26 technology and engineering teacher May/June 2017 safety spotlight S afety Spotlight encourages the submission of ques- tions, and this month’s topic comes from a concern raised by the New Jersey Technology and Engineer- ing Educators Association (NJTEEA): During the Industrial Arts era the content of our courses was very definitive regard- ing tool usage and vocational skill development. Now tools are becoming "safer" and are found in nontraditional spaces such as library or media center makerspaces. What are the risks of placing hazardous equipment (e.g., 3D printer, laser cutter, CNC router, etc.) in a non-T&E lab under the supervi- sion of teachers not certified to teach T&E education? Thank you NJTEEA for raising this important question. This scenario is becoming more prevalent in schools, libraries/ media centers, and community centers across the country. As the maker movement and STEM/STEAM/STREAMS con- tinue to gain traction, we have noticed more makerspaces and STEM/STEAM/STREAMS Labs emerging in non-T&E laboratory settings. This poses a number of potentially seri- ous safety issues. Tools and Equipment The first issue school administrators and teachers must understand is that no tool or machine is 100% safe. Al- though tools and machines today may seem “safer” than the industrial-size models of the past, they still can cause seri- ous damage. This is why appropriate engineering controls, personal protective equipment (PPE), teacher training, ad- ministrative safety protocols/standard operating procedures, security, and supervision are critical. Personal Protective Equipment With the operation of hazardous tools and equipment, the proper PPE must be selected and used to protect all individuals in the room (e.g., safety glasses). Selection of appropri- ate personal protective equipment should be based on the 3As: hazards Analysis, risks Assessment, and ap- propriate safety Action (Roy, 2017). safety and liability issues by Tyler S. Love and Ken R. Roy tools and equipment in nontraditional spaces: Locking tool cabinet. Photo courtesy of Virginia Tech. What are the risks of placing hazardous equipment (e.g., 3D printer, laser cutter, CNC router, etc.) in a non-T&E lab under the supervision of teachers not certified to teach T&E education?