Safety Guidance

Undertaking Hazardous Tasks in the Dyson Centre

The Dyson Centre workshop is a place where you can undertake practical work that wouldn't be safe to do at home. We have experienced technicians ready to assist, and safety procedures that keep these risks under control.

Our Primary Rules Are

  • Wear safety glasses when you or anyone near you is doing
    • Cutting
    • Filing
    • Soldering
    • Chemical work
    • Using machines (except for Laser Cutters and 3D Printers)
  • No running
  • No kneeling or sitting on the floor
  • Turn drills off at the wall when changing the bit
  • Turn off equipment and clear away tools and materials before you leave

 

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Risk Assessments

  • Each course that runs in the Dyson Centre will send you a risk assessment to read and sign
  • To use equipment without direct technician supervision, you'll need to read and sign the risk assessment for it.
  • Societies need to write a risk assessment for any hazardous processes they undertake. See the next section for guidance on how to do this.

How to Write a Risk Assessment

 

 

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Chemical Use and Storage

The Dyson Centre has a range of chemicals you can use for personal and society projects. Email dyson-helpdesk@eng.cam.ac.uk to see if we have what you need, or ask at the desk. Technicians will advise you of precautions when using that chemical.

When you buy chemicals to use in the Dyson Centre, you will need to write a risk assessment and fill out COSHH form before using or storing them here. 

  1. Download the COSHH form here
  2. Search online for the product safety data sheet as this will provide a lot of the information you need.
  3. Read the guide above to fill out a risk assessment for your activity.
  4. Email the COSHH form, the safety data sheet and a link to your risk assessment to dyson-helpdesk@eng.cam.ac.uk

Hazardous chemicals cannot be stored in the general cupboard space in the Dyson Centre. Ask a technician to place it one of our flame proof cabinets.

 

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Chemical Disposal

When hazardous chemicals that are owned by societies expire, or are no longer needed, they need to be disposed of using the following process

  1. Fill out a COSHH disposal spreadsheet. Search for the product safety data sheet online and you will find this process much easier
  2. Email the completed sheet to uk.uoc@tradebe.com and copy in dyson-helpdesk@eng.cam.ac.uk
  3. They will reply with a 4 digit number, usually called the WO number.
  4. Print the spreadsheet, write the WO number on it, put it with the chemical(s) your disposing of
  5. Place the chemicals and spreadsheet inside a protective container, like a cardboard box or airtight bag, and ask a technician to take them down to the chemical disposal cabinet. 

Email dyson-helpdesk@cam.ac.uk for assistance, or ask at the desk

 

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