Ceramics Safety The importance of working safely and Studio Cleanup

Working with Clay… People have been working with clay for thousands of years. It is a critical component of many important events throughout the course of human history. Once fired, Clay is permanent. It lasts forever. But in order to work with this material one must be mindful and understand how to minimize the risks. thousands of years

Working safely with Clay Clay is very abundant. If you gathered it all up and spread evenly over the surface of the earth, you would create a mud layer a mile in thickness. Clay is alumina, silica and chemically bonded water. In its moist form clay is completely nontoxic. Dry clay however can be very dangerous. In order to work safely it is important to understand the material you are working with.

How can clay be dangerous? Clay is a very small hexagonal-plate-shaped particle material and can range from 100 microns (µ) to 0.1µ in size depending on the specific type of clay. (A micron is 1/1000 of an inch.) Potentially, the most hazardous particle sizes are below 10 microns, and potters should try to cut down the inhalation of particles to safe levels. The most dangerous clay dust cannot be seen. The particles are small enough that they can be airborne. Once inhaled they are too heavy to be exhaled and settle in the lungs. Long term exposure can lead to silicosis and other respiratory problems. Remember as long as clay is moist it is completely nontoxic!

Be sure to keep your piece damp. Always wrap and bag your work. Once it is dry it can no longer be worked with. Never sand or scrape dry clay. Sanding and scraping dry clay produces large amounts of dust. Use a damp sponge to smooth dry clay pieces before firing. Minimize the amount of dust you create. The less dust you create the better. If you are doing something that generates dust, Stop! Cleanup!!! Be sure to clean up after yourself. This includes the area where you work, the storage area and the tools that you use. Cleanup is critical to a safe working environment! Working safely with clay…

Studio Cleanup… The key to working safely is keeping the Ceramics room clean.Ceramics room clean All students are required to do the following to help ensure a safe working environment: Clean up after yourself! This includes your tools, tables and any other area where you work. Clean and sponge your shelf weekly. Shelves will be checked weekly. Be sure that they are clean and organized. Do not generate dust! If something you are doing is creating dust, Stop. Ask and we will find a dust free alternative.