Code of Conduct | Port City Makerspace

The Code of Conduct are the rules that all members of the Makerspace agree to abide by when at the shop.
They are as follows:

Golden Rule: RESPECT ALL PEOPLE, equipment and space.
Personal Protective Equipment and Dress Code (Exception: during public events (ex. Open House, Harvest Fest) where tools are not in use).
1. FOOTWEAR Steel toe boots are recommended. Closed toed shoes are required at all times. Soft soles and stable platforms provide the most secure footing. No high heels or open-toed shoes.
2. CLOTHING Nothing on your person should hang away from the body. Loose sleeves, pant legs, watches, scarves, etc pose a safety risk and should be secured before entering the workspace. Long pants will protect you from debris and are highly recommended.
3. JEWELRY Studs on the ears and face are fine. Bracelets, rings, necklaces, and watches should be avoided.
4. USE COMMON SENSE by wearing PPE suitable for the work at hand, (ie welding helmet and jacket in Metal Shop, eye/ear protection, boots, and gloves in Wood Shop, etc). PPE is readily available in each workspace – please ask if you are unable to find the equipment you need!
Prohibited Activities
1. Consumption of alcohol is prohibited at the Makerspace. Exception: at sanctioned events as designated by the general manager. No power tools may not be operated during such events, anywhere in the space.
2. Consumption of drugs is prohibited.
3. There is no smoking or vaping allowed indoors, nor within 50 feet from the building.
4. Do not sleep at the shop or in the parking lot. It is not allowed and can put the space at risk.
5. Do not eat or drink on or near the machines. Food and drink are okay in the Classroom.
Cleaning and Care of the Space
1. Rule of thumb: Leave your work area cleaner than you found it.
2. It is everyone’s responsibility to keep the space clean.
3. Tools should be organized. Put things back where you found them!
4. Make sure to clean up any spills immediately and appropriately, as they are a hazard.
5. Please take care of difficult to deal with trash and do not leave for others to clean up. Items that cannot be fit in standard sized trash or recycling bins should be disposed of independently.
6. If you leave a mess behind, you may be contacted to either return to clean it up, or asked to perform Makerspace community service.
7. Leaving something overnight: put it safely out of the way and leave a note with your name and the date it will be done. DO NOT leave projects for more than 3 days or you may be charged for storage.
Tool Safety
1. If a piece of equipment is broken, please unplug the machine and email brokentool@portcitymakerspace.com immediately. Do not attempt repairs without asking for approval from the General Manager.
2. You must gain authorization by way of a Safety Checkout before you can use any power tool. Safety Checkouts are administrated by the General Manager, or duly appointed Makerspace representative. Checkouts are generally arranged when a member signs on, but can be scheduled and performed at a later date. If you need training on a piece of equipment, you are advised to take one of the Introductory classes that covers that tool or ask a member that is trained on that equipment for help.
3. Don’t take risks. If you are unsure about a course of action, ask another person.
4. Do not operate heavy machines if you are the only person in the space. If you are hurt, no one will be around to help.
5. Report any injury using an Incident Report Form. Immediately obtain first aid for any injury and report to shop managers. When determining the severity of the injury, always err on the side of caution.
6. Do not leave machines running unattended.
7. Do not attempt to stop running equipment with any part of your body. Use the power switch or unplug it.
8. Be aware of all equipment around you, especially moving parts.
9. Check that all pieces and tooling are properly secured before operating equipment.
10. Remove all chuck keys, wrenches, and other tools from the machinery after making adjustments.
11. Work with a partner when appropriate–do not try to move heavy objects nor support heavy pieces by yourself.
12. Only one person should be operating a machine at a time.
13. Pay attention to the machinery. Something that does not feel or sound right is likely not working right.
14. Do not use compressed air on machines or yourself. It can damage the machines and can hurt you.
15. Ensure that you are working in a properly lit space.
Minors (under 18)
1. Minors should be supervised at all times when in the Makerspace.
2. Minors should use equipment only if an adult trained on the equipment will supervise.
Use of Resources/Consumables
1. Consumable items are considered part of your membership and you are encouraged to make use of what is made available in the shops. (examples include sandpaper, hardware, glue, dust masks, etc)
2. When depleting large quantities of consumables, please consider replacing some or all of what you’ve used, or making a cash/check donation in a donation box.
3. If a machine’s consumable (blade, sandpaper, etc) is damaged from misuse you will be asked to contribute towards a replacement.
Project and Materials Storage
1. Keep your belongings within your rented storage space if you have one. Ask the manager for availability.
2. Stow materials, tools, and scrap appropriately. Do not pose a tripping hazard or put tools at risk for damage.
3. Do not store anything inside or outside without permission from the staff. Anything left inside or outside with no name on it will be disposed of if left for more than 2 weeks.
Being a Courteous Member

We are a community workspace, and one of the sources of our strength as an organization is a diversity of perspectives. We are made up of members from many backgrounds and abilities. Please help us to keep this place welcoming to everyone, and keep the following in mind as you interact with others:

Be respectful of those around you; avoid language or actions that might reasonably make others uncomfortable.
While there are some places in the world (workshops, even) where crude language, humor, gestures and the like are accepted, Port City Makerspace isn’t one of them; it runs counter to our mission. Please leave that behavior at the door.
Intimidation, bullying, harassment, (specifically including sexual harassment) will NOT be tolerated.
If you are offering help to someone, please understand that some people prefer to work or learn on their own. Speak as if to an equal, and if your offer is declined, accept it gracefully.
Be understanding if someone suggests that how you are working may present a safety concern; this is a community responsibility. Refer the concern to the Shop Manager or General Manager if you disagree.

Communication is important in all communities. If someone is making you uncomfortable, point it out to them. If someone expresses a concern to you, please be receptive. If you need help, feel unsafe, or need to express a concern privately, please speak with the General Manager. They will assist, or connect you with the right person to help. Reports of misconduct can optionally be filed to our General Manager (anonymously if chosen) with a Code of Conduct Incident Report Form.

10. Additional Conduct

1. Notify staff via email of any problem with the facility, machines, or other members in the space as soon as you notice them. Contact info can be found on the bulletin board in the Classroom.
2. Classes and Events: Members are expected to be courteous when there are events taking place and not create excessive noise or inconvenience to attendees. Look at the calendar and plan noisy work around these events to help make people’s class experience the best.
3. Volunteering: We encourage all members to give back to the community however they can, be it through taking time to clean an area, helping to maintain the equipment, participate in their shop’s committee meetings, or subscribing to the Newsletter to keep up on volunteer events.
4. Avoid foul language. We want to keep a “family friendly” environment for our younger members.
5. Lost and Found: There is a bin located in the Classroom for placing abandoned/lost projects or items. Items abandoned for 30 days may be disposed of.
6. Visitors welcome! Members are encouraged to bring in friends and family to give them a tour of the makerspace. A member bringing someone in is responsible for their safety, and must inform people they are not to touch the power tools.
7. Buddy Pass: You may bring a friend to work with you for a day for $10. You will be responsible for their safety, as well as if they do any damage to the tools or the facility. They must sign a safety waiver.
8. Donations of supplies/tools/materials to the shop must be made through the General Manager or a Volunteer Shop Manager. Things that show up out of nowhere will be put in the Lost and Found.
9. There is a noise curfew of 7pm. If it is after this time, please ensure that the doors and windows are closed so that noise does not carry out of the building. Please respect our neighbors.
10. If you are the last one to leave the Makerspace, shut off everything and lock up! The close-up procedure is posted by the two regular doors in the Electronics Lab and Classroom. Typically this is the responsibility of the person watching the shop during open hours or a Maker’s Guild member, but in the event there is no one you are to ensure the makerspace is locked up and shut down. Closing the shop includes powering off all tools and equipment, shutting off lights, air compressor, and running water, taking in the OPEN flag, and locking all doors and windows.
11. Report any lost RFID badges, tools, or machinery immediately.

Members are required to adhere to our Late Payment Policy.

Changes to the Code of Conduct may be made from time to time, with or without notice. By continuing your membership you agree to abide by any such changes. It is your responsibility to stay up to date on the latest additions to our Code of Conduct.