Metalshop + Foundry – Policies and Procedures

Location

Kresge Ford Building Rooms: B 103, access to B104, B 107, B108 & B 109

Shop Hours

Monday-Friday – 8:30am-10:00pm
Saturday & Sunday – 12:00pm- 7pm

Holiday and review week hours vary and will be posted on the Metalshop + Foundry doors and campus announcements.

Shop Access Privileges

  • Students must pass the prerequisite course which is currently DFN 116 Design Techniques with a 2.0 / “C” or higher to enter the Metalshop.  This is entry-level access and does exclude the use of many tools.  Foundry use is granted with DFA 233 Sculpture: Foundry Techniques.
  • Scheduled classes are given priority to tools and equipment.  Please get permission from the instructor before working in the shop during a scheduled class.
  • Sign-in / Check-in with the technician and/or work-study upon arrival and state your work plan.
  • Safety glasses and Closed-toe shoes are MANDATORY.  Hearing protection is encouraged and leather gauntlet gloves and other PPE are suggested as necessary.
  • Mandatory safety orientation is required for faculty to instruct students in the shop.
  • Shop usage is a privilege that can be revoked if school or shop policies are violated.
  • Revocation must be reconciled with the Shop Manager.

Classes in the Metalshop or Foundry

  • The instructor must remain in the shop with their class.
  • If the instructor needs to leave for any reason, please inform the shop technician/manager of this intention.
  • The instructor must inform the class of all safety issues including required PPE, clothing and safety equipment. They must also monitor the classes adherence to shop guidelines and turn away any student that does not comply.
  • The Metalshop + Foundry staff are not instructional faculty, all teaching faculty are responsible for teaching their students the tools and techniques they expect their students to use in the execution of their projects. Faculty that are not capable of teaching specific techniques need to modify the projects to reflect their skills or give themselves an ample amount of time to learn the skills that they wish to pass on to their students. Mandatory Safety Orientation is available at the beginning of each semester and other training arrangements can be made with Metalshop Manager Nikki Barbour @ 313. 664. 7485 or nbarbour@ccsdetroit.edu.
  • The instructor must check the schedule and respect classes that are scheduled in the Metalshop + Foundry.  Students must know that if they are out of class and working in the shop (and there is a class scheduled) they must check with the instructor to see if they can work and understand that the class has priority.  This involves giving priority use of tools that are in high demand.
  • Shop technicians and work-study are not necessarily qualified to teach faculty and students proper equipment operation.
  • Staff technicians and work-study technicians are not allowed to complete work for students or faculty during working hours.
  • Faculty must notify shop managers if they wish to instruct their classes in the shop and must fill out the Academic Project Form and make arrangements with the shop Manager.  Classes held in the Metalshop or Foundry the entire semester must be scheduled through Colleague.

First Aid

  • Report EVERY accident to the shop technician, manager or instructor immediately.
  • First aid supplies are available for students and faculty and are located in sink areas.

What to do if Someone Gets Hurt on Campus

Follow These Steps:

  • Assess the situation – make sure it is safe for you to approach.
  • Call 911.
  • Contact Campus Safety – 7444 – and ask them to escort the EMS personnel to the proper location
  • Ask the person if you can help them (providing they are conscious)
  • Administer first aid if you are trained to do so.
  • No matter how small, recommend for the student to seek medical attention (you are not a medical professional).
  • Always file an incident report with Campus Safety to document the accident.
  • CCS personnel are advised not to transport anyone to the hospital due to the possibilities of complications or other unforeseen events that could occur.

If the person does not want to wait for EMS and wants to go to the hospital on their own you can refer them to:

Henry Ford Hospital (Grand River – just west of the Lodge freeway)

Detroit Receiving Hospital (St Antoine – just south of Warren)

Harper Hospital (John R – just south of Warren)

Beaumont Hospital (13 Mile Rd – Royal Oak – just west of Woodward)

Oakwood Hospital (Oakwood Ave – Dearborn – Oakwood Ave exit off of west bound I94 – go north on Oakwood)

Emergency rooms at hospitals outside of Detroit tend to provide quicker service.

Student Specific Information

Students can go to any hospital and see any doctor to have injuries from an accident treated.

This is for accidents that happen on or off campus. All CAD students have accident insurance. Students have 90 days after receiving treatment to turn in the bill with a claim form. Claim forms are available in the Office of Student Life. The insurance company will then evaluate the bill and make payment. The entire amount may not be covered by insurance. Students will be responsible for the remaining balance. If students have additional health insurance they can submit the outstanding balance to that company to see if they will pay the balance.

If students have any questions regarding student insurance, please refer them to: 

Dan Long, Dean of Students
dlong@ccsdetroit.edu
313.664.7675 p

Shop Environment

  • Safety glasses are MANDATORY.  Hearing protection is encouraged.  Leather gauntlet gloves and other PPE are required as necessary.
  • Appropriate clothing to include natural fiber long sleeve shirts and pants are required in the Metalshop + Foundry areas. Please do not wear shorts, skirts or skin revealing clothing.  Wear fire resistant natural fibers like cotton, denim, silk, and wool, this is to include face masks, scarves, bandanas, hijabs and hats.  Dress in layers to stay cool, or warm while working.  (it is Michigan…)
  • Appropriate footwear to include leather boots or sturdy closed toe shoes are required in the Metalshop + Foundry areas – shoes must be made of natural fibers and will protect feet from heavy objects, hot metal, cutting sparks, etc. (no synthetic athletic shoes, high heels, sandals or open toed shoes)
  • No horseplay allowed, no running.
  • Pay attention to your surroundings and be aware of others. Always look around and at the machine before you start cutting, grinding, sanding or welding.  Someone may be working or walking in your path.
  • Please hang coats and store book bags out of the hot shop or walkways.
  • No noise canceling headphones or other personal listening devices. It is important that you are aware of your surroundings and that you can hear potentially dangerous situations.
  • Please be aware of directional signage.
  • Do not cut through the shop to get somewhere else or exit the building except in emergencies. 
  • Use dust collection and ventilation.  When dust levels are high, a dust mask is recommended.

Housekeeping

  • Students and faculty must return all tools to the cabinets, tool crib and clean up debris on the shop tables and floor.
  • Do not use the air hoses to blow dust and debris off.  Dangerous particles can remain airborne for up to three days. Use vacuums for this.
  • Sweep up any grinding dust and place large scrap material in the designated scrap metal buckets or bins. 
  • Foundry users must scrape down, clean and sweep wax, ceramic shell and mold areas after usage.  After pouring all spent mold materials are your responsibility and must be disposed of properly.  Mold waste over 10 lbs must be taken to the dumpster.
  • Be Patient. Always let the machine come to a complete stop before removing scraps.
  • Daily clean up starts fifteen minutes before closing. Please help us by stopping work and helping clean up and sanitize tools you have used.

Material Storage

  • All material needs to be clearly labeled with the student’s name and semester.  (example: Barbour F2024)
  • All material should be kept in assigned areas. Please do not store material in corners, under radiators or leave on tables.
  • At the end of each semester, all remaining materials will become property of the metalshop.
  • Do not leave projects on tables overnight.
  • All large projects should be discussed with the shop Manager.

Tool Usage

  • Seek instruction and advice whenever needed. Never use a tool that you have not received specific instruction on the proper and safe use by instructors or shop staff.
  • Never force a tool into the material or vice versa. Every tool has an appropriate speed and rate of feed.
  • Pay attention to your body mechanics. Always stand with both feet firmly planted on the floor and in a position that will allow you to deal with operations appropriately. Never lean or sit on a tool.
  • Pay attention to fingers and keep them out of the line to be cut.
  • Use all or of your senses when using tools. Listen if the tool sounds ‘wrong’ (squeals, knocks), watch if the tool jumps or labors, and smell if the tool is off-gassing an unusual scent.  If any of these situations arise, Stop! You may be using it incorrectly or there may be a problem with the tool. Please notify shop staff or an instructor immediately.
  • Use the right tool for the job. Ask if you are uncertain. Do not force a tool or attachment into a use it cannot accomplish.
  • Secure work with table vise, bar clamps, etc.
  • Do not start motors with the blades touching the material.
  • Never leave a tool running unattended.
  • Do not perform set-up, layout or adjust settings with machine running. Turn the machine on only when ready to perform operations.
  • Always check machine settings before use. The previous user may have left the settings wrong or loose. Always reset the tool to its zero position when done.
  • Reduce the risk of unintentional starting. Make sure the power switch is in “OFF” position before plugging in power cords.
  • Make cuts with slow steady feed. Do not try to cut too quickly or abruptly. Always be prepared to stop the cut. 
  • Observe correct direction of feed. Feed into a blade or cutter against the direction of rotation of the blade or cutter only.
  • Do not use machine tables as work spaces.
  • Concentrate when using power tools! They can be very dangerous to you and those around you. It is very important that you are paying attention and following proper safety protocol.

Material Use

  • No reclaimed or found materials allowed.
  • If uncertain about using a material in the metal shop, always ask first.
  • Carbon fiber and fiberglass are not allowed in the shop. Tooling/sanding of these materials will release harmful fibers into the air and are prohibited.
  • No zinc plated or galvanized steel.  
  • No lead. Do not use any materials containing lead-based paints. If you are unsure about the composition of the painted materials, it will be assumed that the paint is lead based.
  • Rebar or Reinforcement Steel is hardened and not allowed to be cut on any of the floor tools (Bandsaws, cold cut saw etc.).  Abrasive cut-off tools and saws can be used to cut Rebar. 

Tool Check Out

  • There is NO tool check out in the Metalshop + Foundry.
  • You must receive special permission to remove a tool from the shop.
  • If permission is granted, you are responsible for the tools that you check out. If equipment is lost, stolen or damaged while it is under your care, you are responsible for the replacement.

Tool Maintenance

  • Do not use dull or damaged blades. If the cut is difficult, stop cutting and alert the shop staff.
  • Please do not attempt to fix tools. 
  • If you think there is a problem with any equipment, please notify a staff or student technician.

Spray Booth (in the Wood Shop)

  • Do not use the spray booth unless the exhaust is running. Notify Shop personnel if exhaust is not operational.
  • Mix and leave all substances with harmful vapors in the spray booth until fully cured or catalyzed. This includes paint, Bondo (auto body fillers), spot putty, contact adhesives, etc.
  • Do not bring electric cords, power tools, or work lamps into the spray booth. These may produce sparks which can ignite flammable materials.
  • Spray paint must not be stored in the spray booth. Any cans left in the booth will be discarded.
  • Do not test paint on walls.
  • Use a drying rack for drying projects. Do not leave projects on spray tables.
  • Spray in designated areas only.