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Get Certified

How to get certified to use the Makerspace Equipment.

Introduction

The Rockville Makerspace and Tool Library currently offers one certification in Woodshop Safety, which is required for anyone before they use the tools in the Woodshop.

The certification process is still under active development and subject to change.

Future certification tracks are planned for wood turning and metal work.

General Format:

The steps to get certified include:

  1. Home study of required documents and videos
  2. Submit an open-book quiz, with 100% score to makerspace@rockvillesciencecenter.org with the Subject "Safety Certification Quiz".
  3. Schedule an in-person check via email. The in-person check consists of
    1. A multiple choice exam (closed book). Must get 100% correct
    2. After passing the exam, doing an In-Person Skills Check with a Makerspace instructor

Current Certifications Offered:

  • Woodshop Safety -- Certifies user in the safe operation of the Band Saw, Drill Press, Disc/Belt Sander, and Scroll Saw with Wood. 
  • (Proposal only) New Equipment Certification -- Certify to use equipment which we don't have a procedure for yet.

Safety Certification Policies

  • There is no time limit on the multiple choice exam.
  • Reasonable test taking accommodations can be discussed ahead of time with the safety instructor.
  • Members will get the chance to retake the Multiple Choice certification exam or in-person skills check after learning what they got wrong and what to go back and study. The retake must be scheduled for at least one week later, and with a different instructor.
  • After a second attempt at the certification exam, in order to ensure a deep knowledge of safety policies, further attempts of the exam are allowed only after a cooling-off period of at least one month, and proof positive of further study, including taking classes, shadowing certified users, or other actions at the instructor's discretion.   

Woodshop Safety Certification:

THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION: All of the links should work now -- please contact Patrick on Slack if you find anything that needs to be improved.

To become certified in the use of the Band Saw, Drill Press, Belt/Disk Sander, and Scroll Saw for use with wood, please complete the following:

    Home study

    of

    Read these required documents and videoswatch

      these required videos.

      General Shop Safety Self-Study

      1. General Shop Safety Video
      2. Woodshop Rules Document
      3. Facility Safety Plan Document
      Drill Press Self-Study
      1. Drill Press Safety Video
      2. Drill Press Manual Document
      Bandsaw Self-Study
      1. Bandsaw Safety Video
      2. Bandsaw Manual Document
      Disc/Belt Sander Self-Study
      1. Disc/Belt Sander Safety Video
      2. Disc/Belt Sander Manual Document
      Scroll Saw Self-Study
      1. Scroll Saw Safety Video
      2. Scroll Saw Manual Document

      Self-Study

      Quizzes

      Complete the Self-Study Quiz on each topic, making sure that every answer is complete and correct. You can choose to either complete them while watching the videos and reading the manuals, or after reading and watching, whichever method will better help you learn the material.

      1. General Shop Safety Quiz
      2. Drill Press Safety Quiz
      3. Bandsaw Safety Quiz
      4. Disc/Belt Sander Quiz
      5. Scroll Saw Safety Quiz

      Submit the quizzes to makerspace@rockvillesciencecenter.org with the Subject "Safety Certification Quiz".

      We will email back with your quiz result, and pending 100% correct completion of the quiz, we'll schedule an in-person check with an instructor. This check consists of:

      1. A multiple choice exam (closed book). Must get 100% correct.

        correct to continue.

      2. After passing the exam, doing anAn In-Person Skills Check on the equipment with a Makerspace instructor.

      New Equipment Certification (proposal):

      If you would like to use a different piece of equipment besides what we offer here, here is our temporary proceedure:

      1. If you have not already, complete the Woodshop Safety Certification above.
      2. Email makerspace@rockvillesciencecenter.org with the subject, "New Equipment Certification" and email body containing:
        1. The make and model of the equipment you'd like to use at the makerspace which is requires safety certification, and tool library inventory number if it exists.
        2. The user manual of this make and model (can be attached as a file or linked)
        3. A video, which you have watched, demonstrating safe operation of that type of equipment (can be attached as a file or linked)
        4. No fewer than five open ended "quiz questions" and their answers, on the subject of safety guidelines for the equipment. The questions should be answerable by reading the manual and/or watching the video.
      3. We will respond to your email with follow up instructions, including an in-person check with this equipment.
      4. This proposal needs to be confirmed by the Makerspace Manager before it can be used. Check back to see if this has occurred.
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