Health And Safety Regulations When Working With Clay and Glazes

HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS

FOR WORKING WITH CLAY AND GLAZES

Clay contains crystalline silica and ‘free silica’. Fine dust particles containing free silica can be a serious health risk as in normal light they are invisible to the naked eye, and consequently can be easily breathed in. They then penetrate deep into the lungs and over a period of time may lead to the irreversible lung disease, silicosis.

It is a good idea to try to keep clay damp. Clay dust gets everywhere and so it is important to make sure windowsills, ledges, tools and work surfaces are washed down well, not just dusted.

Any spillages on the floor must be cleaned up before they dry out, using a wet cleaning process – not a dry sweep, as this will only spread more dust.

Care must be then taken on wet floors to avoid slipping.

It is a good idea to wear old clothes or an apron when working with clay to reduce the risk of carrying silica dust on your clothes.

To prevent accidents it is best to wear sensible shoes (no open shoes or flip flops)

and tie your hair back

Wash any equipment used such as buckets and jugs as soon as possible after use.

When you leave the workplace remove your apron and ideally wear a clean one each day.

Never smoke, eat or drink when working with clay. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before eating and drinking and when the work is finished.

Wear a mask when mixing dry materials such as plaster of paris or a glaze, and to create less dust, always add the powder to the water rather than the water to the powder.

It is a good idea to choose a lead free earthenware glaze, as lead is poisonous.

To protect from dust, keep belongings such as mobile phones and personal stereos out of the workplace.

Finished work should be stored safely on shelves provided.

Patrick Johnson 11S1