Safety: Restrictions and Precautions

Safety of our volunteers and guests is a top concern in our Repair Café workshops. Every item needs to be evaluated for hazards that may exist during the repair process and emerge later when the item is used at home.

Each of our repair workshop locations have restrictions which prevent us from working on some items. If you are unsure about the repairability of your item, please contact us before bringing your item in for repair.

Restricted Items

The following is a partial list of items that we do not repair.

  • CRT-based televisions

  • weapons, firearms, and explosives

  • items containing or using compressed gas

  • things that fly (except kites)

  • personal hygiene devices (e.g., electric toothbrushes, razors)

  • items containing human hair, teeth or similar content

  • medical devices

Items with Repair Limitations

Repair on these items may be limited or restricted based on the repair location.

  • small engines containing gasoline and/or oil

  • microwave ovens

We do handle Bakelite® — a phenolic resin popular before more modern plastics became available. However, we do not drill or cut Bakelite due to the risk creating asbestos laden dust.

Some workshop venues may have additional restrictions.

We may also restrict repairs of religiously significance objects if the repair request is considered disrespectful of the object and its related faith traditions.

Workshop Environment

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

ANSI certified eye protection is required for any power tools (e.g., saws, drills, screwdrivers) or striking tools (e.g., chisels, hammers). 

Repair coaches are encouraged to instruct attendees on proper tool use and bring personal protective equipment as appropriate for their specialty.

Coaches and guests must minimize the creation or irritating airborne dust or noxious fumes. Repair techniques which create a risk of exposure to dangerous quantities of hazardous materials must be avoided.

Safety glasses and nitrile gloves are available for use during repair workshops.

Electric Shock

It is difficult to provide strict guidelines on the amount and type of electricity which may cause a harmful shock.  Please consider the environment in which an item is used when evaluating repair options. 

Children

Supervised children are welcome at Repair Café events. Commonly used tools in the workshop may be hazardous for inexperienced hands. Children should be closely monitored by their parent or guardian and kept away from tools and other potentially hazardous materials.