Ceramics Safety Rules

Being cautious and taking preventative measures is the best way to stay safe in the studio for the long term.

Ceramics safety rules.

Violation of any unsafe working methods may cause. Clean up spills as soon as they occur. All clay bodies contain some free crystalline silica which can scar your lung tissue and cause irreversible loss of breathing capacity. Safety rules for ceramics from radcliffe college dartmouth college and other sources the ceramics studio health safety clay.

Always open kilns slowly to sense how hot it is. Working on canvas boards and newspaper make for easy clean up. Every individual who comes in contact with clay glazes and other ceramic materials should be aware of the health hazards involved. To eliminate or minimize identified hazards we encourage in order of preference the use of the traditional hierarchy of controls.

Studio safety is key to living a long and healthy life as a potter. The most dangerous materials are found in the form of dry dust airborne glazes and kiln fumes all of which can. While commercial ceramics companies routinely test their. In our line of work we can come into contact with many different job hazards that can cause us grief down the road.

Inhalation of all clay materials especially silica can damage your lungs. Clean glaze jar rims before closing to eliminate build up. Do not allow to dry. Never reach inside a kiln that is turned on.

Never touch the outside of a kiln that is turned on. Ceramics studio safety rules to be granted the privilege of using this facility you are required to agree to the terms and conditions listed below and to be familiar with and to observe these safety regulations governing its use. Keep these common sense safety rules in mind and remember to observe them. Pottery studio safety reference.

1 substitution or elimination of the hazardous agent 2 engineering controls e g local exhaust ventilation process enclosure dilution ventilation 3 administrative controls e g limiting time of exposure employee. Keep dust under control. Try to work on a newspaper or paper towel for easy cleanup and disposal. Keep work surfaces and shelves clean by wiping down with a wet sponge.

When working in the studio. Clean up spills when they occur. Basic personal hygiene rules should be followed including restricting eating drinking or smoking in the studio and wearing personal protective equipment such as gloves and separate work clothes or coveralls. Also see pdfs downloads general info for more specific information.

Ceramic products should not be ingested or inhaled. Common sense safety rules. See above for the hazards and safety precautions used with gas kilns. Always comply with these rules when using electric kilns.

Never open a kiln that is hotter than oven temperature.