Facilities & Safety Operations

Safety is our priority at the Faculty of Applied Sciences. We aim to provide our students, faculty and staff with safe working conditions and practices when working on campus. For any urgent concerns regarding safety, please contact our Safety Operations Officer at fas_safety@sfu.ca.

Machine Shop

New research users or student teams wishing to access the machine shops can email fastech@sfu.ca for Surrey or faseng@sfu.ca in Brunaby with the subject "Machine Shop Access".

Undergraduate students who access the machine shops as part of academic course material (ie: capstones, projects) will receive instructions from their instructor on how to access.

Training sessions must be completed prior to using the shops.

Machine Shop Rules

Personal Apparel:

Users must acquire and wear personal protective equipment (PPE - listed below) at all times in the machine shop.
- Safety glasses must be worn at all times in the machine shop.
- Ear plugs are recommended when power tools are in use.
- Hand protection is required when handling sharp tools or materials. Gloves are not allowed when working with spinning devices (drill press, lathe, milling machine etc.).
- Steel toe boots must be worn when working with large/heavy materials that pose a risk of falling off the work station. Users can bring their own steel toe boots or there are toe covers available in the shop.
- Additional PPE may be required if you expect additional hazards. The FAS Safety Officer can assist in determining PPE requirements for specific projects.
Users must be dressed appropriately for working in a machine shop.
- Long hair must be tied up in a tight bun. A hair net may be used.
- Long beards should be confined in a tight hair net
- Clothes must be close-fitting. No loose clothes, shirts with long sleeves, scarfs, or neck ties should be must.
- No long jewelry, rings, bracelets or metal watch bands in the machine shop.

Operational Safety:

Accidents are often caused by carelessness. You must always be concerned with your own safety and with that of the others around you. Safety precautions in the machine shop are as a follow:

Understand the correct operation procedure and safety precautions before operating the equipment.
Develop good housekeeping habits.
- Clean up scrap material and dust promptly after completing a project.
- Clean the floor immediately after spilling oil, grease, etc.
Never work while under influence of drugs, medications, alcohol, etc.
Report defective or unsafe equipment to the machinist.
Stay focused while working with equipment. Do not distract or interfere with the operator of a machine.
Do not run in shop.
Avoid back strain by using hoist, jack, and cranes to lift heavy items. Ask the machinist or lab engineer for help.
Never work under heavy objects.
Be completely alert when you move about the shop.
Always ask for help if needed!

General Rules:

Undergraduate students must be supervised in the machine shop.
Bookings are made for specific tools. Please only use the equipment you have booked.
Shop users are required to clean up after themselves.
No food or drink is allowed in the machine shop.
Bags must be stored out of the way of equipment and people.

Faculty of Applied Sciences