Parsons supports a making culture where everyone shares responsibility for safety, we help and support one another, innovation is encouraged and positive experiences are created. This is a space to have FUN, LEARN, be PRODUCTIVE, and work SAFELY.

Certain Making Center spaces may function as a classroom during class/scheduled orientation hours and as a monitored workspace during open task time (also referred to as“OTT” or “Open Studio”). These locations may have expensive, sensitive equipment, as well as power tools, advanced machinery, and specialized tools, approved chemicals used in making processes. How we conduct ourselves in these spaces directly impacts others working in the shops and vice versa. Together with faculty and students, Making Center staff works to foster a positive culture, creating a safe, welcoming, and productive environment.

All rules shall be enforced by all Making Center staff. Following of rules should be encouraged by all students as well Making Center Staff. The rules outlined below must be adhered to by you and any guests that accompany you into any Making Spaces. These spaces are regularly inspected for compliance. Violations to this policy will be subject to disciplinary measures.

Report all injuries and incidents immediately. All injuries must be reported to a Making Center technician immediately. Upon injury or if a tool or piece of equipment becomes unsafe, damaged or is not working properly, or has been touched by blood, immediately discontinue use of the tool/equipment in use and notify a Making Center technician. If you see a potential safety hazard, alert Making Center staff.

Planning & preparations are key. Safety is your top priority when using the Making Center. If you are not sure what to do, ask a technician. Be aware of first aid and Fire and safety equipment. Never use a tool unless you have been trained to use it safely. Do not work when tired or in a hurry. Do not cause distraction or startle anyone while either of you are using a tool. Think through the entire job before starting and plan your time. Prepare prints or drawings with all dimensions and specifications prior to working in the shops. Making Center technicians are happy to assist you if you get stuck.

Use proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and dress as required per shop. Specific shops have dress codes to minimize injury. Check these requirements before visiting the shop to ensure you are dressed appropriately for the work you wish to complete. You may be denied entry into a shop if clothing does not meet safety requirements; you are free to change clothing and return.

Remain “present”. Only operate machinery when focused. Do not operate machinery under the influence of debilitating medications or under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Avoid all distractions while operating machinery. Listening to music via headphones is prohibited if it prevents a member from remaining aware of their environment.

No smoking. Smoking cigarettes, cigars, vapes, etc. is prohibited in all university buildings including the Making Center.

No drugs (prescribed or unprescribed). The use of drugs may impair judgement, and could cause serious injury while operating dangerous equipment.

No animals or pets. All animals and pets are prohibited on university property except service animals with proper clearance from security.

No open flames or open flame devices, pyrotechnics or smoke/fog machines. This includes candles, cigarette lighters, and smoke bombs. These can cause a fire and trigger the building’s fire alarm that automatically calls the NYFD. Tampering with smoke and fire alarms is considered a serious offense.

No hot plates, toaster ovens, heat guns, or other equipment that heats up is allowed unless specifically approved by Making Center Staff in conjunction with Facilities.  Heated equipment poses potential fire hazards, burn hazards, and can overtax electric circuits if not properly set up.

No aerosols, solvents, or odorous/harmful chemicals are permitted outside of the designated areas. Aerosols include spray adhesive, gloss or matte spray, spray paint, etc. Solvents include epoxy, resin and industrial strength glue/bonding agents.  Many resins, brown glues, and other more toxic chemicals are prohibited in ALL university spaces.

No alcoholic beverages, food, water or other liquids.  Use, possession, or distribution of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in Making Center, except when authorized by the Office of the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs for a particular function. Additionally, food, beverages,  and other liquids are prohibited in all Making Center shops, and when using electrical equipment in open workspaces. Liquid and electricity do not mix. Bottled water is allowed in certain shops.

Use Tools Correctly. Use tools how they are designed to be used. Never use a broken tool. Report any broken tools/equipment to a Technician immediately. Do not remove tools from the Making Center. Never walk away from a tool that is still on. Never tamper with a tool’s safety features or settings. Operate machinery according to recommended procedures and with safety guards in place, as applicable. Never try to repair equipment on your own. Always ask a technician if you are uncertain about how to safely operate  tools or equipment.

Only trained and authorized members are permitted to operate machinery and/or hand tools/equipment. You are considered “trained” for level one machines once you have completed all necessary Making Center provided training or orientation sessions. This may include lectures and hands-on training sessions. In some cases pre-requisite classes are required to use certain machines. You may need to periodically become re-authorized on certain machinery.

All chemicals and substances must be cleared with health and safety before use and storage within the Making Center. When interested in using a chemical or substance that is not on an approved material list, you must alert Making Center technicians well in advance and provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for the substance in question. Please consult a technician before storing chemicals/substances in the Making Center to ensure all required safety requirements are met.

Do not leave personal belongings or any tools/equipment unattended. You are responsible for all tools and equipment that is rented from the Making Center shops, as well as any personal items in shops or open workspaces. You are fully responsible for anything that is lost or any damage that occurs to equipment or facilities while it is rented out to you.

Do not block egress or prop open doors. You are not permitted to block fire exits or safety and first aid equipment. Keyed access doors must not be propped open unless done so by Making Center staff.

Clean up after yourself. Keep work areas as clean as possible before, during and after use, as cluttered or dirty work areas can cause accidents. Put any tools equipment, chairs or tables back into their designated spaces before you leave. The technical staff will provide you with cleaning equipment and materials if required.

Treat all New School community members engaging in the Making Center Spaces with respect and consideration.  

You must respect the safety of other students while in the Making Center, as well as your own safety.

As the Making Center houses a broad collection of making, please visit individual spaces for shop/studio/lab specific set of expectations. 

Respect others working in the space. Making Center spaces are SHARED spaces, and support students with a diversity of needs and experience. Please share the space and machines proactively, making sure those around you have the space and time they need when planning and executing your own project.  – treating everyone with respect – supervising space and fellow students working within the spaces.

Respect the technicians. The rules are there to support everyone’s safe use of shared resources. If a technician makes a request of you please know that there is a health, safety, or logistical reason behind it. Take the action first, you may ask questions once the hazard has passed.

All users of the space must adhere to Making Center Safety Guidelines which  have been developed in coordination with OSHA and New School University standards. Users of each space should only be working with approved materials using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Please visit individual shops for more specific information on approved materials and required PPE.

Projects should be disassembled before being put into the reuse areas. Visit the shop technician regarding material disposal/reuse.

Food & drink is only allowed in approved spaces. Due to the equipment and processes within Making Center spaces, food and drink are prohibited in shops where noted.

No unreasonable or excessive noise. Many Making Spaces are in close proximity to classrooms and other working spaces. Please be considerate of your peers.

Do not leave the work area, materials, projects unattended. If you need to step away to use a restroom or for under 10 minutes, that is acceptable. For longer periods, please clear your space so others may use it. Community members should minimize their individual work space footprint by hanging up or storing coats/bags when able. Visit the shop technician regarding material disposal/reuse.

Do not leave any checked out or personal work/tools/equipment unattended. You are fully responsible for all tools and equipment that is rented from Tool Checkouts and the Equipment Resource Center, including being charged for lost or damaged equipment. You are also responsible for your own property; please note the lime limits for on-campus storage. Anything stored outside of your personal locker is left at your own risk and will not be replaced or reimbursed if lost.

Clean up after yourself. During open task time, users of the space must clean up anything that is brought into Making Center spaces and return any equipment, chairs or tables to their designated spaces. Classes running within any of the Making Center spaces should reserve a minimum of 30 minutes during the end of each class period or critique to tidy-up as a group. Spaces should be cleared by the end of class time regardless of whether an incoming class is scheduled in the space in the next block. Unwanted material should be brought to the reuse area within the shop, thrown out or recycled in the labeled bins.