GENERAL SHOP SAFETY, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES
FUSE Makerspace is committed to providing a safe environment for all guests (i.e., members, workshop participants, visitors, and anyone else in FUSE Makerspace at any time).
Safety requirements for different shop areas are posted in that area. The safety policies and procedures below are designed to assist in keeping everyone at FUSE as safe as possible. Safety is crucial. If you are unsure of how to safely do something, ask questions. Trained staff members are available to assist. Be aware of your environment and those sharing the space. Communication when working with dangerous equipment makes for a safer environment for everyone.
Guests must treat each other, staff, and instructors with respect and adhere to the Central New Mexico Community College’s Student Code of Conduct. In addition to the protocols laid out in the code of conduct, FUSE guests must abide by the following policies:
• Misuse of equipment can result in loss of access to the Makerspace.
• No making or enhancing of any weapon or functional accessory for a weapon, including but not limited to knives, axes, explosives, or firearms.
• Guests may only bring in select personal equipment including hand tools (chisels, handsaws, etc.), personal protective equipment (PPE), and small power tools such as angle grinders, palm sanders, pneumatic tools, etc. FUSE cannot accommodate the use of personal equipment such as welders, table saws, equipment that requires 220v power or higher, and other such large equipment.
• All tools must remain in the shop. FUSE does not rent or loan tools.
• Substance and alcohol use are prohibited in all CNM facilities, on all CNM property, and in any CNM-owned vehicle. This includes FUSE Makerspace. CNM and CNM Ingenuity prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance in the workplace or while on duty. Members may not enter the facility impaired nor use banned substances on-site. Anyone under the influence of drugs, alcohol, and certain medications is not allowed to be at the Makerspace or use any equipment.
• Do not make any alterations to equipment, tables, or other FUSE property without permission or supervision of staff.
• Automotive repair is prohibited at FUSE.
Guests must dress appropriately and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times.
• Safety glasses must be worn on the shop floor.
• When using the angle grinder, safety glasses and a face shield must be worn together.
• Closed-toe shoes must be worn at all times, in all areas.
• Gloves cannot be worn in the woodshop, nor while operating the mill, lathe, belt sander, or bench grinders. They are a snag hazard.
• In areas that involve working open flames and elevated temperatures (welding, plasma table), long-sleeved shirts and long pants are recommended. Clothing should be made from natural fibers such as cotton or leather.
• Snag hazards such as jewelry, wedding rings, hoodie strings, baggie clothes, et cetera, must be removed, and long hair must be tied back.
FUSE Makerspace is happy to welcome visitors that are not members or workshop participants to visit the space. A staff member can give a tour if time and conditions allow. If one cannot be given the day of the visit, the visitor can set-up another time to come back. Visitors are not allowed to use tools or equipment, except as part of a scheduled workshop. Visitors must abide by all policies and procedures in this document, observe all safety requirements, and follow instructions of FUSE Makerspace employees.
FUSE Makerspace may immediately terminate the rights granted to guests if they violate any policy or rule outlined in this document or posted, or for any other reason consistent with FUSE’s values or best business practices. Violators will be asked to leave and members may have their membership suspended or terminated. Any fees paid will be forfeited if termination occurs.
Accessibility
CNM and CNM Ingenuity (CNMI, of which FUSE is a component) are committed to making all of its programs accessible for members and learners. If you require specific accommodations to access FUSE, please notify us at info@fusemakerspace.org as far in advance as possible to allow time to collaborate with CNM’s Accessibility Services. Accessibility Services assists learners with documented physical, mental, learning, visual, speech, or hearing disabilities to access programs offered through CNM and CNMI. To receive accommodations, FUSE members and learners must provide their FUSE instructors with CNM Accessibility Services documentation; accommodations are not retroactive and are not arranged prior to receiving documentation from Accessibility Services.
Pets
Guests are not allowed to bring pets into the space during open hours. Exceptions are:
• Animals in crates are allowed on a case-by-case basis. Please ask a staff member for permission before bringing your crated animal into the space.
• Service animals trained to perform a task directly related to a person’s disability.
ADDITIONAL POLICIES & PROCEDURES RELATED TO MEMBERSHIPS
Terms
A membership term begins at the time of purchase. This agreement begins on the membership effective date and will continue through the duration of the membership. All membership cancellations must be received by email to info@fusemakerspace.org at least 5 days prior to the beginning of the final month of membership. The payment processor retains a 3% fee that is non-refundable and will take 3-5 business days for the system to process the refund to your card. Max memberships are non-refundable.
Building Access
Regular members have access to FUSE during its regular business hours posted at fusemakerspace.org and on the front door.
Max members have access to the space 24/7. These Members will be issued a FUSE Membership Card, and are required to scan-in whenever entering the facility after hours. Up to five individuals may share a single Max Membership, but only two may work in the shop at the same time. The membership card may not be shared with anyone not on the membership, nor with anyone under the age of eighteen.
FUSE is typically closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Native American Heritage Day, and the following weekend, and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Check the FUSE Makerspace Google Listing or contact us for exact dates, as they are subject to change. If CNM is closed or delayed due to inclement weather, FUSE will be as well. Only those with a Max Membership will have access.
Equipment Usage
Before using any equipment, all members must 1) Successfully complete the required Operations and Safety Training, or 2) Successfully complete a qualification assessment with a FUSE employee, or 3) have received approved credit-for-prior-learning from a FUSE employee.
Members must reserve equipment using the Booking Calendar. Additional policies and procedures related to equipment reservations are listed there.
Cleanliness and Storage
Members are expected to thoroughly clean their work area and any equipment used at the end of their session, and to put away or take home any project materials.
FUSE Makerspace has a limited amount of free, short-term storage space as well as a number of storage lockers available for longer term rental.
Projects and materials not in a locker may be stored with a tag in a designated project storage area for up to seven days. Projects with a blue tag past the seven-day mark must be updated by a staff member or will be tagged with an abandonment tag. Projects or materials with an abandonment tag must be removed within seven days.
Items considered harmful to others may not be stored anywhere at FUSE. This includes but is not limited to any flammables, explosives, radioactive materials, hazardous wastes or materials, toxic wastes or materials, or other similar substances, petroleum products or derivatives or any substance (collectively "Hazardous Materials") subject to regulation by or under any federal, state, and local laws and ordinances relating to the protection of the environment or the keeping, use or disposition of environmentally hazardous materials, substances, or wastes, presently in effect or hereafter adopted, all amendments to any of them, and all rules and regulations issued pursuant to any of such laws or ordinances (collectively "Environmental Laws"). It also includes firearms, gunpowder, primers, weapons, or assembled ammunition.
Projects and materials must be stored neatly within the confined space assigned to the member. Anything left outside of a designated storage area will be considered donated.
Any materials ordered by members and delivered to FUSE must be received by the person who ordered them, during open hours. FUSE staff is not able to receive personal materials ordered by a member.
Consumables
In addition to the membership fee, members are responsible for paying for certain consumables, including but not limited to any ink, sheet vinyl, vinyl blades, propane used for the powdercoating oven, 3D printer filament, and sanding discs. FUSE maintains a small inventory of these items for sale. Pricing may fluctuate based on current market conditions. Consumables must be paid for at the time of use, or, if used outside of normal operating hours, the next business day. Payment is accepted by credit card only.
If you plan to bring your own consumables, please check with staff first to ensure compatibility.
Minors
Members who are minors under the age of 18 must have this waiver of liability form signed by a parent or legal guardian. Parents/legal guardians are responsible for their children and their actions.
Members aged 12-15 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or designated adult at all times and are not allowed to have keys to the space. They are not permitted to use any of the woodworking or metalworking equipment with or without supervision.
Members aged 16-17 may use woodworking and metalworking equipment only with direct supervision of a parent, legal guardian, or authorized adult. They may use most other equipment independently.
Both the minor and the parent, legal guardian, or designated adult supervising them must be approved to use equipment following the guidelines above.
Members who do not follow these practices may be subject to having their memberships terminated or suspended immediately, without recompense, as written above.
ADDITIONAL POLICIES & PROCEDURES RELATED TO WORKSHOPS
Workshop Cancellations, Transfers, Refunds, Tardiness, and No-Shows
Email info@fusemakerspace.org as soon as possible if you need to cancel or transfer your registration. Workshops frequently sell out in advance, and early notification allows us to offer a spot to someone else. We will refund or transfer your registration as long as you cancel at least 24 hours before the workshop begins. No-shows and cancellations not received at least 24 hours before the training will not be refunded or rescheduled. Our payment processor retains a 3% fee that is non-refundable, and it will take 3-5 business days for the system to process the refund to your card.
If taking a workshop using grant funds, we still require 24 hours’ notice for cancellation and transfer requests. Learners using grant funds may transfer up to one workshop to a different session of the same workshop so long as we receive 24 hours’ notice. If we do not receive 24 hours’ notice, the learner will be unenrolled from any subsequent workshops that they're registered for and will not be eligible for additional funding.
If you are running late, call the FUSE front office at 505-224-3873. Late arrivals disrupt class and impact the experience of other participants. If you will be more than 15 minutes late, let us know, we will work to accommodate you on a case-by-case basis. You will be considered a no-show if you are more than 15 minutes late and have not called. You will not be refunded and will not be allowed to join the workshop.
If a workshop is cancelled due to inclement weather or another unforeseen issue, an employee will reach out to you about rescheduling and refund options.
Appropriate Attire
Check the workshop listing for mandatory and advisable clothing and PPE, in addition to the information listed above. Clothing and PPE listed as mandatory must be worn or used while working with that equipment or participating in that workshop. Clothing and PPE listed as advisable is a suggestion but not mandatory. Some clothing and PPE may be available for loan or sale.
Guests will not be allowed to participate in the workshop if their attire is inappropriate, and they will be not be issued a refund.
Minors in Workshops
Minors 12 through 15 years of age are permitted to attend when under the direct supervision of a parent, legal guardian or designated adult that is enrolled in the workshop alongside of the minor.
Minors 16 through 17 years of age may take all workshops independently, but metal shop, welding, and woodshop programmatic workshops.
Parents, legal guardians, or designated adults must pay for their seat when in-class supervision is required (exceptions may be made for adults who have completed the workshop previously).
RIGHTS OF PUBLICITY
Guests grant FUSE Makerspace the right to photograph and record guest and guest’s materials and projects and to use, copy, modify, publish, and distribute such photographs and recordings without compensation to the guest(s).
Guest also hereby releases, discharges, and agrees to hold harmless FUSE Makerspace, CNM Ingenuity, Inc. and Central New Mexico Community College, its employees, insurers, affiliated entities and agents from any liability by virtue of any blurring, distortion, alteration, optical illusion, or use in composite form whether intentional or otherwise, that may occur or be produced in the taking of said picture or in any subsequent processing thereof, as well as any publication thereof.
Rules and policies are subject to change. Changes will be posted through the membership site, fusemakerspace.org, and posted in the space.
By signing below, I acknowledge the receipt of the policy and procedures for FUSE Makerspace. I understand I am responsible for my actions while in the space or at sponsored events. Any violation may lead to suspension or termination of my membership immediately.
WAIVER OF LIABILITY & RELEASE
I, in consideration for receiving permission to participate at FUSE Makerspace or a FUSE Makerspace event hereby RELEASE, WAIVE, DISCHARGE, AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE, FUSE Makerspace, CNM Ingenuity Inc. or Central New Mexico Community College, their employees, insurers, affiliated entities, or agents (hereinafter referred to as “RELEASEES”) from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions and causes of action whatsoever arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by me, or any of the property belonging to me. Whether caused by the negligence of the Releases, or otherwise, while participating in such activity, or while in, on or upon the premises where the activity is being conducted.
I am fully aware of the unusual risks involved and hazards connected with certain activities and materials used at FUSE Makerspace. I hereby elect to voluntarily participate in the activities within FUSE Makerspace with full knowledge that said activity may be hazardous to me and my property. I VOLUNTARILY AND KNOWINGLY ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY RISKS OF LOSS, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY, INCLUDING DEATH, that may be sustained by me, or any loss or damage of property owned by me, as a result of being engaged in such activity, whether caused by the action, inaction, or negligence of the Releasees, or otherwise.
I further hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Releasees from any claim, loss, liability, damage or costs, including court costs and attorney fees, that they may incur due to my participation in said activities, whether caused by the action, inaction or negligence of the Releasees, or otherwise.
It is my express intent that this Waiver of Liability and Hold Harmless Agreement shall bind the members of my family and spouse, if I am alive, and my heirs, assigns and personal representative, if I am deceased, and shall be deemed as a RELEASE, WAIVER, DISCHARGE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE the above-named Releasees.
IN SIGNING THIS RELEASE, I ACKNOWLEDGE AND REPRESENT THAT I have read the foregoing Waiver of Liability and Hold Harmless Agreement, understand it and sign it voluntarily as my own free act and deed; no oral representations, statements, or inducements, apart from the foregoing written agreement, have been made; I am at least eighteen (18) years of age and fully competent (or I am having my parent or legal guardian sign with me); and I execute this Release for full, adequate and complete consideration fully intending to be bound by same.
This Release is governed by New Mexico law. If any of the provisions of this Agreement are found to be unenforceable, the remainder shall be enforced as fully as possible and the unenforceable provision(s) shall be deemed modified to the limited extent required to permit enforcement of the Agreement as a whole.
I have read this Waiver of Liability carefully and am signing it voluntarily.
| 