Fundamental Safety Precautions for Potters Written by: Kris Gildenblatt, RNC, WHNP-BC

Safe and Sane Your kitchen can be a dangerous place: hot ovens and stoves, sharp knives, and dangerous appliances. We all know basic safety information to manage safely in our kitchens. The purpose of this presentation is to inform potters about common sense and sane measures we can take to insure safety in the pottery studio. As with most fun things in life, the potential for injury exists. This presentation will help us keep hazards at a manageable level.

Exposure There are three main ways ceramic materials can enter the body: The Lungs- inhalation The Skin-dermal absorption The Mouth- ingestion

Take Care of Your Lungs Inhalation is the most common way for ceramic materials to enter the body. This is a potential source of health risk and can lead to respiratory disease with long term exposure. Every potter needs to be aware of how to minimize the amount of clay, glaze, and chemical particles are floating around the studio. These particles are too small to be seen with the naked eye. The most important measure each potter can take is to carry out studio clean-up procedures.

Dry Clay Risk Dry clays contain free silica, which can become inhaled deeply into the lungs. Long term, repeated, daily exposure to this substance can potentially cause silicosis- a lung disease which can cause shortness of breath and susceptibility to other lung ailments. Do not handle dry clay or other dry materials, such as glaze materials without using safety equipment such as a mask.

Prevention is Key All DRY materials should be stored in air-tight containers. Do not handle DRY materials unless under the direct supervision of knowledgeable personnel. Always place DRY clay scraps into a water-filled container to prevent them from becoming airborne. During glaze application such as brushing, spraying, or dipping, the primary concern is to minimize the amount of any dry glaze from becoming airborne.

Follow these Rules Once glaze has dried, do not smooth or rub the dry glaze on your piece with fingers or rubbing tools while inside the studio. Take your piece outside to rub or smooth the glaze. Rubbing and smoothing will release glaze particles into the air. Do not trim excess clay from pots once it is bone dry. Be sure and trim only when the surface is “leather hard”.

Protect yourself and your friends Do not DRY SWEEP or DRY DUST any surface in the studio without the proper respirator equipment. Instead, use only a wet mop or sponge while cleaning. Remember- particles will collect everywhere in the studio: on the shelves, in cracks and crevices, on the floor, etc. Keep your own workspace as clean as you can.

Safety First Remember- the goal is to cut down on breathing in particles from dry clay, glazes, and other materials. Do NOT SAND dry clay inside the studio under any circumstance. Do all DRY SANDING OUTSIDE. During warm weather, be sure the windows in the studio are open at all times to insure adequate ventilation.

Protect your Lungs In the winter months, go outside periodically to breathe fresh air. As clay dries on clothing, tools, towels, and other equipment, it may become airborne. Clean your tools and other equipment after each use. Keep your pottery clothing and towels clean. Transport heavily soiled aprons and towels in sealed bags until they can be laundered. Consider having studio shoes to leave at the studio, rather than tracking dust into your car and your home.

Safety First When in doubt, wear a mask If you see an issue with safety, talk to your pottery instructor. Develop good habits and clean up after yourself.

When is a Respirator Required? When working with DRY materials and chemicals. When mixing DRY clay. When mixing DRY glazes.

Quick facts about respirators If you would like to wear a respirator, you should have your OWN. A respirator needs to be properly fitted by a skilled professional. A respirator needs to be comfortable. Respirator filters need to be changed regularly.

Smithy Students and Potters No one should receive any raw material into the studio unless specifically permitted to do so. The Material Safety Data Sheet for each raw material should accompany the material.

Skin The skin is the largest organ of the human body. Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap after working with clay. Be sure to gently remove all clay from nails and nail beds with washing. Using a gentle nail brush may help remove stubborn clay. (use your own brush, do not share) Working with clay can cause dry skin.

Skin Dry skin can lead to cracks in the skin. Some individuals will develop a dermatitis (inflammation of the skin). If dermatitis is a problem, consider wearing gloves while working with clay. Consider always wearing gloves when working with glaze. Remember- moist clay will harbor bacteria and molds. Therefore, always wash your hands at the end of each session. Apply skin lotion liberally once your hands are clean and dry, and AFTER you are finished working for the day. (Lotion can act as a wax-resist on bisque ware)

Skin Do not wear jewelry when working with clay. If you have a cut on your hand or fingers, wear gloves while working with clay or glazes for protection. Always wash your hands before leaving the studio. Use a clean dry towel or paper towels. Do not dry clean hands with the dirty towel hanging next to the sink!

Ingestion Wash hands thoroughly before eating or drinking. Food should be stored outside the pottery studio area in airtight containers. Carefully supervise young children in the pottery studio. Do not bring your pet to the studio. If you have used wooden kitchen utensils for your pottery projects, NEVER use them in the kitchen again (for example: wooden spoons for stirring or scraping).

Protect your eyes, face, wrists, and back Wear eye or face shield when grinding or chipping fired glaze off pots. Back pain may occur when improperly lifting heavy objects. Ask for help when carrying heavy objects. Lift with gluteal muscles and legs instead of straining your lower back. NEVER reach into a kiln unless specifically instructed to do so.

Protect your eyes, face, wrists, and back Reduce the amount of repetitive activities done at one time: instead of wedging 10 balls of clay at once, break up this activity into segments….five now, five later. Make sure the height of your chair is level with the height of the wheel head in order to protect your back. Some potters find it helpful to tip their stool forward while working on the wheel. (Place a 2 x 6 under the back two legs of the stool). Change positions slowly when moving from sitting at the wheel to standing, especially if you have been sitting there for a while!

Conclusion Practicing these tips consistently and using common sense will help produce a safe and fun working environment.