Virginia Tech

College of Engineering, Department of Engineering Education

Frith First-Year Engineering Design Laboratory

Policy Manual

Academic Year 2018-2019

This policy manual serves the purpose of providing a comprehensive document

containing rules and regulations for the proper use of the Frith First-Year Engineering
Design Laboratory (Frith Lab) including all materials, equipment, and resources contained
therein.

All Frith Lab students, participating faculty, and lab employees are required to have
a copy of this manual in paper or electronic format and to be familiar with its
contents.

Students working at the Frith Lab from other schools, universities, or organizations must
receive a copy of this policy manual in paper or electronic form and be familiar with its
contents. Visiting students must receive permission from the Lab Supervisor prior to
working in this facility.
Table of Contents
Introduction

Section 1 – Access to Frith Lab

Section 2 – Frith Lab Policy and Safety Certifications

Section 3 – Proper Use of Frith Lab Facility

Section 4 – Safety Guidelines

Appendix A – Hazard Communication Plan

Appendix B - 3D printing Approval Instructions

Appendix C – Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for Randolph Hall

Appendix D – Fire Alarm Policy

Introduction
The Frith First-Year Engineering Design Laboratory at Virginia Tech (known as the Frith
Lab) is divided into four work/administrative areas. These areas include:

1. Foyer
2. Main Room
3. Back Room
4. Office

The Frith Lab is a secure facility equipped with surveillance cameras with activity being
continuously recorded.

This document specifies rules pertaining to each area along with regulations applying to
all areas. In addition, this policy contains rules pertaining to the proper use of Frith Lab
equipment.

Personnel
Director William Michael Butler, Ph.D. 540-231-0335 wm.butler1@vt.edu

Supervisors Roderick La Foy 540-231-4642 frithlab@vt.edu

Elizabeth Mack 434-806-5504 emack434@vt.edu

The lab is also staffed with Undergraduate and Graduate Lab Assistants (ULA’s and
GLA’s, respectively).

Hours of Operation
The Frith Lab ‘open’ times, staffed by a GLA or ULA, are posted on the door and on the
Frith Lab Canvas page, and are subject to change based on staff schedules. The lab
hours will change throughout the week and the year. Additionally the lab will be closed
for all official university holidays and during any university closures due to inclement
weather.

Groups wanting to tour the facility may also visit at this time. Tours are scheduled and
conducted by the Frith Lab Supervisor or Lab Assistants.

The Frith Lab may be reserved for scheduled ENGE 1215 and ENGE 1216 classes, and
at other times by special arrangement.

During these times no GLA or ULA will be scheduled for the lab (unless prior
arrangements are made); it is the responsibility of the individual course instructor to have
been trained on any equipment to be used in the lab. If students are to use equipment,
training must be provided either in-class or during scheduled ‘open’ lab times. At no time
will the lab be available to students without approved supervision.

Lost and Found

The Frith Lab is not responsible for items left unattended and unsecured in the Frith Lab.
However, lost items may be turned in to the office. If you believe that you might have lost
an item in the Frith Lab, please describe the item in an email to the Lab Supervisor.

Section 1 – Access to Frith Lab

Main Room:
Frith Lab’s Main Room is open only to those of the Virginia Tech community who are
certified to work in the lab. Lab access is limited to Virginia Tech students, staff, and
faculty who, needing space to conduct approved project related work, meet the following
guidelines:
1. They must be a current student, staff, or faculty member of Virginia Tech, or
be granted permission by the Director or Supervisor.
2. Students must complete all required EHS safety training as described in
Appendix B in this manual
3. Students must also complete operational training (or instruction) on the
equipment they wish to use in the lab (also described in Appendix B).
4. Only first-year engineering students are allowed to use the Frith Lab.
The main room is intended for project work primarily. It is not a place for studying or
homework. Therefore, those who need tables for project work take precedence over those
who are using tables for study or homework.

Foyer:
Unlike the main room, the foyer is open 24 hours a day.

This room contains whiteboards, chairs, desks, sofas, tables, etc. Frith Lab students are
invited to use this space for group meetings or studying.

Back Room:
The back room is used for storage of Frith Lab supplies and equipment for lab and class
activities. Storage of student supplies is not permitted. Access to the room is reserved to
Frith Lab staff only.

Office:
Students are not allowed into the office without being accompanied by a Virginia Tech
staff or faculty member. As a courtesy, students must knock before entering
administrative office areas.

Access to the Frith Lab

Instructions
Everyone who needs to access the Frith Lab is required to join the Frith Lab Canvas site.
At the beginning of each term, those enrolled in ENGE 1215, ENGE 1216, and ENGE
1414 will be added to the site automatically in anticipation that these people will use the
lab during the year. Others faculty or students in the College of Engineering send an email
to the Lab Supervisor requesting access - but access to non-first-year students is not
allowed. First-year engineering students are allowed to use the lab for non-class
purposes.

In order to gain access to the Frith Lab, everyone must complete basic safety training
with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). This training is offered online, and should
take no more than about two hours to complete.

Only the EHS training and complying with all lab regulation are required for general lab
use. However, many tool in the Frith Lab require additional training within the lab.

1. Before working in the Frith Lab, you must complete and pass the following (3)
EHS classes. These are offered online at <https://www.ehss.vt.edu/train.php>
and may be completed at your convenience.
2. The three classes required for the Frith Lab are:
○ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Awareness
○ Hand and Power Tool Safety (Under the Machine Shop Safety
Heading)
○ Hazard Assessments

Note: The online EHS Hand and Power Tool Safety course does not authorize
students to use the power tools in the Frith Lab. Students are required to take
an additional in-person Power Tool training session within the Frith Lab to use
the power tools within the lab.

3. In order to view your EHS training requirements, log into your Training Profile
(using your PID and Password) and click “View Training Profile”:
Link: http://www.ehss.vt.edu/training/
4. When registering for your first class, you must complete a short online
registration form. On this form, you must select a department from a drop down
list. This department should be your home academic department (if you have
already been accepted into an academic department). If you are a first-year
student and have not been accepted into another academic department, then
you should select “Engineering Education, General.”
5. Once EHS training is complete, you may sign up for additional in person
training. Prior training or certification on any controlled use tools does not grant
access to those tools in the Frith Lab - in person training in the Frith Lab must
be completed.
 6. Training sessions will be scheduled via the Frith Lab Canvas Site. Check the
schedule using the Calendar option on canvas when you are ready to begin
hands-on training in the Frith Lab.
7. In order to view or sign up for training, you must be added to the Frith Lab
Canvas site.
8. These training sessions will be scheduled throughout each term depending on
demand and instructor availability. You need only sign up for training on the
particular equipment that you wish to use in the lab.
9. Students may only sign up for a particular training in the Frith Lab a single time.
If a student misses a training, there is no guarantee that that training will be
offered to the student.

Section 2-
Frith Lab Policy and Safety
Certifications
The procedures below must be followed for students working on Frith Lab projects and
needing access to the Frith Lab facility.

Equipment:

General Use Tools:

The following tools do not require additional operational training to use and are known as
general use tools:

1. Oculus Rifts
2. Leap Motions
3. FLIR Thermal Imaging Cameras
4. Arduinos
5. 3D Scanner
6. Unpowered hand tools

Controlled Use Tools:

The lab consists of a multitude of hand tools and accessories, as well as the following
types of equipment which require training. All students who wish to work in the Frith Lab
are required to complete a scheduled training program on this equipment; these tools are
known as controlled use tools and include:

1. Universal Laser System PLS475 engraver/cutter (1)

2. Full Spectrum Laser Pro-Series engraver/cutter (1)
3. Instron 5967 30 kN tensile/compressive testing machine (1)
4. CNC Routers (Denford 2600 Pro and Roland MDX-40A, 1 each)
5. Soldering stations (2)
6. Drill Press (1)
7. Scroll Saw (1)
8. Skill (circular) saw
9. Hand drills
10. Jigsaw
11. Reciprocating saw

To schedule trainings, students sign up for in person training sessions from the Frith Lab
Canvas website.

Restricted Use Tools:

Students are not allowed to use restricted use tools in the Frith Lab.
The following tools are restricted use:
1. UPrint Rapid Prototyping Machines (4)
2. Stratasys Clean Station (1)
3. Objet Polyjet 3D Printer (1)
4. Formlabs Form 2 3D Printer (1)
5. Waterjet Cleaning Station (1)

Training:

Sign-up training programs for equipment will be offered during ‘open’ times and may be
offered during other hours, depending on demand and ULA schedules.

Students will be able to sign up for training sessions online via the Frith Canvas site.
General Rules of the Frith:
Prior to checking in to lab:
1. Students must have completed the 3 EHS training prior to coming to the lab
2. Students must have a printed badge with the trainings they have completed and
the badge must be worn in an easily visible location at all times. Students are not
allowed to print the training badge in the lab.
3. The badge must accurately reflect the trainings students have completed.
Misrepresenting completed trainings may result in permanent expulsion from the
lab.
4. Students should be wearing the badge in a visible location prior to checking in to
the lab.
5. Students must put on safety glasses prior to checking in to the lab.

Attire for the lab

6. Closed toe shoes must be worn at all times
7. Safety glasses must be worn at all times
8. Loose clothing and lanyards should not be worn in the lab

Using the Lab

9. The lab is for first-year engineering students only
10. Students must have completed trainings for any controlled use equipment.
11. Students must clean up any sawdust, glue, or other sources of mess before they
leave the lab. This includes throwing away any scrap materials.
12. Students must immediately report any damaged or broken equipment to the lab
staff.
13. Students must comply with all printed signage in the lab.
14. Students must comply with all instructions from lab staff.
15. Student are not allowed to prop open or use the back door to the lab.
16. Students are not allowed to store any materials in the lab.
17. The lab staff is not responsible for any student’s personal items.
18. Students are required to both check in and check out from the lab any time they
visit.
19. Students are not allowed to remove any materials or tools from the lab without
express staff permission. Removing tools from the lab without permission may
result in permanent expulsion from the lab.
20. Students are not allowed in the back room.
 21. Students must follow General Tool Use, Controlled Tool Use, Restricted Tool Use
guidelines
22. The lab has a capacity of 55 students, after this number is reached no additional
students can enter the lab.
23. The lab works on a first come first serve basis, there is no priority given.
24. Students must return all tools to their proper place before leaving the lab.
25. The Frith Lab does not directly work with any classes and cannot help students
with any assignment specific questions.

Failure to comply with these rules can result in a temporary or permanent ban from the
Frith Lab. Exceptions will not be made due to any assigned class work.

Section 3 –
Proper Use of Frith Lab Facility
Personal Protective Equipment and the Buddy System

Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn when working in the Frith
Lab. Students not wearing appropriate PPE will not be allowed lab access. Closed toe
shoes (“street shoes”) are required when working with shop tools.

If you do not have the appropriate PPE for a specific procedure, contact the Frith Lab
Supervisor or a Lab Assistant to obtain necessary safety gear.

Safety Glasses

Wearing safety glasses is required at all times while working in the Frith Lab.

Respirators

Any respiratory protection being used by a student or worker in the Frith Lab must be
approved by Virginia Tech’s Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Office. Use of a
nuisance dust mask does not require approval from EHS.
Any student or employee needing a respirator must be trained and fit tested. Prior to
performing any task requiring a respirator, one must first acquire project approval from
the Lab Supervisor, who will ensure that proper training and proper safety procedures are
followed.

First Aid Kits and Fire Extinguishers

First aid kits and fire extinguishers are not to be blocked. If blocked, move material to at
least three feet directly away from the front of the kit or extinguisher. If a first aid kit is
missing items or a fire extinguisher needs refilling inform the Frith Lab Supervisor
immediately.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Frith Lab policy governing safety data sheets is found in its Hazard Communication Plan
which is included in this policy in Appendix A. Please refer to that section for more
information. The SDS are available to students on the Frith Lab Canvas site as well as in
binders in the Frith Lab.

Hazard Control
Equipment guards are designed to keep the user safe during machine operation and
should not be in a non-protective position or removed anytime the machine is running.
Adjusting guards away from their protective position or removing them while a machine
is running will result in permanent loss of Frith Lab privileges.

Housekeeping
The lab is to be keep clean at all times. Spills are to be cleaned off of the floor immediately
to prevent slipping hazards.
Emergency exits, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and emergency cut-off switches must
be unobstructed and accessible at all times.
No material is to be stored above the lowest point of the sprinkler system in the ceiling (in
rooms where sprinklers exist).
Extension cords must be plugged directly into house wiring and must be unplugged after
use.
No daisy chaining of power strips or extension cords is allowed.
If any Frith Lab equipment has frayed electrical cords, ask the Frith Lab Supervisor for a
repair or a replacement.
Section 5 –
Safety Guidelines
General Safety

1. Never work unsupervised. A lab assistant, lab supervisor, or faculty member

must be present in the lab all times during your work.
2. Do not operate any piece of equipment before getting cleared by the current
supervisor, even if you are certified to use it.
3. Never work while impaired. This includes times when you are too tired,
stressed, intoxicated or otherwise inhibited from exercising proper caution.
4. Wear all necessary protective gear and clothing. Eye protection is required
for all powered or hand tools.
5. Never leave a machine unattended during operation.

In Case of Emergency

1. The two (2) CNC routers and the Instron tensile/compressive frame have
emergency stop buttons that will shut off the machinery. If an emergency arises
during machine operation press one of these buttons before attempting to
assist injured person(s).
2. If there is an emergency in the lab – CALL 911!
3. There is a phone located on the front desk of the lab near the entry door.

Appendix A – Hazard
Communication Plan
Objective
The objective of the Frith First-Year Engineering Design Laboratory (Frith Lab) Hazard
Communication Program is to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration’s (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, to
ensure information about the dangers of all hazardous chemicals used by the Frith Lab
is known by all who make use of the lab, and to ensure that safe handling procedures
and measures are used.
This program applies to all work operations where one may be exposed to hazardous
chemicals under normal working conditions or during an emergency situation. Everyone
who uses the Frith Lab will participate in the Hazard Communication (HazCom) Program.
This HazCom Plan is part of the Frith Lab Policy Manual which is available on the Frith
Lab Canvas site for review by any interested employee or student.

Assignment of Responsibilities
1. Identification of Personnel

Director Dr. Michael Butler 231-0335 wm.butler1@vt.edu

Supervisors Mr. Roderick La Foy 231-4642 frithlab@vt.edu
Elizabeth Mack 434-806-5504 emack434@vt.edu

Program Administrator
The Director will manage the Hazard Communication Plan for the Frith Lab, maintain all
records pertaining to the plan, including reviewing and updating this plan as necessary
and facilitating training.
 Management
The Director will ensure each affected person understands and follows the Hazard
Communication Plan through orientation, training, job performance reviews, and
disciplinary action. The Frith Lab will provide all necessary information, equipment and
personnel to comply with this Plan.
Managers
Supervisors should ensure that affected personnel are trained in and use proper work
practices, chemical labels, Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), personal protective equipment,
and proper cleanup procedures regarding leaks and spills.
Employees and Students
Employees and students are responsible for employing proper work practices, using
personal protective equipment, understanding chemical labels & SDSs and
cleanup/disposal procedures as described in this plan. They are also responsible for
reporting all exposure, leak and spill incidents to the Supervisor immediately or as soon
as possible.
Contractors
Contract employees will be responsible for complying with this plan, and will be
responsible for providing the training described herein.

Container Labeling/Other Forms of Warning

All primary and secondary containers are labeled and classified. Students can find a list of all
chemicals in the lab in the Hazcom plan and with the Safety Data Sheets, which are made
available to them on canvas and hard copies can be found in the Frith.

Hazardous Chemicals List

The Hazardous Chemicals List is compiled and maintained by the Lab Supervisor.
This list of all known hazardous chemicals used by employees or students (or stored in
this facility) is maintained on the Frith Lab Canvas site
(https://canvas.vt.edu/courses/11496/pages/safety-data-sheets). This list includes only
the name of the chemical and provides a link to the associated SDS. This list is also
available to students as hard copies in the Frith Lab

Safety Data Sheets

The Director is responsible for establishing and monitoring the department Safety Data
Sheet (SDS) program. He/she will ensure procedures are followed to obtain the
necessary SDSs and will review incoming SDSs for new or significant health and safety
information. The Director will see that any new information is communicated to affected
employees and students. The SDS are available to students on the Frith Lab Canvas site
and are also available to students as hard copies in the Frith Lab.

HazCom Plan Availability and Annual Review

A copy of this plan will be made available to employees and students on the Frith Lab
canvas site and per request of any individual. Any changes to the department's chemical
processes will be updated in this Hazard Communication Plan as necessary and at least
annually on or around June 15 to ensure the information is current.

HazCom Plan Revision Number

This version of the HazCom Plan is Revision 1.0.0, and is dated January 17, 2017.

Appendix B –
3D Printing Approval Instructions
3D printing using Frith Lab materials is reserved for first-year students in the College of
Engineering, and/or those currently enrolled in an Engineering Education (ENGE) class.
If you meet these conditions and wish to print items in the Frith Lab, please sign up for
the Frith Lab training titled “Design for 3D Printing” (see instructions in Appendix B). Once
you have completed this training, you may stop by the Frith Lab during normal open hours
and speak with a ULA about your 3D printing needs.

If approved, your part will be printed by Frith Lab staff and may take up to a week to
complete.

The part will be printed from an .stl file that you provide. This file should be the product of
your own personal design, and NOT something that you downloaded from any Internet
site or anything that you received from someone else.

Manufacturing parts using 3D printing costs the lab approximately $5.00 per cubic inch of
volume of the part - using the CNC router, laser cutter, or other tools to produce parts will
typically be much cheaper, much faster, and yield stronger parts.

There are three different types of 3D printers within the lab. There are three Stratasys
uPrint SE Plus printers, one Stratasys Objet 30 Prime printer, and one Formlabs Form 2
printer. These printers all have different properties, so speak to a lab staff member to
choose the appropriate printer for your application.

Appendix C –
Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for
Randolph Hall
The Building Emergency Coordinator (BEC) program was established to coordinate the
emergency preparedness and planning efforts among each of the campus buildings. The
BEC serves as an extension of the Office of Emergency Management in the
preparedness, response, and recovery phases of an emergency and serves as a central
point of contact, in which information can be exchanged, within and external to the
building. The BEC not only adds value to the building community, by serving in this
position, but also to the overall University.

Typically a campus building is occupied by multiple departments, making building‐ wide

communications difficult during normal operations, let alone during an emergency. Thus
the Building Emergency Coordinator (BEC) program also serves to assist first responders
and the Office of Emergency Management by developing a common, building‐ wide, plan
of action for emergencies that threaten life safety.

An additional role of the BEC is to serve as a single point of contact within each building
and allowing emergency planners to better disseminate pertinent emergency
preparedness information and plans throughout campus buildings. In addition,
emergency responders are provided with a single, knowledgeable point of contact, within
each building that can assist in contacting appropriate departmental personnel and
officials in case of an

emergency.

The Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for Randolph Hall may be downloaded by clicking this
link.

Appendix D – Fire Alarm Policy

The university occasionally conducts fire alarms in Randolph Hall. When these occur, the
policy of the lab is to cooperate in the drill, and to vacate the building. After evacuating
the building, assemble as indicated on the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for Randolph
Hall. This document is addressed in this Policy Manual and is available on the Frith Lab
Canvas site.

The most direct evacuation route is out the back door of the Frith Lab, through Hancock
Hall. Exit outside toward the Burke Johnston Student Center, and assemble at the
designated assembly point. The assembly point is outside near the corner of Burress Hall
that is nearest Hancock and Norris Halls (see page 8 of the EAP).