Studio Health and Safety

Sculpture Safety Instructions:

Equipment and Safety :

Come prepared to work. Dress for safety and comfort. In a sculpture classroom that means wearing closed-toe shoes, having long hair tied back, and no dangling jewelry or clothing. Also, do not bring hazardous materials or tools/equipment into the classroom for any reason (this especially includes after-hours studio work time). If you are caught working in a manner that could be a danger to yourself or others you could face disciplinary action. We will be conducting safety training on selected tools and equipment at the beginning of each semester. Once the training is complete you will gain access to those specific items. Under no circumstances will you be allowed to work with equipment that you have not been trained to use. Students are never allowed to work with power tools or machinery while alone and/or unsupervised.

INTENTIONALLY UNSAFE PRACTICES IN THE STUDIO ENVIRONMENT OR IN A CRITIQUE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AND WILL RESULT IN A FAILING GRADE.

Instructor approval is required for all performance-based, interactive, or publicly displayed presentations of work. You are required to read, sign, and return the APSU Sculpture Area Safety Contract before the conclusion of the first week of class. In the event that another class is in session and you wish to work in the APSU Sculpture Studio, ask the instructor for permission to work during their class time. They can say no.

Ceramics Safety Guidelines

 SAFETY: These rules are extremely important.

A. Use a breathing mask while spraying glazes and mixing clay.
B. Do not use tools or machines without proper instruction and supervision.
C. Never put hands or tools in clay mixer or pug mill, UNLESS the machine is turned off.
D. Never operate clay mixer, pug mill, or kilns alone or without proper instruction.
E. Never leave tools or other objects or materials in the slip buckets.
F. DO NOT THROW FOREIGN OBJECTS INTO THE CLAY BUCKETS!!! They cause serious problems in  recycled clay!!
G. Clean up your mess. It may adversely affect your grade if you do not.
H. Be extremely careful in the studio when the floor is wet. It becomes very slippery.
I. Studio Cleaning as needed, it will help your grade to contribute.

Photography Safety Guidelines:

  Safety Regulations:

1. DO NOT EAT OR DRINK IN EITHER DARKROOM. You may eat in the classroom before or after class –NOT during class. (clean up after yourself.) You may drink during class if your container has a secure lid.
2. Certain chemicals used in photographic processes may irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions to individuals who are susceptible. Wear plastic gloves or use printing tongs if your ski n is highly sensitive.
3. Wash hands carefully with soap and water after working with photographic chemicals, before eating and during work breaks. Chemicals will dry your skin. Hand lotion is recommended.
4. In case of spills or accidental skin contact with irritating chemicals, wash the affected skin immediately with water. In case of eye contact, rinse the eyes for at least 15 minutes (continue rinsing and call a physician).
5. If spills occur in the darkroom, act immediately by either cleaning it or contacting the instructor or custodian to avoid galls in the dark.
6. Items such as mat cutters, dry mount press, tacking iron will be demonstrated by the instructor, and should not be used until that time.
7. Disconnect all electrical equipment when not in immediate use (especially dry mount press and tacking iron).
8. A first-aid kit is located in the classroom on the file cabinet inside the door to the hallway in case of cuts, etc.
9. A copy of OverExposure: Health Hazards in Photography, by Susan Shaw, is available in my office.
10. For information on pregnancy and photographic processes, see pages 41-44 of OverExposure and consult your physician.