DEPARTMENT OF VISUAL ARTS CERAMICS/GLASS: SAFETY PROCEDURES
The student safety procedures must be read and signed on the first day of your class.
Safety must be a primary consideration for all persons working with equipment, machinery, kilns, and dry and wet materials in Visual Arts. Work can be carried out safely if students follow the appropriate procedures and precautions. Students have the responsibility of learning and understanding the appropriate safety procedures for the work being conducted. Further, each student has an obligation to consult the instructor for help when safety procedures or instructions are not clear.
The following general procedures must be observed:
1. Before beginning the first session, your instructor will show you the location and proper procedures for the use of the safety and eye-wash station, as well as the emergency exits.
2. If you need to use the safety shower or eye wash station, flush affected area for a minimum of 15 minutes with large amounts of water.
3. Eating, drinking and/or smoking in class is not permitted in order to avoid accidental ingestion or exposure of toxic materials.
4. Be sure clothes are safe and suitable for shop work. Fasten any loose clothing and tie back long hair to avoid getting it caught on rapidly spinning machines.
5. Suitable personal protective equipment (I.e. goggles, gloves, respirator/dust mask) should always be worn to avoid the inhalation of wax fumes, molten metal fumes, fumes from fluxes and gases, when generating particulate matter, when a potential splash from hot metal or a hazardous material exists, during the clean-up of studio surfaces and when handling all other tools and equipment in the studio which requires safety protection.
6. Extreme caution should be taken when handling all kilns. Users must wear appropriate insulated gloves for handling hot products, and protective eyewear to filter out harmful infrared light when working with kilns.
7. Regular wet-mopping techniques should be exercised to keep down clay dust and reduce exposure; clay dust contains silica which can be hazardous if inhaled.
8. Avoid slipping and tripping hazards by practicing good housekeeping and making sure to wipe-up spills immediately and being cautious about the items left on the floor which can pose a potential tripping hazard.
9. Before waste is generated, your instructor will show you the proper waste containers. Use only containers designed for that purpose and make sure the container you use is the correct one. NEVER drain dispose of any chemicals or put them into the regular trash.
10. Report any accident, injury, illness and/or safety hazard(s), however, minor, to your instructor immediately.
11. Small fires can usually be extinguished by smothering. Fire extinguishers should be used only by trained personnel. Use them only if you are confident that you will be successful, and you know the proper procedures to safely use them.
12. Expectant mother/nursing mothers: chemical solvents are known to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. Avoid exposure to any solvents or hazardous materials.
For more safety-related information, visit: http://ehis.fullerton.edu