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-<!DOCTYPE markdown> 
-Introduction 
-============ 
  
-Glasgow Hackerspace has a duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of 
-individuals who use our facilities. A diverse range of activities take place 
-at the Hackerspace and this policy is intended to provide guidance to ensure that 
-these activities are carried out safely and without undue restriction. 
- 
-Obligations of Directors 
-======================== 
- 
-Directors have final responsibility for health and safety. They may share this 
-responsibility by delegating some tasks. 
- 
-Directors and any persons they delegate to do so are responsible for ensuring 
-that: 
- 
-* The Health and Safety Policy is up to date and complies with current 
-  legislation 
-* Adequate risk assessments have been carried out for Hackerspace activities 
-  and risks suitably mitigated 
-* Accidents, incidents and near misses are logged, reported where legally 
-  required and analysed to prevent further occurrence 
-* The Health and Safety Policy is complied with by users of the Hackerspace 
- 
-Obligations of Members and Visitors 
-=================================== 
- 
-All users of the Hackerspace must exercise personal responsibility and care in the 
-prevention of injury or ill health to themselves or others.  Members are also 
-responsible for supervising all activities of visitors including members of the 
-public. 
- 
-Hackerspace users: 
- 
-* Must comply with Health and Safety policies and any training relevant to their use of the Hackerspace 
-* Must use any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided 
-* Must not interfere with or misuse equipment or anything provided in the 
-  interests of Health and Safety 
-* Must only use equipment which they are competent to use including training 
-  or induction 
- 
-Members must also report: 
- 
-* All accidents, incidents and near-misses to the directors 
-* Damage to equipment to the directors immediately and ensure equipment is 
-  taken out of use and adequately labelled 
-* Any proposed new activities that fall outside existing policy or procedures 
-  to the directors so that adequate risk assessment may be carried out (e.g. 
-  when adding to the electronics workbench area) 
- 
-General Arrangements 
-==================== 
- 
-Accidents, incidents, dangerous occurrences and occupational ill health 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
- 
-All accidents, instances of occupational ill health, fires and dangerous 
-occurrences including near misses must be reported to the directors as soon as 
-possible after the incident has occurred, and in any case within seven days, so 
-that the requirements of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous 
-Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) may be met. No accident should be considered 
-too trivial to report. 
- 
-All accidents will be reviewed by the directors so that steps may be taken to 
-prevent future occurrence. 
- 
-Buildings and Access 
--------------------- 
- 
-Access to the Hackerspace is provided 24 hours a day throughout the year on an 
-access control system. Access is only available to Hackerspace Members and visitors 
-including members of the public on open nights must be supervised, particularly 
-when using the individual workshops. Rooms should be locked when not in use to 
-prevent unauthorised access. 
- 
-Additional risks apply outside normal business hours. Make sure to read the Lone Working Policy, and to have a working mobile phone and a note of telephone numbers for Wasps South Block. These numbers are also posted by the door to the Hackerspace. 
- 
-Lone working may also be relevant at any time when the Hackerspace is quiet and should 
-be considered when working alone the unit.  
- 
-Fire Safety 
------------ 
- 
-Fire safety is the responsibility of Wasps South Block and information about fire escape routes are adjacent to the unit entrance. 
- 
-Any fire in the Hackerspace space must be reported as an accident report to the 
-directors. 
- 
-Fire safety must be considered in the risk assessment of all processes and 
-activities. 
- 
-Fire Safety Housekeeping 
------------------------- 
- 
-* All fire escape stairways and corridors must be kept free of rubbish or any item that might impede the possibility of escape. 
-* Fire doors must not be propped open or left open. 
-* Fire doors must not be obstructed and must be fully accessible at all times. 
-* Any fire doors appearing to be damaged or not working properly must be reported immediately to the directors who will contact South Block maintenance or Lettings Manager. 
-* Work areas should be kept clear of dust and rubbish 
-* Flammable materials must be disposed of carefully following COSHH guidance where appropriate 
-* No fire fighting equipment must be used for any other purpose that that to which it is intended. 
-* Fire fighting equipment must not be removed from the fire stations other than for the purpose of training, safety checking or fire fighting. 
- 
-Fire Emergency Procedure 
------------------------- 
- 
-* If you discover a fire, sound the alarm immediately using the nearest call point. 
-* Only fight a fire if you are trained and it is safe to do so. 
-* On hearing the continuous ringing of the electronic sounder fire alarm, all residents and their guests must evacuate the building by the nearest exit. 
-* Without endangering themselves or others 
-  * Turn off any electronics workbench equipment in use (soldering irons, hot air stations and scopes). Ensure projects are in a safe state. 
-  * Close the windows and doors of their offices and studios and any other fire doors they pass through whilst evacuating the building. 
-* During an evacuation, behave in a calm and responsible manner. 
-* Lifts must NOT be used in the case of fire. 
-* Members and visitors should meet at the Assembly Point and await further instruction from the fire officer.  Assembly Point: OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD (corner of King St car park and Osborne St) 
-* Report any risks within the Hackerspace space to the fire officer (e.g. if chemicals are in use) so they may inform the fire brigade 
-* Members and visitors should not re-enter the building until it has been deemed safe to do by the fire officer. 
- 
-Fire Drills 
------------ 
- 
-Fire drills may occur from time to time and will be organised by Wasps South Block. 
- 
-Disabled People 
---------------- 
- 
-Any person disclosing a relevant disability to the Hackerspace Directors that may 
-affect their egress in the event of a fire alarm will need individual 
-consideration. The directors will liaise with Wasps South Block to risk 
-assess and define a personal emergency action plan. 
- 
-First Aid 
---------- 
- 
-First aid boxes are provided and stocked based on evaluation of the risks and 
-types of injuries associated with the activities within the Hackerspace. 
- 
-The Hackerspace does not provide trained first aiders due to the nature of the 
-organisation however members are encouraged to learn first aid from a provider 
-such as the British Red Cross or St Andrews First Aid. 
- 
-If a Hackerspace user falls ill or is injured, members should offer assistance if 
-they are able and it is safe to do so. During office hours, Wasps South Block front desk 
-may be able to offer assistance. 
- 
-In an emergency, call 999 for help. The Hackerspace address is 
-Studio 221 60-64, Osborne Street, Glasgow, Scotland, G1 5QH. 
- 
-All injuries and accidents must be reported to the directors. Any injury caused 
-by faulty equipment or chemicals should be reported immediately so it may be 
-made safe for others. 
- 
- 
-Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)  
------------------------------------ 
- 
-Personal protective equipment includes, but is not restricted to, the following; 
- 
-* Safety eye wear, including safety spectacles, goggles and visors 
-* Gloves or other hand protection 
-* Protective coveralls 
-* Respiratory protective equipment 
-* Hearing protection 
- 
-Where PPE has been provided for a task, it must be worn by the user. 
- 
-Workshop areas may require a minimum standard of PPE for entry as the 
-activities carried out by members may present risks to other users of the space 
-(e.g. generation of particles or noise). 
- 
-PPE requirements are assessed through risk assessment of Hackerspace activities. 
-Every effort should be made either to eliminate the process giving rise to the 
-hazard or to reorganise the operation so that the hazard is controlled at 
-source. Where this is not possible, personal protective equipment should be 
-issued only after it has been evaluated as being suitable for protecting 
-against that hazard. 
- 
-Manual Handling 
---------------- 
- 
-All significant manual handling tasks must be risk assessed prior to 
-undertaking the task. Manual handling should be avoided wherever possible by 
-the introduction of mechanisation or manual handling equipment. 
- 
-Housekeeping 
------------- 
- 
-A major cause of accidents in general is poor housekeeping. 
- 
-Apparatus and other materials which are not immediately required should always 
-be returned to a safe storage place, and unwanted materials, particularly 
-combustible and flammable items, should be disposed of safely and promptly. 
- 
-Any spillages must be cleaned up immediately by a person who fully appreciates 
-the special hazards which the spilled material may possess. 
- 
-Gas, water and electricity, and any piped gas or liquid, supplies should always 
-be turned off when not required, and especially when the Hackerspace is closed. 
- 
-Food and Drink 
--------------- 
- 
-Food and drink should only be consumed in the kitchen and social area of the 
-Hackerspace. 
- 
-Hands must be washed thoroughly before consuming food and drink, particularly 
-if chemicals have been used or solder or electronics have been handled. 
- 
-Alcohol and Drugs 
------------------ 
- 
-The use of alcohol, prescription medications and illegal drugs may impair the 
-ability to safely use Hackerspace facilities. 
- 
-No machinery or dangerous activities should be carried out if your ability is 
-impaired through the use of alcohol or drugs. 
- 
-Intoxicated persons may be asked to leave the premises to protect the safety of 
-others. 
- 
-The Hackerspace is a non-smoking premises which includes the use of e-cigarettes 
-and vapes. 
- 
-Risk Assessment 
-=============== 
- 
-The Hackerspace operates on the basis of identifying the risks associated with 
-activities and ensuring they are reduced to a minimum level. The directors are 
-ultimately responsible for ensuring the risk assessments of significant 
-activities are completed and regularly reviewed. 
- 
-A written risk assessment records the significant hazards, the risks arising 
-therefrom, the system of work and control measures to be followed and the 
-persons at risk. Particular attention should be paid to any risks which might 
-be encountered by vulnerable workers such as pregnant women, young and/or 
-inexperienced workers, particularly students, or those who may work alone. The 
-level of detail in a written risk assessment should be in proportion to the 
-risks and the complexities of each case. 
- 
-Dynamic Risk assessment and Safety Culture 
------------------------------------------- 
- 
-Whilst risk assessments are carried out for many activities, members should 
-adopt a culture of safe working practices and dynamically assess the risks of 
-any work they do before carrying out the activity. 
- 
-Members should consider the hazards involved, their likelihood and if there is 
-a safer way they can do something. They should also consider if their activity 
-puts at risk any other members and how they can protect their safety. 
health-and-safety.1750531966.txt.gz · Last modified: 2025/06/21 18:52 by mkukri