Chimera Arts & Maker Space
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MEMBERS & STAFF
All members, staff, and guests should read and abide by this Code of Conduct for Chimera Art Space and its companion policy, Code of Conduct Violations. If they have any questions, they should ask a board member. (Jim Wheaton, Joe Szuecs, Rob Cary, Nancy Hamilton - as of 1/1/24 board@chimeraarts.org).
Code of Conduct
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.
Intimidation, bullying, and harassment (including sexual harassment, gender shaming, and racism) will NOT be tolerated.
If you offer help to someone, please understand that some people prefer to work or learn independently. Speak as if to an equal, and if your offer is declined, accept it gracefully.
If someone is wearing headphones or earbuds, please don’t engage them in conversation unless specifically invited. If there is an emergency, please interrupt them. That said, communication and community are what Chimera is about. Please try to assist others who may be less trained than you are.
Be understanding if someone suggests that how you work may present a safety concern; this is a community responsibility. If you disagree, refer your concerns to the Shop Manager or a board member (board@chimeraartspace.org).
Safety
FOOTWEAR Steel toe boots are recommended for some areas - Metal Shop, Woodshop. 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 except during special events.
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. Long, dangly jewelry or large rings are not recommended.
USE COMMON SENSE by wearing PPE (personal protective equipment) suitable for the work at hand (i.e., welding helmet and jacket in Metal Shop, eye/ear protection, boots, gloves in Wood Shop, etc.). PPEs are readily available in each workspace – please ask a staff member or member if you cannot find the needed equipment!
Prohibited Activities
Alcohol and drug consumption is prohibited at the Makerspace when working with tools or equipment.
No smoking or vaping is allowed indoors or within 50 feet of the building.
Do not sleep at the shop or in the parking lot. It is not allowed and can put the space at risk.
Do not eat or drink on or near equipment. Food and drink are okay in the common areas and at your workbench - when not actively working. You can accidentally imbibe chemicals/foreign objects/toxic dust, spill liquids onto sensitive machinery, and get distracted when eating and drinking.
Cleaning and Care of the Space
It is everyone’s responsibility to keep the space clean. The level of cleanliness is based on how you found the space when you started work. Leave the work area cleaner than you found it! A little extra effort benefits us all!
Tools should be organized. Please put things back where you found them!
Clean up any spills immediately and appropriately, as they are a hazard. Report toxic substance spills immediately to staff.
Please take care of difficult-to-deal-with trash and do not leave it for others to clean up. Items that cannot fit in standard-sized trash or recycling bins should be disposed of independently.
Be aware that certain chemicals, tools, and materials can be toxic to humans. Follow appropriate safety procedures for handling and avoid exposing others.
If you leave a mess behind, you may receive a verbal warning that goes on your record. Second offenses will result in a written infraction (depending on the severity of the infraction). (Please see our Code of Conduct Violations).
Leaving something overnight: put it safely out of the way and leave a note with your name and the date it will be done. Check with the department director regarding storing your items. Lockers and container spaces are available for monthly rental.
Tool Safety
If equipment is broken, please unplug the machine, email board@chimeraarts.org, or call the shop director/emergency contact immediately. Do not attempt repairs without asking for approval from the shop director. Put a note on the machine that it is out of order. Thanks!
You must gain authorization by way of a Signoff before you can use any power tool. Signoffs are administrated by the department head or duly appointed Makerspace representative. Signoffs are generally arranged when a member signs up but can be scheduled and performed later. If you need training on a piece of equipment, you must take a signoff class that covers that tool/equipment. If you are not signed off on a tool, you may not use that tool.
If you forget how to use a tool, ask! Don’t take risks! Ask for help.
Do not operate heavy machinery if you are the only person in the space. If you are hurt, no one will be around to help.
Report any injury using an Incident Report Form. Immediately obtain first aid for the injury and report to shop managers. When determining the severity of the injury, always err on the side of caution. Call 911 if necessary.
Do not leave machines running unattended.
Do not attempt to stop running equipment with any part of your body. Use the power switch or unplug it.
Be aware of all equipment around you, especially moving parts.
Check that all pieces and tooling are correctly secured before operating the equipment.
Remove all chuck keys, wrenches, and other tools from the machinery after making adjustments.
Work with a partner when appropriate–do not try to move heavy objects or support heavy pieces by yourself.
Pay attention to the machinery. Something that does not feel or sound right is likely not working right. Ask for help. If necessary, call one of the emergency contacts listed in the shop.
Minors (under 18)
Minors should be supervised at all times when in the Makerspace. The adult should be in the same area as the minor!
Minors should use equipment only if an adult trained on the equipment will supervise.
Use of Resources/Consumables
Some consumable items are considered part of your membership, and you are encouraged to use what is made available in the shops. (examples include sandpaper, cutting blades, glue, dust masks, etc.).
When using consumables, please consider replacing some or all of what you’ve used or making a cash/check donation in the donation box on the front desk. Place cash in an envelope and note what it is for.
If a machine’s consumables (blades, sandpaper, etc) are damaged from your misuse or lack of understanding of how to use the equipment, you will be asked to replace it.
Project and Materials Storage
Keep your belongings within your rented storage space if you have one. Ask the director for availability. Shelves in the container rent for $30.00 a month with a limit of 2 months for storage. Pay in Cobot. (One shelf is left open for the facility’s use).
Stow materials, tools, and scrap appropriately. Do not pose a tripping hazard or put tools at risk for damage.
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 two weeks.
Miscellaneous
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 in each shop. If the complaint concerns a department director or staff member or just a general complaint, please contact the board or place the complaint in the donation box up front. Fill out the Complaint Form.
Classes and Events: Members are expected to be courteous when events occur and not create excessive noise or inconvenience to the attendees. Look at the calendar and plan noisy work around these events to help improve people’s class experience. It is recommended that instructors book noisy machines in other departments to avoid the operation of that equipment during their class.
Volunteering: We encourage all members to give back to the community however they can, whether by cleaning an area, helping to maintain the equipment, or subscribing to the Newsletter to keep up on volunteer events and needs. We always welcome anyone who wants to volunteer!
Avoid foul language. We want to keep a “family-friendly” environment for our younger members.
Lost and Found: Please bring to the front desk and either attach a note with information such as the date, name of person, and class found, or if the item was found after a class, contact the student personally. Ask a staff member for their email if you need it. Items abandoned for 30 days may be disposed of.
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 guests that they may not touch or use any power tools or machines.
Donations of supplies/tools/materials to the shop must be made through the Department Director. Things that appear out of nowhere will be put in the Lost and Found, sold, or given away.
Please respect our neighbors.
If you are the last to leave the Makerspace, shut off everything and lock up! The close-up procedure is posted near the front door. Check to see if you are the last one in the shop. If you encounter another person, inform them that you are leaving. Don’t forget to lock any open containers and outbuildings - whether you used them or not! 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.
Always use your keycard to enter Chimera - even if the doors are open. This applies to entering through the backdoor, too.
Respect our official Member working hours, which are 7:00am to 11:00pm.
Changes to the Code of Conduct may be made occasionally, with or without notice. By continuing your membership, you agree to abide by any such changes. You are responsible for staying current on the latest additions to our Code of Conduct.
Forms: Complaint Form, the Code of Conduct Violation, and the Injury Incident Report Form