WHS Guidebook

In accordance with Australia WHS laws, Makerspace Adelaide’s primary duty regarding volunteers, patrons and members of the public is to ensure as far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all on-site. This protection covers the physical safety and mental health of all persons using the space. The primary duty of an organisation includes ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable:

• The provision and maintenance of a work environment without risks to health and safety
• The provision and maintenance of safe plant and structures and safe systems of work
• The safe use, handling and storage of plant, structures and substances
• The provision of adequate facilities for the welfare at work; for example, toilets, first aid facilities, etc
• The provision of information, training and instruction or supervision that is necessary to protect all persons from risks to their health and safety arising from their work.

Managing health and safety risks is also an important factor for all, especially volunteers who are in a supervisory role. The process of eliminating or minimising health and safety risks is called risk management and involves four steps:

1. Identifying hazards – find out what could cause harm
2. Assess the risks if necessary – understand the nature of the harm that could be caused by the hazard, how serious the harm could be and the likelihood of it happening
3. Control risks – implement the most effective control measure that is reasonably practicable in the circumstances, and
4. Review control measures – to ensure they are working as planned.

If any identification of hazards occurs, they must immediately be brought to the attention of the appropriate volunteers. Below is the reporting structure for WHS hazards:

Workshop Supervisors are inducted with the knowledge of the Lockout Procedure on-site. Thus, they can lockout any equipment or infrastructure deemed a hazard. They must then report the hazard to the Site Manager and WHS officer who are the only personnel allowed to re-activate any locked out equipment or infrastructure.

To try and maintain a safe working environment, the WHS Officer and Site Manager will hold “toolbox talks” with select volunteers, where discussion of working areas will take place revolving around relevant health and safety topics.

All participants who undertake any work or organised Makerspace Adelaide activity within the Makerspace Adelaide premises are required to agree to these terms and conditions.

In particular you must:

• Unordered List ItemAct to avoid, eliminate or minimise hazards of which you become aware
• Unordered List ItemComply with all Work Health Safety (WHS) instructions that are presented to you including posted machine instructions and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), safety manuals, material safety data sheets (SDSs) and building and emergency procedures. This includes verbal instructions by Makerspace Adelaide staff and emergency wardens.
• Make proper use of all safety devices and protective equipment.
• Not wilfully place in jeopardy the health and safety of others.
• Seek information and guidance before carrying out new or unfamiliar work and maintain appropriate dress standards for the work being done.
• Familiarise yourself with the building emergency and evacuation procedures, the appropriately trained personnel and the location of emergency equipment.
• Report all OH&S-related or other abnormal incidents to Makerspace Adelaide staff that occur – including “near misses”.

• Adopt a professional attitude for workshop-based activities and remain conscious of potential hazards at all times.
• Enclosed shoes must be worn at Makerspace Adelaide
• Wear appropriate clothing and any necessary hearing and eye protection for the task being performed – including work performed by others in your vicinity.
• Never run or engage in any reckless behaviour
• Smoking is prohibited within the entire building and near the doors
• Working alone is prohibited at Makerspace Adelaide.
• Regard all substances as hazardous unless there is definite information to the contrary.
• Keep all escape routes and access to emergency equipment clear at all times.
• Report to a Makerspace Adelaide staff member any emergency equipment faults or maintenance issues.

• Signed and mounted on the wall near the front desk in entry area.
• Signed and located in the kitchen area (left hand cupboard of food prep area).
• Small kit in the DigiFab area located top shelf of cupboard on easten wall.
• Large mounted First Aid cabinet Southern Wall of Workshop area.

A:B(E) Powder Extinguishers:

• Front Area near office - Eastern Wall mounted
• Flexible Learning space (Classroom) - Northern Wall mounted
• Workshop area - Southern Wall mounted near first aid cabinet
• Workshop area - Eastern Wall mounted near fire exit
• Shared Kitchen area - Southern Wall mounted

CO2 Extinguisher (Laser Cutter specific):

• DigiLab area - Western Wall

1. Water Hose & Reel Extinguisher:

• DigiLab area - Western Wall
• Workshop Area - Eastern Wall near fire exit

• Kitchen area - mounted Southern Wall
• Metal working area - Mounted on Welding Bay Wall

• Pathways are to be kept clear at all times.
• Floors are to be kept clean, dry and free of debris.
• Benches are to be kept clean and free from chemicals and apparatus not being used
• Material used for – and left over from – projects being worked on are to be dealt with appropriately, either into the corresponding bin/s or placed into the scraps bin for re-use. Only place usable scraps in the scrap bin.

For procedures and guides in regards to WHS, please refer to the links below:

Isolation & Lockout Procedure - Reference for correct isolation and lockout procedure.

Incident Reaction Procedure - Reference for correct approach for dealing and documenting hazards and incidents on-site.