Art Safety

Hazards in the visual arts are found in almost all media.

Chemical hazards in particular are very common since art materials contain a wide variety of toxic chemicals. These include solvents in paints, inks, thinners, and paint removers; metals like lead and cadmium in pigments, pottery glazes, copper enamels, and silver solders; dusts like silica and asbestos in clays, talcs, and glazes; dyes; acids and alkalis in dyeing assistants, intaglio etches, and pickling baths; and many more. 

A major cause of injuries to fingers, hands and eyes is the improper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).  Other hazards include eye damage caused by ultraviolet and infrared radiation from welding, foundries, kilns, and carbon arcs; hearing loss from noisy machinery. 

Note:  Many artistic processes result in the generation of hazardous waste.  Examples of waste generated in these areas include:

• Paper trash contaminated with inks, oil paint and thinners
• Empty spray paint cans
• Waste glaze in the ceramics studio
• Waste fixer in the photographic darkrooms

As the generator of such waste, you are responsible for ensuring that the proper disposal procedures are followed.  If you have any questions, contact your instructor, or call the Director of EH&S at ext. 2252.

Last Modified: Tuesday, July 07, 2009 17:22