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Shop Closure and Emergency Response

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This document has not yet been approved. Please send feedback to Scott Martin (@pwacata on Discord).

This policy outlines the response to bad weather or other situations which pose a hazard to staff, volunteer, and/or members traveling to and from the shop or being safe inside the shop.

Your Safety Comes First. If at any time you feel unsafe traveling to, from, or being in the shop, do what you need to stay safe.

You must immediately post your decision in the #techs Discord channel (or another highly visible team space).
Do not just tell one person.

Core Principles

  • Who Decides to Close? At least one Staff or Board member must be involved for any change to shop hours.
  • In an Emergency: If you can’t reach Staff/Board after trying Discord, DMs, and phone calls, use your best judgment to protect everyone’s safety.
  • Communication is Critical. All decisions must be posted publicly.

When Should We Consider Closing?

Close or reduce hours if any of these hazards exist:

  • Dangerous travel (ice, deep snow, poor visibility).
  • Unsafe conditions at the shop (icy walkways, blocked doors/exits, parking lot hazards).
  • Expected loss of power, water, or HVAC.
  • A breakdown at the shop (power outage, gas leak, flood).
  • Sudden lack of shop tech coverage (e.g., due to illness).
  • Any other direct threat (e.g., intruder, extreme weather event).

How to Close – Step-by-Step

Delayed Opening / Early Closure (Planned)

  1. Ask Staff/Board to decide on new hours (e.g., 10am-4pm for evening hazards, or 12pm-6pm for late start).
  2. A Lead or Staff member must:
    1. Check the tech calendar for affected shifts.
    2. Post the decision in #techs, @-mentioning every affected tech by name
  3. A Staff/Board member becomes the "Incident Commander" (see below).

Emergency Closure – Close Immediately

  1. Delegate these tasks inside the shop:
    • Person 1: Alert everyone inside to leave.
    • Person 2: Post signs at the front and parking lot entrances.
    • Person 3: Watch the front door to inform anyone trying to enter.
  2. A Staff/Board member becomes the "Incident Commander" to manage next steps.

The Incident Commander’s (IC) Checklist

Your job is to coordinate, not do everything. Delegate tasks to specific people.

As Soon As You Take Charge:

  1. Post in #techs and #leadership: “I am acting as Incident Commander. [Link to this wiki page].”

  2. Delegate someone to post in #general (@Members) with closure time, duration, and reason.

  3. Delegate a Staff member to email all members via Neon CRM.

  4. Name a backup person as a point of contact.

During the Incident:

  • Prioritize the immediate safety of staff, volunteers, and members. 

  • Communicate clearly and often - especially via #techs and #general on Discord.

  • Announce when you’ll be unavailable and hand off your role as needed.

  • Plan ahead for when the shop can reopen, and anticipate/announce extended closures and delays.

After the Incident:

  • Write a brief "postmortem" report.

  • Schedule a postmortem review with Leads and Staff.

Specific Weather Guidance

Snow and Ice

  • <1” of snow/Light ice: Consider a delayed start to clear and salt walkways, steps, and all emergency exits.
  • >1-2” of snow / “Black Ice”: High risk. Likely need delayed opening or closure. Shop Manager must notify the snowplow contractor.
  • 6+” forecast: Expect multi-day disruptions and/or closure.

ALL EMERGENCY EXITS MUST REMAIN USABLE IF THE SHOP IS OPEN. The front door, the forge/parking lot door, rear maintenance corner, and rear woodshop corner all open outwards and must not be blocked by snow and/or ice. 

Heavy snowstorms - even when expected - have overwhelmed Pittsburgh snowplows and emergency responders for up to a week after the weather has ended.

Hail & Ice Storms:

  • Rarely requires full closure if roads are safe.
  • DO warn everyone via Discord so they can protect themselves and their property (e.g., cars).

Heavy Rain & Flooding:

  • Sudden burst: Usually no closure needed. Post a warning and monitor.
  • Extended heavy rain / flooding forecast: Consider delayed start or early closure. >2” of standing water in the lot is hazardous to vehicles.

Flooding has occurred in our parking lot and on the street in the past (see this Discord message from July 2025). All rain on our roof drains via interior columns into the underground sewer system; when this system overflows, it comes out of the central drain gate in the parking lot and the curbside drain near the entrance to the parking lot.

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