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As a new hobbyist in the Maker community, are there any resources you'd recommend that covers basic safety that is aimed at Makers? edit: typo

by Steezy 10y ago

pmoriarty 10y ago
I'd start with digging up the material safety data sheets (MSDS)[1] for all the compounds you're working with, and reading over those. I'd also search around for books and papers on electronics safety. It's really amazing just how little electricity is required to stop a human heart, if the conditions are right. The same goes for chemical safety. College level textbooks on these subjects tend to at least give a decent overview of the issues involved, to a more thorough degree than books targeted at a popular audience. But I wouldn't stop there, and would try to find some more specialist literature dealing with safety in particular. I'd also encourage you to take courses in these subjects, and talk to the professors about your interest in safety. Unfortunately safety is not a very sexy topic, and tends to get glossed over a lot. But you'll still be far better off with guidance from an experienced instructor than trying to go it all on your own. [1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_data_sheet https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_data_sheet
- danieltillett 10y ago
  The trouble with MSDS is that the lawyers have got to them and they all end saying the same thing (look at the one for salt [1]) and so people become blasé about the really dangerous risks. When I was an academic I had huge problems with students working with the truely dangerous chemicals in an unsafe manner because they couldn't tell the difference. I had to run little informal classes with my students where I would teach them which chemicals they had to worry about and which were not that dangerous. 1. https://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927593 https://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927593
  - kuschku 10y ago
    > Do not ingest. > In case of Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water. Cover the irritated skin with an emollient. Get medical attention if irritation develops. Cold water may be used Okay, you’re right, these are overly alarming.
    - danieltillett 10y ago
      You should see the MSDS for dihydrogen oxide [1]. 1. https://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927321 https://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927321
droopyEyelids 10y ago
Ventilation, eye protection, hearing protection at all times when appropriate. Rig a fume hood.
- willtheperson 10y ago
  I think the question Steezy was getting at is, yes, those things are great. What kind of ventilation? Can I 3d print in the garage if the door is open? How much air is required to make it safe? Is there a simple way to lookup a material and make sure you're using the right safety precautions? Most materials seems to carry the "will cause cancer, sometimes, maybe, always" label. Is there a modern "maker" safety course, covering things like 3d printing, laser cutting, glues and paints, electronics, etc. that I can follow?
digler999 10y ago
get a fume extractor if you solder, and especially if you desolder old boards. then, only solder with lead-free solder.
bsder 10y ago
Okay, I have to respond because there is a lot of misinformation flying around. MSDS's are good, but you'll go nuts trying to accommodate all of them. 1) Safety glasses. Safety glasses. SAFETY GLASSES. I can't mention this enough. Most injuries can be adjusted to accommodate--losing your eyes isn't like that. And, if you're using one of the more powerful lasers, get the specialty glasses for that. 2) Soldering doesn't really vaporize lead. There are other nasty things in the flux and board (Chlorine radicals are particularly bad). Keep your area ventilated and try not to inhale stuff. Fume hoods are excellent, but nobody I know who does this ever used one. An open window or open garage door generally is good enough for soldering. 3) Use leaded solder. Yes, I said it. Lead-free solder sucks to work with by hand. Lead-free solder takes a lot more heat and vaporizes more garbage than leaded solder, not less. One of the best ways to desolder lead-free solder is actually to add leaded solder and then desolder the result since it now melts at a lower temperature. 4) Too many people store their solder paste in the same fridge with food. That's a problem. Solder balls get everywhere very easily. 5) Arc welding is nasty. Old school shielded metal arc welding (stick welding) vaporizes all manner of nasty stuff. Use MIG or TIG instead--they still vaporize stuff but way less. They're better welds anyway. Also be careful about welding things like galvanized steel. 6) Hearing protection. You need it more than you think you do. I have hearing loss from years in server rooms in the 1990's. 7) Respect even the small machines. A small milling machine or lathe can't take off your hand as quickly as a radial saw, but it can still maim you quite badly. 8) Respect anything with a cutting edge even if not powered. Sure, an unpowered cutting edge probably won't kill or permanently maim you, but that doesn't mean you can get careless. I see people change milling bits without wrapping the bit in cloth while they hold it all the time. Generally, those same people wind up with scars across the palm of their hand. I suspect the lowly utility knife causes more injuries than any other tool. 9) Powders are really damn dangerous. In addition to being highly flammable and explosive, they get in your lungs and don't come out easily. Sawdust from real wood is bad--sawdust from particle board is worse. It has all manner of nasty shit in it. 10) Volatile organics are worse than you think. Acetone, kerosene, paint thinner, etc. do nasty things to you. If people can use it for "huffing", it probably is nasty to your brain. Ventilate these things much better than you would for everything else.

As a new hobbyist in the Maker community, are there any resources you'd recommend that covers basic safety that is aimed at Makers? edit: typo

by Steezy 10y ago

As a new hobbyist in the Maker community, are there any resources you'd recommend that covers basic safety that is aimed at Makers? edit: typo

pmoriarty 10y ago

I'd start with digging up the material safety data sheets (MSDS)[1] for all the compounds you're working with, and reading over those. I'd also search around for books and papers on electronics safety. It's really amazing just how little electricity is required to stop a human heart, if the conditions are right. The same goes for chemical safety. College level textbooks on these subjects tend to at least give a decent overview of the issues involved, to a more thorough degree than books targeted at a popular audience. But I wouldn't stop there, and would try to find some more specialist literature dealing with safety in particular. I'd also encourage you to take courses in these subjects, and talk to the professors about your interest in safety. Unfortunately safety is not a very sexy topic, and tends to get glossed over a lot. But you'll still be far better off with guidance from an experienced instructor than trying to go it all on your own. [1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_data_sheet https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_data_sheet

danieltillett 10y ago
The trouble with MSDS is that the lawyers have got to them and they all end saying the same thing (look at the one for salt [1]) and so people become blasé about the really dangerous risks. When I was an academic I had huge problems with students working with the truely dangerous chemicals in an unsafe manner because they couldn't tell the difference. I had to run little informal classes with my students where I would teach them which chemicals they had to worry about and which were not that dangerous. 1. https://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927593 https://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927593
- kuschku 10y ago
  > Do not ingest. > In case of Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water. Cover the irritated skin with an emollient. Get medical attention if irritation develops. Cold water may be used Okay, you’re right, these are overly alarming.
  - danieltillett 10y ago
    You should see the MSDS for dihydrogen oxide [1]. 1. https://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927321 https://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927321

droopyEyelids 10y ago

Ventilation, eye protection, hearing protection at all times when appropriate. Rig a fume hood.

willtheperson 10y ago
I think the question Steezy was getting at is, yes, those things are great. What kind of ventilation? Can I 3d print in the garage if the door is open? How much air is required to make it safe? Is there a simple way to lookup a material and make sure you're using the right safety precautions? Most materials seems to carry the "will cause cancer, sometimes, maybe, always" label. Is there a modern "maker" safety course, covering things like 3d printing, laser cutting, glues and paints, electronics, etc. that I can follow?

digler999 10y ago

get a fume extractor if you solder, and especially if you desolder old boards. then, only solder with lead-free solder.

bsder 10y ago

Okay, I have to respond because there is a lot of misinformation flying around. MSDS's are good, but you'll go nuts trying to accommodate all of them. 1) Safety glasses. Safety glasses. SAFETY GLASSES. I can't mention this enough. Most injuries can be adjusted to accommodate--losing your eyes isn't like that. And, if you're using one of the more powerful lasers, get the specialty glasses for that. 2) Soldering doesn't really vaporize lead. There are other nasty things in the flux and board (Chlorine radicals are particularly bad). Keep your area ventilated and try not to inhale stuff. Fume hoods are excellent, but nobody I know who does this ever used one. An open window or open garage door generally is good enough for soldering. 3) Use leaded solder. Yes, I said it. Lead-free solder sucks to work with by hand. Lead-free solder takes a lot more heat and vaporizes more garbage than leaded solder, not less. One of the best ways to desolder lead-free solder is actually to add leaded solder and then desolder the result since it now melts at a lower temperature. 4) Too many people store their solder paste in the same fridge with food. That's a problem. Solder balls get everywhere very easily. 5) Arc welding is nasty. Old school shielded metal arc welding (stick welding) vaporizes all manner of nasty stuff. Use MIG or TIG instead--they still vaporize stuff but way less. They're better welds anyway. Also be careful about welding things like galvanized steel. 6) Hearing protection. You need it more than you think you do. I have hearing loss from years in server rooms in the 1990's. 7) Respect even the small machines. A small milling machine or lathe can't take off your hand as quickly as a radial saw, but it can still maim you quite badly. 8) Respect anything with a cutting edge even if not powered. Sure, an unpowered cutting edge probably won't kill or permanently maim you, but that doesn't mean you can get careless. I see people change milling bits without wrapping the bit in cloth while they hold it all the time. Generally, those same people wind up with scars across the palm of their hand. I suspect the lowly utility knife causes more injuries than any other tool. 9) Powders are really damn dangerous. In addition to being highly flammable and explosive, they get in your lungs and don't come out easily. Sawdust from real wood is bad--sawdust from particle board is worse. It has all manner of nasty shit in it. 10) Volatile organics are worse than you think. Acetone, kerosene, paint thinner, etc. do nasty things to you. If people can use it for "huffing", it probably is nasty to your brain. Ventilate these things much better than you would for everything else.