SAFETY ATTACK

Understanding the safety of materials and their intended use

Assessing the safety and compliance of a laboratory, a workspace

Understanding the safety conditions to be ensured indoors, specifically within ceramic laboratories.

The correct information of learners on safety measures is an initial and fundamental precondition for the implementation of any ceramic workshops and so to avoid potential risks. Clear and precise instructions must also be provided, so as to know how to manage possible incidents and anomalies that put safety at risk

Specific risks to people’s health and safety may also arise during ceramic workshops, in relation to the nature of the exercises, the hazardous nature of the equipment and materials used and possible exposure to physical, chemical and biological agents.

Artists, artisans, designers, trainers and trainees in general are exposed to a number of potentially hazardous materials and processes in the ceramic studios. Knowledge of hazards and proper studio procedures, coupled with an attitude of respect and mental alertness, will ensure that our workspaces are safe and healthy.

Both the trainers and the trainees have the responsibility to be physically and mentally alert when managing clay, aware of safety and health issues, follow rules and procedures designed to protect them, and report all incidents or accidents so that steps may be taken to prevent recurrence.

General rules and main procedures

Both the trainers and the trainees review, discuss, and follow the rules and procedures outlined in this lesson plan

Personal protective equipment will be explained and demonstrated at the beginning of each ceramic workshop, if needed

All ceramic workshops shall keep appropriate First Aid equipment and supplies

Both the trainers and the trainees shall wear hearing, eye, face, and personal protective equipment

Within a ceramic workshops, all installations and devices, should undergo regular technical maintenance in order to eliminate, as quickly as possible, any defects detected which may affect the safety and health of both the trainers and the trainees

Manage emergencies

In the event of an emergency, call the police or other emergency numbers

In the event of fire: sound the alarm, contain, or fight the fire only if possible and practical to do so, evacuate yourself and others from the building.

All accidents, including those which result in injuries requiring only First Aid or those which only involve property damage shall be reported to faculty members in each ceramic workshop verbally as well as using the Incident & Accident Form

Any illness or physical impairment which may be related to your artwork (e.g. skin problem, headaches, nausea, etc.) shall be reported to your tutor immediately.

Ensure safety for participants with disabilities

During ceramic workshops, we must ensure that floors, in general, are fixed, stable and non-slip as well as free of protuberances, hollows or dangerous inclined planes, where spills of liquids or putrescible substances are routinely expected the surface must be even impermeable and with a sufficient slope to quickly direct liquids towards the collection and drainage points; if they remain wet, they must be permanently equipped with pallets or grating (if workers are not provided with suitable waterproof footwear).

Windows, skylights, and ventilation devices in general should be safely opened, closed, adjusted and secured by workers.

Other factors to be taken into consideration to ensure safety during ceramic workshops

Clear instructions on where the emergency exits are located must be provided to all participants in the ceramics workshop. Emergency exits must be clearly indicated by emergency signals and panels

Clear instructions on how to provide first aid in the event of accidents must be provided to all participants in pottery workshops. Possible accidents involve burns, cuts and more serious injuries. Its best to have a first aid kit in your studio, and can even be mounted in the wall. To avoid potential risks, protect both your hands and your feets. It is highly recommended to handle wear gloves when handling clay or glaze

Adequate ventilation conditions of the spaces must be ensured, being exposed to the high temperatures of the kilns during ceramic workshops. Also to take into account the level of humidity of the rooms

Take into account the lighting conditions of the rooms, trying to prefer natural lighting over artificial lighting

https://ceramic.school/how-to-organize-your-pottery-studio/

https://www.firstaidforschools.com/first-aid-in-schools/

Be able to manage and implement appropriate precautionary measures

Knowledge of specific security protocols

A hazardous chemical is a status: it is based on an assessment of the intrinsic properties of a chemical substance to cause harm, which is determined by scientific studies from hundreds of organizations throughout the world. Hazards are divided into three groups:

1. Physical – chemical properties such as combustibility, explosiveness, flammability, oxidizing, and/or unstable or reactive.
2. Environmental – immediate or direct on environment or ecosystem; latent/indirect effect on environment and human life.
3. Health – immediate (acute) or latent (chronic) impact on the human body. Health hazards to humans are classified as follows:

Acute Toxicity

Skin Corrosion/Irritation

Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation

Respiratory or Skin Sensitization (also linked to the inhalation of dust)

Germ Cell Mutagenicity

Carcinogenicity

Reproductive Toxicology

Target Organ Systemic Toxicity – Single Exposure

Target Organ Systemic Toxicity – Repeated Exposure

Aspiration Toxicity

A health hazard substance enters/impacts a human being in one of four ways:

1. Inhalation into the lungs
2. Absorption through skin
3. Absorption through the eyes
4. Ingestion via the mouth

Remember: The amount of dust exposure you will encounter in your ceramic studio should be exceptionally low. But if you engage in an activity that creates dust: mixing dry glazes, cleaning greenware, spray application of glazes – wearing a respirator will limit your exposure and dramatically reduce your risk. Also, keep your space as free of dust as possible by frequent wet mopping or vacuum using hepa filters.

Equipments to avoid physical accidents and injuries

For eyes:

Safety goggles

Prescription lenses and sport glasses are not an acceptable substitute for proper, required Industrial safety eye protection. 

Contact lenses should not be worn in Art Studio Environments. Contact lenses may trap or absorb particles or gasses causing eye irritation or blindness. 

Eye protection should fit properly, with or without prescription lenses.  

Hearing protection:

There are two common types of hearing protection: earplugs or earmuffs. 

These workshops are high noise areas and hearing protection is a must even if you are not the one making the noise. 

Foot protection:

Leather shoes with closed toes are best. These protect your feet from most substances used in studios- for example, spills: chemicals, acids, and paints. Open toed sandals should not be worn in any workshops, and are not permitted

If you have safety boots wear them and if you know you are going to live in these studios buy some safety footwear. 

Respiratory Protection:

Dust masks must be worn when the activities in these areas are dust producing. 

Local ventilation and air extraction equipment must be utilized in the above studios depending on the nature of your activity. 

If the contaminant is highly toxic or large amounts of the toxic material are produced a respirator must also be worn. 

Body Protection:

Due to the variety of studio activities students must consider further personal protection that may take many different forms such as leather gloves, nitrile gloves, leather/chemical aprons etc. 

Additional safety rules for ceramics

Pottery tool set:

Generally, attention must be taken when using sharp objects

Ribbon cutter

Sponge

Steel kidney

Wire clay cutter

Wooden modelling tool

Metal needle tool

Potters rib

Clay:

Inhalation of all clay materials especially silica can damage your lungs.

All clay bodies contain some free crystalline silica which can scar your lung tissue and cause irreversible loss of breathing capacity.

Free crystalline silica is present in clay bodies from trace to 50% amounts.

It is the finest, least visible particles that can hang in the air for hours that are the most dangerous because they are the most easily respirable and because we are less likely to wear a mask when the air seems clear.

Avoid excessive dust exposure.

Buy premixed, wet clay bodies.

Wear a HEPA filter mask that fits well when mixing clay or cleaning the studio.

Clean work area before clay scraps have a chance to dry out. Never sweep your studio.

Clean studio often with a wet mop, wet vac, or a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter.

Provide good fresh air exchange in your work area.

Wear plastic or vinyl-type aprons rather than porous cloth-type aprons.

Make sure you know what ingredients are in the clays you use.

Ask your suppliers if “low free silica” clay bodies are available.

Avoid use of hazardous compounds (see list under GLAZES) to color your clay bodies.

Avoid use of Barium Carbonate in an earthenware clay body.

Avoid use of asbestos contaminated talc in low-fire white and raku clay bodies.

Wet clay is a good medium for mold growth and bacterial incubation.

People with specific types of mold allergies may be affected.

Shared clay in a group setting could potentially be a medium for bacteria transfer.

Glazing:

Many glaze materials are hazardous. Those of special concern are listed here:

Crystalline silica is present in almost all glazes and can scar lung tissue if inhaled.

Barium Carbonate, Sodium Borates, and Lead compounds can be present as colorless fluxes in glazes.

Antimony compounds, Cadmium compounds, Chrome compounds, Lead compounds, Cobalt Chloride, Cobalt Sulphate, Copper Chloride, Copper Carbonate, Copper Sulphate, Iron Chromate, Iron Sulphate, Manganese Dioxide, Nickel compounds, Uranium compounds, and Vanadium compounds can be present as glazes, slips and stains.

Luster glazes contain toxic mediums as well as toxic metallic compounds.

Avoid use of these materials whenever possible. If you do use them, take precautions to prevent ingestion as well as inhalation (which can lead to ingested particles) and skin contact. Even though some of these materials cannot be directly absorbed through the skin, invisible particles can become lodged in the crevices of your skin.

Know what you are using.

Call your manufacturer to see if there are any ingredients of concern to you in the commercial glazes, slips, or stains you may be using.

Read Material Safety Data Sheets and U.S. Dept. of Labor Occupational Health Guidelines for detailed information about the hazardous materials that you use.

DO Not assume that industrial threshold limits for exposure are safe guidelines.

Learn distinctions such as: iron oxide is not toxic but iron sulfate is.

If you cannot find adequate information about a material, assume hazardous potential.

Individual sensitivities to hazardous materials vary tremendously and can be affected by medications and health histories as well as genetics.

Do not eat, drink, or smoke in the glazing area. Do not interchange eating and glazing utensils. Scrub your hands thoroughly after glazing.

Use a Ceramic dust filter mask that fits well when mixing, spraying, or sanding glazes.

Use a mask for vapors and gasses when working with luster glazes.

Spray glazes only in a properly constructed, vented and filtered spray booth.

Make sure that the exhaust of the spray booth is vented so that it does not pollute somebody else’s breathing air.

Used spray booth filters for certain glazes may have to be treated as toxic waste.

Do not pollute the environment when discarding unused toxic glaze materials.

Reformulate scrap glazes and/or give them to someone who can use them.

Fire your scrap glazes in a discarded bowl to make them more environmentally stable.

Take your toxic glaze scraps to toxic waste collection sites.

Firing:

Kilns are potentially hazardous if they are installed or fired incorrectly.

Firings should only be done by those with firing experience and a thorough understanding of all kiln functions and safety controls.

Touching an element in an electric kiln can be fatal.

Never reach into an electric kiln unless all of the switches are turned off.

Electric kilns that are wired for 3 phase may pass electricity through the elements even when the kiln sitter timer is off. Since no kiln sitters are made for 3 phase wiring, manufacturers adapt them by adding a power relay after the kiln sitter. When the power relay becomes old, the relay may allow electricity to pass through even when the kiln sitter is off. If that is the case, one must turn off the switches to be sure no current is flowing through the elements. Since our power relays started to fail after 5 years, we are changing them every two years.

As an extra precaution, turn off the kiln at the circuit breaker if you vacuum it or insert any other good conductor into it.

Firing of clay materials in electric and gas kilns produces carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and sulfur dioxide gasses.

Firing of glaze materials in electric and gas kilns can produce fumes of the toxic materials discussed above in the glazing section.

If you fire below the volatilization point for your specific glaze ingredients this may not be a problem. If firing above, a HEPA dust, fume, mist filter might be necessary for protection. Lead, cadmium, and luster glazes are particularly volatile at low-medium firing ranges.

Copper, chrome, and tin glazes are volatile in high-firing ranges.

Salt firings emit highly toxic chlorine gas during the salting process.

Gas masks and eye protection are necessary.

The intense heat and infrared radiation from all kiln firings can damage your eyes.

Wear welders goggles when looking in the kiln spy holes.

Use of any studio equipment can be hazardous if not operated properly.

Receive proper instructions and permissions before operating. Never operate equipment if taking any medication, drugs, or alcohol that could impair your judgment.

Use of motorized grinders can be very hazardous.

Use eye protector goggles, protective gloves, and a HEPA filter mask when grinding.

Safety Protocols Kiln Room:

DOORS TO THE KILN ROOM MUST REMAIN CLOSED AT ALL TIMES.

The first thing to do in any unexplained Kiln Room event is to immediately notify Ceramics Staff (master ceramist, kiln room technician) to ascertain source. If no clear determination is made, call Security at xxxx to apprise them of the situation.

Important: you or someone you assign must remain in continual contact with Security until the event concludes. In an emergency leave the studio. Ceramics Staff is to help facilitate evacuation from studios and labs.

Gas Odor
If it is strong (stinging to the eyes) report to Security and leave the premises immediately. Otherwise:

1. For burners that appear to have blown out: shut down all burner systems. Wait at least ten minutes before attempting re-igniting burners. If gas odor persists do not re-ignite burners.
2. Notify Security that there is a likelihood the intake air fans are off to the kiln room.

Smoke Odor

1. Determine which kilns are on & who is firing them.
2. Find out if any burn-out materials were used, i.e. sawdust placed in saggars, paper armatures, wood panels where large pieces were moved into the kiln. If this is the case, the smell should dissipate by the time the pyrometer reads 1000 F.
3. If no determination is made on the presence of burn-out materials or the smell persists, locate the source and bring faculty and staff together to make a decision whether to shut down the kiln.

Visible Smoke There are very few reasons smoke that can be seen should appear in the kiln room:

1. Determine which kilns are on & who is firing them.
2. If there is a burning wood smell follow protocol for Smoke Odor.
3. Check the log sheet on Soda Kiln (G-6) to see when the last induction of soda occurred. If this is the case the vapor will dissipate within 15 minutes.
4. If there hasn’t been a recent induction of soda, locate the source and bring faculty and staff together to make a decision whether to shut down the kiln.

Fire Outside Kiln Chamber If flames are evident anywhere but the chimney or damper flues, spy holes, burner ports or passive dampers:

1. Assess the situation from outside double doors. Inform Security & Staff immediately.
2. If the main shut-off valve by the doors can be accessed, use a wrench to turn square peg clockwise 90 degrees to off. Leave the building.

Water Leaks on Electric Kilns Under no condition should any water or liquid be on or near electric kilns.

If the kiln is off, protect it from the liquid immediately. Turn the main power lever behind the kiln until the event is resolved. If there is any water damage to circuits, a full diagnostic check is in order once everything dries out.

https://www.ulethbridge.ca/fine-arts/ceramics-studio-safe-work-practice-manual

In addition to toxic chemicals, there are physical hazards from the heavy work, from noise, and other hazards.

OVERUSE AND STRAIN INJURIES: These injuries are often called “cumulative trauma disorders” because they develop from repeated small injuries to tissue from overuse and strain. They can occur while wedging, throwing, or hand building with clay. “Potter’s thumb,” for instance, is the term some potters have used to describe symptoms which are now associated with the early stages of carpal tunnel syndrome. Many potters have acquired carpal tunnel syndrome, a debilitating condition involving compression of the median nerve at the wrist. Tendonitis in various locations and tennis elbow are also common.

Hand, back, and wrist muscle injuries can also occur from sitting at the potter’s wheel for too long, especially if posture is incorrect. Injuries from lifting sacks of clay, molds, and the like are common among both potters and ceramicists. To prevent these injuries, pay careful attention to your body for signs of fatigue, pain, changes in endurance, weakness, and similar symptoms. Developing good work habits can prevent these conditions and even may resolve early symptoms. These include:

Maintaining good posture

Taking frequent rest breaks

Alternating tasks or varying the types of work

Warming up muscles before work

Moving and stretching muscles during breaks

Easing back into heavy work schedules after a holiday or hiatus rather than expecting to work at full capacity immediately

Modifying technique and/or equipment to avoid uncomfortable positions or movements.

If symptoms do not respond quickly, seek medical attention. Early medical intervention will cause the majority of overuse injuries to resolve without expensive treatment or surgery. Delaying treatment can leave you disabled for long periods or even for life. In response to artists’ special needs, a new field called “arts medicine” has been created. Doctors and clinics specializing in arts medicine can be located by consulting your doctor or arts health organizations such as Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety.

Health

To inhale or ingest the dust of any of our clay or glaze materials is unhealthy. Therefore thoroughly clean all wheels, tables, tools and equipment after use and wash up any spills, splatters, or trimmings that land on the floor.

Participate in our “Health Insurance Program” by spending one hour each term on dust-busting duty. (Use a sponge or a mop to clean any floor or table area that threatens to emit dust into our breathing space.)

Buy a good dust filter mask and wear it when mixing dry materials, spraying glazes, and scraping shelves.

Be aware of the specific safety issue of each material you use by discussions with your instructor and by reading “Health & Safety Concerns in the Ceramics Studio.”

Observe no smoking policy in the building.

Safety

Do not use any wheel, kiln, spray equipment, slab roller, grinder, etc. unless you have received personal instruction and permission from a staff person. Permission to use kilns requires apprenticeship and testing.

You must turn off any electrical equipment after using it – wheels, kilns, fans, hot plates, etc.

If you are the last to leave, make sure that all the windows are closed, and that the lights have been turned off.

Use the buddy system for pedestrian travel at night to and from the studio.

Communal Responsibilities

Please help foster a productive work environment in the studio by respecting the need for quiet concentration. Conduct extended personal conversations in the lounge, not in the workspace. Use walkmans, not radios.

Leave your work area clean and empty for the next person. All your work should be stored on shelves. Any work left on wheels or tables will probably be moved to a shelf by someone needing workspace.

Take any heavy personal garbage (broken bisqueware, etc.) directly to the dumpster outside the building.

If you plan to keep any food in the refrigerator label and date the food so that it will not be considered old and forgotten.

Responsibilities and mandatory rules for all participants:

Security

All participants are responsible for keeping their personal items secure.

NO PROPPING OPEN OF FIRE DOORS.

NO SMOKING in the building.

NO DRUG/ALCOHOL USE.

NO WORKING IN STUDIO WHEN IMPAIRED.

WEAR PROPER FOOTWEAR AT ALL TIMES – NO OPEN SANDALS OR BARE FEET.

Kiln room

No lead firing without signs.

No half empty kilns.

No bisque in electrics.

Must use visual cones in all electrics, and fire accordingly.

Flint/kaolin mix as a kiln wash in gas kilns.

Alumina/kaolin kiln wash in salt.

Grind all shelves after firing – if not, no next kiln.

Clean area around kiln after loading, and before firing.

Clean interior and exterior of all kilns after use.

Return all kiln furniture to racks after use.

If unable to fire the kiln at scheduled time, then you forfeit.

Clay rules

Wear personal protective equipment at all times while working in the Clay Mixing Room and be exceptionally careful in cleaning up after mixing.

Use the dust collector at all times.

Wear a dust mask at all times.

Clean all mixers by sponging out and sweep the floor thoroughly when finished.

Sweep the floor when finished.

Throw away all empty clay bags into the dumpster outside.

Leave the room clean and organized when finished.

Plaster rules

Wear personal protective equipment at all times while working in the plaster room and thoroughly clean up after yourself.

Intro, Foundations, and Continuing Ed students are required to have permission from their Instructor to use plaster room facilities. Advanced students must serve as role models and use extreme consideration in working around class schedules.

Please leave the lab in excellent condition, it is your individual responsibility to do so.

Glaze rules

Wear personal protective equipment at all times while working in the glaze room, and thoroughly clean up after.

Use the slot hood vent system over the mixing tables when measuring both large and small batches. The switch is a red button to the right of the door as you come in, hold for five seconds to turn on & off.

Scrub hands thoroughly after glazing. Use plastic safety gloves.

Comply with the department’s Health and Safety Manual. Place all scrap glaze in the hazardous waste barrel.

Clean up! Use a vent system when mixing both large and small batches.

Clean Up spray booth after using.

Responsibilities and mandatory rules on how to manage wastes

Some of the materials that are used in ceramics elements are considered Hazardous Waste by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Of the regulated elements, we encounter 4 of them:

1. Lead
2. Barium
3. Cadmium – is found primarily in red and orange stains.
4. Chrome – found in oxide form and stains

These chemicals remain an environmental liability and it is required that they are handled in accordance with national, state, and local laws. Hazardous materials must be disposed of in hazardous waste drums to ensure they will not seep into the water supply of your community. When using commercial glazes, check the container for the toxicity label.

https://www.hot-clay.com/pottery-kilns.html