can't open windows for airflow, check their ventilation spec and cross reference against their gov't authority recommendations. As in the case of all things COVID right now, we are cross-referencing with multiple gov't guidance - as everyone is suggesting different requirements. We check UK, EU, US, CAN guidance, and ensure we are compliant with our local recommendations - but push for a higher level if possible.
4.We love the 3M respirators. We use them as we frequently paint in a spray room all day. Filters sold separately.
3M 7500 Silicone Half-Face Respirator Mask
3M 6000 Series Full Face Mask Respirators - I really prefer this one for all-day use. Its fairly light and comfortable for what it is, and has built-in eye protection.
5.We have found dust masks with air ventilators to reduce sweating and condensation. They are USB-chargeable and last a few hours before needing recharge. They are great for wearing lighter dust mask - and keeping your face cool(er).
6. Mounted glove/wipe stations - using these racks in entry/exit and near key tool areas.
3-Tiered Rack: you want ones that hold each box separately, not stacked on top of each other. The racks make it much easier to grab gloves without fiddling with a box, and we can fit a box/package of disposable wipes in one of the box locations.
7. Where 2m distancing not possible - masks on.
8. Shared tools (fixed machines) - Disinfectant wipes are now located next to all fixed machines. Buttons, switches, and surfaces get a wipe before and after use.
9. Shared tools (larger hand power tools) - Disinfecting wipes again. We store them in Festool boxes - and wipes go in each box with the tool.
10. Shared tools (smaller) - For tools that are inexpensive and in multiples, every maker gets their own . For anything else: cleaned down , wiped, and put into a beauticians UV steriliser after use. We also have a Form 3 Cure that we use in a similar way, but it is not rated for it, and we don't completely trust it. All tools left out go in the sterilizer at the end of the day.
11. Shared keyboards (laser cutters, 3D printers etc) - Wipe before and after each use. Change usage habits . We used to use them by just hopping on and off as needed. But now it means a few people on the laser stations for longer times doing whole cut lists. We are looking at using keyboard covers and washing them during the day, but haven't tested it completely.
12. Replacing any button that we can with a brass/copper pad/tape. The virus lasts less time on it than plastic or steel. Check if viable with electrical safety.
13. Shop sinks - Use it more frequently. And not just for pouring your tea down. And no eating in the workshop. Moisturiser is now just as important as soap and sanitizer!
14. Tables, Handles, Drawers etc. - Wipe down before use and at the end of day.
15. Workplace culture and support - Everyone is itching to be making and working - that's what we love. But also, making sure people feel comfortable to speak up if they feel unwell or unsafe. We have a mutual stop work policy so that we all feel comfortable to stop our own work or someone else's if we feel it's unsafe or could be done better.
Also, if team discussions/meetings need to take place, they are limited to small groups, or outside, and kept short.
16. Outside of the workshop - In preparing the safety of our workshop, we realised that other areas/activities of the workplace are WAY riskier than the workshop for COVID. We are in central London, so most people take public transit to work. Kitchens and shared bathrooms are also high-risk vectors. These areas should be considered in the same way as workshop safety.