Factor e Farm Guidelines

Working Environment

1. Anyone working in the workshop must follow Workshop Guidelines.
2. The Factor e Farm (FeF) is a complex, experimental, prototyping facility. We have many systems and tools as well as machines that do not behave as typical, standard commercial machines will. This means things here have the opportunity to become dangerous at a moments notice. Visitors and members of FeF are not allowed to tamper with any project that is not their own, or any project that they are not fully informed about due to safety concerns. This applies not only for themselves but for others around them, if you see an unsafe situation stop it immediately and inform an Executive Team member. Better safe than sorry!
3. There shall be absolutely no drinking of alcoholic beverages during working hours and especially when power tools are to be used.
4. As a matter of LIFE and SAFETY, alcohol, drugs, and all controlled substances are strictly forbidden in the workshop and during any construction or agriculture tasks. This should be obvious when power tools and machines are being used - but it also applies to any working environment where there are risks associated with moving, heavy, or falling objects.
5. If you see a need for a certain improvement, you may consult with an appropriate person (The Product Lead or another Executive Team member) to request an improvement. You may then help in making that improvement.
6. Workshop: Only authorized people are allowed in the workshop for reasons of safety. Children and individuals lacking a basic level of body awareness, or otherwise unfit to be present in a workshop, are not allowed.
7. You are not allowed to fix, use, or tamper with any of the systems, machines, or infrastructures unless you are pairing with an individual in authority or unless you are explicitly authorized to do so by the Product Lead or another Executive Team member.
8. You are not allowed to use any tool, powered or not, unless specifically trained to do so by the corresponding authority and have been given a Tool Control Number or TCN. If you have been trained but do not have a TCN you will not be authorized to use, check out or work with or on any equipment. Authorizations are listed at Authorized Tool Users List.
9. Hard hats, eye protection, and steel-toed shoes are required at all times when the workshop is being used for fabrication and prototyping.
10. Only approved gloves are allowed during drilling, milling, and lathing operations on the existing precision machining equipment.
11. Familiarize yourself with the location of the fire extinguisher and emergency aid kit in the workshop.
12. A typical working day involves a Scrum session from Noon to 6 PM every day in the workshop, where everyone is expected to work together and to cross-train. Everyone, including Farmers and Builders, are expected to join the daily Standup to report on their work: work done yesterday, work planned for today, and blocks encountered.
13. The workshop has twelve 16x16 foot bays, and suggested maximum capacity is 12 fabricators and 12 assistants working at the same time, plus Documenters, Designers, CAD people, and Flash Mob Managers.
14. You are allowed to use workshop materials or supplies only with permission, this is covered in more detail under tool control in the Workshop Guidelines.
15. Work areas must be cleaned after each day of work. Tools will be returned at the end of every work day with 100% accountability.
16. Noise in the workshop may be intense, so please do not cause any more than is necessary. The workshop may be broadcast live. Tele-conferencing, flash mobs, plus phone conversations are expected to become common during working hours. Due to the existing noise levels, the need for remote collaboration, and the diverse backgrounds of people in the workshop, broadcasting of music is not allowed without the approval of the Product Lead or one of the Executive Team members.
17. Because of the need for safety, earphones and mp3 players are not suggested. If you still insist on utilizing earphones and or Mp3 players you must first have the daily permission of the Product Lead or one of the Executive Team member AND have previously signed the Liability Release Waiver with explicit acknowledgment of releasing OSE from any responsibility to accidents caused due to your listening to music. This applies at all times in the workshop (whether or not there is ongoing machining activity).

Resource Conservation

1. Energy conservation is important, and the participant agrees to turn off lights and computers whenever not in use. In case of controversy regarding energy use, participant agrees to have their energy consumption measured with a Killawatt meter.
2. Desktop computers are not recommended on site due to their high energy consumption.
3. Second monitors are not allowed for laptops unless specifically agreed to otherwise in the participant's contract.
4. If listening to music at any time, participants may only use low energy devices (less than 1 watt) such as MP3 players or smart phones. Laptops or netbooks may not be used solely for the purpose of listening to music unless the computer is being used for other work.
5. Use LED lighting whenever possible, both for personal and facility lighting.
6. No incandescent light bulbs are allowed on site; fluorescent light bulbs or LEDs only.
7. Water-saving showerheads are to be used in the bathrooms.
8. Participants are encouraged to use washable cloths instead of paper-towels.
9. Participants are encouraged to use reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags.
10. Do not use any materials or supplies without checking with the proper individual or authority.
11. Do not use anti-septic soap or or pour any other anti-microbial substances in any of the water systems in order to keep the septic tank biota alive.
12. Any organic waste shall be put into the composting bin.
13. Recyclables are to be separated into plastic, glass, aluminum, and paper in the Recycling Center, to be taken to local recycling once 55 gallon drums are filled up. Paper is to be recycled in the compost pile or incinerated.
14. No plastic utensils or dishes are allowed on premises for reasons of waste minimization.

Living Environment

Please see [Factor e Farm Community Standards]

5S Methodology

1. The FeF utilizes the 5S and “clean as you go” methodology, meaning clean when practical and the situation allows for it throughout the day. Smaller cleanups throughout the day as you're working keeps the space clear and safe for others, as well as yourself.
2. Prior to taking any breaks, lunch or anytime where you walk away from your area, please realize that you are responsible for any tools, projects, scrap etc in that area.
3. Common areas will be cleaned on a rotating schedule by individuals staying at the FeF, to include the kitchen, restroom and other areas where people share the facilities. Treat others as you would like to be treated, the less mess you leave, the less you will have to clean when it is your turn.
4. Most things at the FeF will have a place for them, ensure after use that they are returned to that place.
5. You will NEVER throw any trash at anytime on the ground at FeF. This is to include throwing empty cans, bottles, bags etc, with the intent of “picking them up later”. If for some reason you do see trash on the ground please take a moment and pick it up and try and keep our “Home” clean.
6. Although your personal area is you area and you may do with it as you please, funny smells are never liked by anyone, so please keep your personal areas clean, if not for yourself, then for the others around you. If there are multiple instances of your personal area disturbing others by way of an odd odor, clutter etc. you will be warned and will be required to clean your space prior to engaging in any activities at FeF.
7. Please remember there is heavy machinery here, what we do at OSE is essentially experimental prototyping, many things here can go BOOM! If you lack the responsibility to clean up after yourself, the likelihood of OSE allowing you to utilize equipment that takes responsibility to operate will be severely decreased if not eliminated.

Violators may be disciplined accordingly. First time warning applies, and repeat offenders may be expelled from the facility at the discretion of the Executive Director and or the Executive Team at OSE.

Rules are subject to change without notice.