Safety Rules

Safety is our utmost concern. The following rules are in place to ensure the safety of all students and staff using EPIC.

Failure to comply with any of the posted rules and regulations is grounds for immediate dismissal from EPIC. You may be permanently barred from entering EPIC.

Completing the safety quiz is required before starting work in EPIC.

Take the Safety Quiz!

Please always sign in to the space by swiping your card.

Clothing and Attire

  • ANSI Z87 Safety glasses are required at all times. Prescription glasses are NOT safety glasses.
  • Remove all jewelry, including watches, bracelets, and necklaces. Permanent jewelry may be taped down.
  • Long hair must be tied back and pulled up. Hairbands and clips are available at the check-in desk.
  • Safety-appropriate attire must be worn, including closed-toed shoes.
  • Loose or baggy clothing must be removed. Sweatshirt strings must be tied back. Long sleeves must be rolled up above the elbow.
  • Hair coverings must be tucked in and have no loose fabric.
  • If you must cover your arms for any reason, your sleeves must be tight with no loose fabric.  You may also use sleeve covers available at the check-in desk.
  • EPIC staff has the right to not let people into the shop if their attire poses a safety risk.

We will do our best to provide covers and ties to ensure you are safe.  If there are additions or materials we can add to EPIC, please let us know and we will provide it.

Safety Glasses Z87 Requirements

While we provide loaner safety glasses we do recommend that you purchase your own safety glasses (cleaner and less scratches!). Safety glasses should meet the Z87 Standard. Z87 means the glasses have been tested for impact resistance – Learn more here.

If you wear prescription glasses and expect to use EPIC frequently you may prefer to purchase prescription safety glasses. There are several online vendors from which you can purchase Z87 rated prescription safety glasses. Make sure they do say Z87 on the frame listing because there are some “FDA Approved” frames that come up in search results that are not appropriate for impact safety.

If you haven’t purchased prescription glasses online before:

If you have a strong prescription:

  • Safety glasses lenses are made from shatterproof Polycarbonate or Trivex and these have a lower index of refraction than the high-index plastic in your current glasses. You may find some vendors unable to make your glasses – Learn more here.
  • Do not purchase frames with a high base curve (wrap-around style), instead choose flatter lenses with smaller width and side-shield styles – Learn more here.

Suggested vendors that sell Z87 frames with the option to add prescription lenses:

Food and Drink is Not Permitted

No food or drink is permitted past the yellow safety line at the front of the shop or at the computer stations.

Cell phone Use is Not Permitted

Cell phones are a distraction in the shop! Get permission from staff to use your phone for recording. Leave the shop to take calls or otherwise use your phone.

Cleanliness

  • Good housekeeping is mandatory. Keep your area clean. Spills, loose components, and other mess is hazardous. Ensure all materials are put away completely when you are done working in EPIC. If you do not clean your space adequately before leaving EPIC, you may face disciplinary action including loss of EPIC privilege.
  • You must leave backpacks and other materials inside the EPIC front storage cubbies. Nothing can be put on the shop floor.
  • No bikes/scooters are allowed in the EPIC lab, classrooms, or parked in the hallways around the EPIC spaces.
  • EPIC has limited storage space. Projects can not be left in the hallways. Materials left unattended will be disposed of. Visit our Project Storage page for more information.

Equipment and Training

  • If you are not trained to operate a machine, do not operate it. Ask for assistance.
  • Never operate a machine while alone in the shop. A senior staff member must be present.

After Hours Policy

EPIC heavy-machinery hours end an hour before close. Operating hours may change throughout the year, for current machining hours check our Visit page). Any heavy equipment and any tool requiring “wall power” (plugs into an outlet) may not be operated in the last hour before close or after the last senior staff member leaves for the day, whichever comes first.

The only tools that can be used after heavy-machinery hours are:

  • Laser cutters
  • Hand tools
  • Battery-powered tools

There must be a senior staff member or student lab assistant present to be able to be in the lab. In the absence of a senior staff member, our lab assistants are the highest authority in EPIC. A lab assistant may dismiss you from EPIC if you fail to comply with all posted rules and regulations.

Attempting to operate heavy equipment after-hours will result in immediate dismissal from EPIC and the highest-level of disciplinary action.

Boston University Safety and Policies

All of the Boston University safety and other policies are, of course, in effect in EPIC.  For example, there are no non-service animals allowed in the building in accordance with BU policies.

Accommodations for Disabilities

We are committed to enabling everyone to have access to EPIC.  However, some  disabilities might preclude the safe and independent use of some of the machinery. Please contact one of the staff or the director and we will work with you to ensure you have access and can work safely.

Service Animals

We afford some accommodation for service animals provided they don’t pose a hazard to the animal or to other users of EPIC.  Please consult with the shop manager to review the current policy.

No Open Flames

No open flames at any time.  Period.

Take the Safety Quiz!