Glasgow Hackerspace

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# Glasgow Hackerspace Risk Assessment

## Soldering/Desoldering Using Soldering Iron and Hot Air Station
|**What are the hazards?**|**Who might be harmed and how?**|**What are you already doing?**|**Do you need anything else to control this risk?**|**Action by who?**|**Action by when?**|**Done**|
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|Burns from soldering tools, eye injury from molten solder|Soldering tool users. The soldering iron tip temperarture can exceed 400C, risking serious burns on to the user  on contact. | Hold the tool only by the handle, never touch the tip when powered on or while cooling after use. Switch off and allow to cool after use or before before changing tips or heads. Place the iron/rework tool in the stand when not in use. Do not attempt to catch a dropped iron, allow it to fall. Wear eye protection.|No (10/06/2025)|-|-|-|
|Fumes from soldering| Users of the space. The flux in electronic solder emits fumes during soldering, causing respiratory hazard to the user and others in the vicinity. |Use the fume extractor, placed close to the workpiece, to draw away and filter fumes. Windows can be opened for ventilation.|No (10/06/2025)|-|-|-|
|Solders containing lead|Soldering tool users. Leaded solder is commonly found in older electronic equipment. Risk of toxicity to user working on equipment containing leaded solder.| Wash hands after soldering electronics which may contain leadeed solder. Avoid eating or drinking while soldering|No (10/06/2025)|-|-|-|
|Fire risk|Users of the space| Electronics area is kept clear of clutter and flammable materials, including isopropyl alcohol are kept well away from the soldering area. The soldering iron/rework tool is replaced in the appropriate holder when not in immediate use.|No (10/06/2025)|-|-|-|

## Battery Charging and Storage
|**What are the hazards?**|**Who might be harmed and how?**|**What are you already doing?**|**Do you need anything else to control this risk?**|**Action by who?**|**Action by when?**|**Done**|
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|Risk of fire due to incorrect charging/discharging/storage|People charging batteries, other users of the space|Inspect batteries and chargers for defects before use. Batteries must only be charged using a charger designed specifically for the battery type/chemistry. Bench power supply should not be used for battery charging. Lithium-chemistry batteries should be stored in an insulated/fire-resistant bag/box when not in use. Other battery tyes stored in electrically insulated container when not in use.|No (10/06/2025)|-|-|-|



## Bench Power Supply
|**What are the hazards?**|**Who might be harmed and how?**|**What are you already doing?**|**Do you need anything else to control this risk?**|**Action by who?**|**Action by when?**|**Done**|
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|Fire|Space users|The bench power supply can deliver up to 75W. Avoid connecting low-resistance loads which can draw sufficient current to overheat. Use the current limit where possible. Always turn off the power supply after use or when unattended. |No (10/06/2025)|-|-|-|


## Repair and Testing of Electronic Equipment
|**What are the hazards?**|**Who might be harmed and how?**|**What are you already doing?**|**Do you need anything else to control this risk?**|**Action by who?**|**Action by when?**|**Done**|
|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|
|Exposed circuitry or wiring carrying in excess of 50V carries an electrocution risk | Space users |Any work involving exposed circuitry carrying in excess of 50V must be covered by a specific risk assessment |No (10/06/2025)|-|-|-|
| A source of electricity that can produce large current under fault conditions may start fire. | Space users.  | Keep work area tidy. Take care to avoid short circuits. Use a fused or preferrably current-limited power supply during testing. Batteries must be fuse-protected. | No (10/06/2025)|-|-|-|


## Use of Solvents
|**What are the hazards?**|**Who might be harmed and how?**|**What are you already doing?**|**Do you need anything else to control this risk?**|**Action by who?**|**Action by when?**|**Done**|
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| Fire             | Space users                  | Solvents stored and used away from sources of heat/ignition, in a metal filing cabinet. The building floor has a COSSH cabinet located by the large sink in the area to the left of the space entrance going out. | No (04/09/2025)                      |                | -                |
| Harm to skin, ingestion       | Solvent users | Wear gloves when handling  solvents |   No (10/06/2025)|-|-|-|
| Harmful fumes         | Space users | Risk is mitigated by using the windows in the space. | No (10/06/2025)|-|-|-|


## Use of Power Tools, Including Saws, Drills and Grinders.

|**What are the hazards?**|**Who might be harmed and how?**|**What are you already doing?**|**Do you need anything else to control this risk?**|**Action by who?**|**Action by when?**|**Done**|
|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|
| Hazards to eyes              | Tools users, bystanders | Use eye protection when using power tools.        | No (10/06/2025)|-|-|-|
| Catching hair/jewelery/clothing in power tools   | Power tool users, bystanders | Tie back long hair, remove loose clothing and jewelery. Avoid lone working when using power tools.| No (10/06/2025)|-|-|-|
| Finger/hand/limb injury   | Tool users | Keep fingers/hands away from tool bit/blade, secure workpiece using vide or g-clamp| No (10/06/2025)|-|-|-|


## Use of Hand Tools
|**What are the hazards?**|**Who might be harmed and how?**|**What are you already doing?**|**Do you need anything else to control this risk?**|**Action by who?**|**Action by when?**|**Done**|
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| Cuts, abrasions from bladed tools | Hand tool users | When using a bladed tool cut away from self/others such that if tool slips the risk of cutting injury is avoided. Close/fold bladed tool when finished and store safely | No (10/06/2025)|-|-|-|
| Hammer injury to fingers/hand, debris injury to eyes |  Hand tool users | When hammering keep body parts away from workpiece, wear eye protection. |No (10/06/2025)|-|-|-|

## 3D Printer
|**What are the hazards?**|**Who might be harmed and how?**|**What are you already doing?**|**Do you need anything else to control this risk?**|**Action by who?**|**Action by when?**|**Done**|
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| Fire | Space users | Ensure printer is clean before use. Keep flammable materials away from heated bed and extruder. |No (10/06/2025)|-|-|-|
| Burns | 3D printer users | Do not touch extruder or heated bed during heating/printing/cooling. Allow to cool before removing print. | No (10/06/2025)|-|-|-|
| Fumes | 3D printer users | Do not print with filaments that produce harmful fumes (such as ABS, ASA)|No (10/03/2026)|-|-|-|

## Glue gun
|**What are the hazards?**|**Who might be harmed and how?**|**What are you already doing?**|**Do you need anything else to control this risk?**|**Action by who?**|**Action by when?**|**Done**|
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| Fire | Space users | Keep away from flammable materials. Do not leave running when not in use and once it has been turned off and unplugged, give it enough time to cool down before putting it away. Do not leave covered when running. |No (10/03/2026)|-|-|-|
| Burns | Glue gun users | Do not touch hot end while it is running and give it enough time for it and the glue to cool off before touching. When not currently being held and actively used, it should be placed down where it won't fall on the user. The power cable should also be out of the way where it won't get snagged.| No (10/03/2026)|-|-|-|