Department of Fine Arts Health and Safety Plan

Formal Policy Statement

The Department of Fine Arts is committed to the safety of all faculty, staff, and students. The department does not allow the operation of machinery or handling of substances that pose a possible threat to health or safety by individuals who are not properly trained in the respective areas. Further, the department attempts to limit the use of hazardous equipment and materials by choosing viable alternatives that are less hazardous and by extensive use of safety equipment.

Glossary of Terms

Standard Operating Procedures

Any accident that occurs within the department is handled by immediately administering first aid and by transporting the individual to the appropriate venue for medical treatment. The department chairperson is notified of the event at the earliest possible convenience.

Chemical Inventory

The Department of Fine Arts maintains a file of all chemicals housed within the department. This file is maintained in the departmental office.

Material Safety Data Sheets

Material Safety Data Sheets for all products maintained in the department are found on file in the departmental office.

Chemical Storage

Ceramics is the only area in the department that maintains storage of chemicals. These chemicals are stored in lockers in Foust Hall #10 and under a tarp in the Ceramics Annex. Use of raw chemicals is restricted to faculty and staff.

Labeling

Free-floating Silica: This is a low grade hazard. Free-floating silica is found in all clays, feldspars, powdered silica, and some powdered glazes. Compounds which contain free-floating silica are appropriately labeled. This hazard may be minimized by the use of dust masks and by reducing the amount of dust in the air. The ceramics area keeps the majority of these products in open-air environments and cleans the area regularly to reduce dust levels. The department also provides respiratory protection to those working with these materials.

Engineering Controls

Operations within the Department of Fine Arts do not require the possession of departmental specific safety equipment.

Protective Equipment

Anyone who is involved in an activity which uses hazardous materials or equipment is provided with the appropriate safety equipment. Potentially hazardous activities are only encountered in the ceramics area. Equipment includes dust masks when assisting in mixing clays or glazes and protective clothing and eyewear when assisting in kiln firing.

Waste Storage and Disposal

The Department of Fine Arts does not produce or store hazardous waste.

Administrative Controls

The departmental chairperson is responsible, along with professors in individual areas, for the safe operation of the department.

Medical Aid

In the event of an accident, first aid is administered immediately (a first aid kit is maintained in the art program, Foust Hall # 16) and the individual is then transported to an appropriate medical facility for treatment. The department chairperson is notified at the earliest convenience.

Training

Clay mixing: Staff is trained by the art professor prior to being allowed to mix clay.

Kiln firing: Any staff or student who engages in firing of kilns will only do so under the direct supervision of the art professor and will be trained by the art professor prior to the activity.

Housekeeping

The Department of Fine Arts is committed to keeping a clean and safe working environment for faculty, staff and students. In addition to university housekeeping, departmental staff members are employed to keep special, high-use areas clean such as the art studios and ceramics areas.

Record Keeping

Records of accident reports are kept on file in the departmental office.