Using dry ingredients
Make sure you wear a good dust mask when working with dry ingredients. Clay dust from greenware or from glaze components can get into the lungs and over the years cause emphysema. Whenever possible, wet mop your working area; never sweep with a broom, as this throws dust up into the air, which you might breath in.
Barium Carbonate
Barium Carbonate
A dangerous form of barium, as it forms a soluble
chloride in the stomach and accumulates. It affects
muscles, in particular the heart, increasing its
excitability, leading to high blood pressure and
internal bleeding. Will penetrate the skin. Not
recommended for food ware, as it may leach.
Cadmium
Cadmium
Used as a pigment in glazes. Can cause respiratory
diseases, osteoporosis, cancer and other problems.
For more information, see Article on Cadmium!
Chromates
Chromates and Chromic Acid
may be cancerous. Will also enter the body through
the skin.
For more information on chrome and its effects, please see Articles: Chromium for Potters!
Copper
Copper
Salts are irritants to the skin, eyes, and mucous
membranes. Inhalation of copper dust and fume results
in irritation of the respiratory tract.
For more information on copper and its effects, Please see Article "Copper"
Lead
Lead is an accumulative poison. It can be stored in the bone structure for years before a fatal dose is accumulated. Beware of raw lead forms, such as white or yellow lead, which are extremely toxic. Use lead frits instead. Do not use for tableware.
For more information on the effects of lead, Please see Article: "Lead"
Mica,/Muscovite,Vermiculite
Mica, Muscovite,
Vermiculite,
may contain traces of asbestos. Inhalation of dust will
lead to lung irritation, possibly cancer.
Potassium
Potassium,Dichromate/Bichromate
is very poisonous. Can cause kidney failure and is
cancerous. Not recommended for tableware!
Sulpher Dioxide
Sulpher Dioxide
is a strong lung irritant and can form when firing
soluble metal salts.
Talc/Tin Oxide
Talc/Tin Oxide
can result in īstannosisī, supposedly a benign
condition.
Vanadium Pentoxide
Vanadium Pentoxide
can cause Anemia; it a respiratory irritant.Uranium Compounds
cause kidney damage, not to mention the radioactivity.
For more information on Vanadium Pentoxide, Please see the Article: "Vanadium Pentoxide"
Footwear
Open footwear, eg. sandals, etc, are inadequate.
Full protection is needed for your feet.
clothing
Loose clothing which may accidentally find its
way into operating machinery should also be avoided.
Similarly with long hair -- as above.
Floors
Floors should be kept clean. Clean up spilt clay,
slip and water and other materials immediately.
Clay mixers
Donīt put your hand into operating clay mixers
etc., or you may find yourself neatly blended into the
mix.
Benches
Arrangement of benches, bins, storage areas,
etc., should allow maximum freedom of movement.
Fire extinguishers
Fire extinguishers should be placed in an
accessible position near the studio. If a fire
developes in the studio and you are keeping a fire
extinguisher there, the heat may prevent you from
reaching it.
Power accessibility
Accessibility of power and light switches: keep
switches and electrical cables away from water or if
this cannot be avoided sufficient protection against
contact should be made.
Electrical appliances
Never turn off electrical appliances with wet
hands especially in combination with water on the
floor.
Powercord extensions
Powercord extensions
Avoid use of extension cords where they may
intersect areas where traffic is most likely.
Material Storage
Materials should be stored in a dry place. The large wheeled airtight bins are great for this, and your back!
Plaster should be set aside from these materials.
Plaster Storage/Use
Areas set aside for plaster work should be
cleaned thoroughly after use. Buckets and other
materials used for this work should be for plaster
work only, minimizing the possibility of foreign
mattter fouling up clay.
Food and drink
Food and drink is best consumed outside the
studio or in an area where contamination by
chemicals, dust in the air, etc., is minimal.
Handling Toxic Materials
Hands should be washed immediately and
thoroughly after handling glaze materials and any
other toxic minerals.
First Aid kit
First Aid Kit, safety clothing, eye protection, gloves, etc.
should be easily accessible.
Eyes
Wear welding goggles when looking into a
glowing kiln, otherwise eye cataracts will develop
over the years.
Auto cut-offs/failsafes
Auto cut off and failsafes are preferable and
should be checked periodically.
Lifting
Extreme care should be exercised when lifting
heavy articles. It is essential for the studio potter to be aware of correct lifting techniques otherwise
physical damage is inevitable. A trolley should be
used if nescessary.
Display and Storage
Display and Storage
Many potters don't like selling from their workshops, owing to the problems with interruption, but others have periodic sale days and have some of their pots on display when buyers come. A small area at the end of the studio, closed off so that everything isn't dusty, can be set aside for this purpose. This space is also a pot storage area, somewhere for the pots to go before they are sold and to hold any build up of stock.
Provide Safety gear
Provide Safety gear
Provide control measures for the processes you are undertaking- clothing, masks, extraction systems and washing facilities. Maintain all equipment and have it serviced and checked for effectiveness.
Eating and drinking
Workshop OH&S
Do not smoke, drink or eat in the pottery workshop.
Keep your people safe
Keep your people safe
Keep hazardous material under supervision and away from children and untrained personnel. Always keep hazardous and toxic materials in their appropriate workspace. Do not move them into a situation that would allow them to become a hazard.
