Studio Health and Safety

Claire’s House Studio Health and Safety

 

We take studio safety very seriously. The risks associated with using a ceramics studio include:

• Risk to lungs from ceramic dust

• Exposure to toxic substances

• Risks from slips and trips

• Risks from heavy lifting

• Fire safety

• Cuts and burns

• Electrical hazards

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To address these risks we require every studio member to listen to a full health and safety induction before you start working. 

Please note: if you have a disability, you should make the studio manager aware of this when you come to work in the studio so that we can ensure we make appropriate adjustments in the interest of your safety, and that you are aware of the procedure that we will follow in the event of a fire.

Due to the numerous risks associated with a working studio, children are not allowed into the studio, except during scheduled classes, when they must be accompanied at all times by an adult unless a consent form has been completed prior to leaving with our class teacher who has enhanced DBS check.
 

 

Risks Identified
 

Risk to lungs from ceramic dust (particularly from Silicosis)

 

What Claire’s House does

• ‍Studio staff clean floors regularly

• All cleaning is wet cleaning using a wet vac to prevent dust from entering the atmosphere.

• Every area in the studio is cleaned at least once a week.

 

What studio users are required to do

• Clean your work area, and any other areas of the studio needing attention for at least 10 minutes at the end of each visit.

• Communicate with staff if you notice an area of the studio which requires extra cleaning attention.

• Do not create dust while turning or during any other process on the wheel. Carry out any dust making exercise while outside.

• Purchase your own ceramic graded dust mask for use when you are doing any dust creating process. For example, a Force 8 P3 Respirator, which you can get on Amazon.

• If you bring your own apron wash it regularly. Dry clay dust creates a silicosis hazard.

 

Health risk from toxic substances

 

What Claire’s House does

• We exclude known toxic substances from use in the studio, including barium and lead.

• We provide pre-mixed glazes so that members do not need to mix their own materials.

• We conduct all glaze mixing in a vented space away from the main work area. The vast majority of our glazes are food safe.

• All of the kilns that are located in working areas of the studio are externally vented using a vent system which prevents substances entering the air during firing.

 

What studio users are required to do

• You MUST NOT touch a kiln at Claire’s House Studio unless invited to by an on duty staff member.

• Due to the potentially sharp nature of silica surfaces, cuts are an everyday hazard when practicing ceramics. It’s important that you wear gloves when using a sharp material.In the event that you are cut, we provide plasters, bandages and disinfectant. Please ask the staff member on duty for assistance, and make sure your wound is properly disinfected and covered before continuing to work.

• We ask that you tie up your hair and tuck in any loose cords when using the wheels to avoid the risk of your hair or clothing getting caught in the motor.

 

Risks from slips and trips

 

What Claire’s House does

• Provide a neat and tidy work area where everything has a place.

• Provide well-located power sockets to prevent the need for extension cables that could create trip hazards.

• Ensure adequate lighting for all areas in regular use.

 

What studio users are required to do

• Ensure that your work and storage areas are kept neat.

• Your clay should be kept tucked away in the designated area.

• Do not leave objects anywhere else but the designated area.

 

Risk from heavy lifting

 

What Claire’s House does

• We provide information in the studio about safe lifting practices.

• We provide a sack barrow for the heavy items in the studio.

 

What studio users are required to do

• Do not lift heavy items without checking with a staff member first.

 

Fire safety

 

What Claire’s House does

• We regularly reviews fire safety procedures and is compliant with all government regulations.

 

What studio users are required to do

• Ensure you are familiar with all fire procedures (explained during induction).

• Know the location of our fire meeting point at the corner of Hatter Street and Churchgate Street (opposite shop and studio)

 

Cuts and burns and work hazards

 

What Claire’s House does

• Only trained staff members use kilns at Claire’s House. Kilns are kept in a designated area of the studio where studio members should not have to have close proximity.

• Gloves are provided for all processes that might involve coming into contact with a sharp surface (for example, cleaning kiln shelves of glaze). These are carried out by trained staff members.

• Provide a well-stocked and easily accessible H&S box with plasters and disinfectant.

‍What studio users are required to do

• You MUST NOT touch a kiln at Claire’s House unless invited to by an on duty staff member.

• Due to the potentially sharp nature of silica surfaces, cuts are an everyday hazard when practicing ceramics. It’s important that you wear gloves when using a sharp material.

• In the event that you are cut, we provide plasters, bandages and disinfectant. Please ask the staff member on duty for assistance, and make sure your wound is properly disinfected and covered before continuing to work.

• We ask that you tie up your hair and tuck in any loose cords when using the wheels to avoid the risk of your hair or clothing getting caught in the motor.

 

Electrical hazards

 

What Claire’s House does

• We are compliant with all laws and regulations.

• All electrical equipment is PAT safety tested annually.

• Only trained people are permitted to use our large electrical equipment - e.g. kilns.

• All kilns are fitted with a safety switch so that they cannot be opened while the electricity is on.

 

What studio users are required to do

• If you bring in electrical tools (for example a hairdryer or a heat gun) these must be within their guarantee period, or be included in our annual PAT testing to ensure their safety.

 

 

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