Authorization Policy Vote

Sponsor

• Elizabeth Koprucki
• Ryan Pierce

History

• 2015-02-?? - Vote announced on the mailing list.
• 2015-02-?? - Language locked in.
• 2015-??-?? - Vote of the membership.

Background

PS: One enacted a policy in 2009 requiring certification to use certain tools. This policy had a number of faults that became apparent and which were addressed by ad hoc policies and/or selective enforcement. This vote proposal rewrites the old certification policy such that it matches current practice.

Certification vs. Authorization

The term "certification" is a misnomer. It implies completion of a formal course of study and conveys a certain expectation of skill. Generally speaking, "certification" at PS:One only requires a basic understanding of the tool, and that the criteria requires demonstrating safe use, but not necessarily skilled use. The term "authorization" more accurately reflects the current practice at PS:One.

Complex Tool Authorization

The original model where any person can authorize any other person (so-called "viral authorization") works for simple tools, but it tends to fall apart for more complex tools. Important information can get lost as authorizations spread from person to person. Area Hosts and persons experienced and active in the area have, in many cases, worked to develop standardized curricula or checklists for authorization. To this end, a number of tools (Bridgeport mill, Clausing lathe, SEM, TIG welder, knitting machines, etc.) limit the number of people who are capable of authorizing. In some cases, the Area Hosts have established prerequisite authorizations for tools. E.g. the Bridgeport mill and Clausing lathe require the "Tier 1" cold metal authorization; this guarantees mill or lathe users know how to use non-precision tools like the band saws necessary to shape metal prior to precision milling or turning, and it also introduces the user to safety information and metal cutting theory.

Additionally, certifications never expired. A person certified two years ago on a machine who never used it since may have forgotten much of the authorization. Although not implemented, having currency and re-authorization requirements (e.g. your authorization expires if you haven't used the tool for 6 months) may make sense for certain tools.

These requirements enhance the authorization process, but they could not be enforced under the existing Certification Policy. The proposed Authorization Policy explicitly allows them.

Language

The following policy will be deleted:

Certification

All machine tools (and other delicate equipment) have a list of names attached. [Editor's note: as of 2013 these lists are typically maintained in the wiki.] These people have been certified and are the only people allowed to use the respective tool.

a. If you want to use this equipment, ask one of the people on the list to teach you and add you to the list.

b. If you operate unsafely, negligently, or if you otherwise demonstrate poor or improper tool use, you and your certifier may lose access to the tool.

c. If you find someone demonstrating lack of knowledge in the use of a tool, stop them, instruct them in proper use, and report the incident to their certifier for follow-up and additional instruction.

d. Only current paid PS:One members may be certified on a tool.

This certification policy was adopted by a vote of the membership on May 26, 2009.

It will be replaced by the following policy:

Authorization Policy

All machine tools (and other delicate equipment) will have a list of authorized users. These are the only people allowed to use the respective tool. This list may be stored on the wiki, an LDAP/Active Directory group, or some other means as determined by the Board of Directors or an Area Host responsible for the tool.

a. By default, any person authorized to use a tool may provide instruction to other members and authorize them to use the tool.

b. The Board of Directors or an Area Host responsible for the tool may designate additional requirements to become authorized or to remain authorized to use the tool. These may include:

• Limitations on who is permitted to authorize other users.
• Prerequisite authorizations a user must first obtain.
• Currency or re-authorization requirements (e.g. an authorization expires if the member has not used the tool in 6 months.)

These requirements will be communicated to the membership via the wiki or some other means and may be modified at any time.

c. If you operate a tool unsafely, negligently, or if you otherwise demonstrate poor or improper tool use, you and your authorizer may lose access to the tool.

d. The Board of Directors or an Area Host responsible for a tool may revoke authorization to use the tool.

e. If you find someone demonstrating lack of knowledge in the use of a tool, stop them, instruct them in proper use, and report the incident to their authorizer and the Area Host responsible for the tool for follow-up and additional instruction.

f. Only current Pumping Station: One members may be authorized to use tools.

g. The Board of Directors or an Area Host responsible for a tool may grant exceptions to allow non-members to use specific tools requiring authorization for one or more of the following purposes:

• Hosting classes, workshops, demos, or events that provide benefit to Pumping Station: One and its members.
• Installing, enhancing, repairing, troubleshooting, or maintaining the tool.

Non-member use of the tool must be limited to the designated purpose or purposes.

h. The Board of Directors or an Area Host responsible for a tool may designate any member as authorized to use a tool.