General Guidelines
- You must always immediately report every injury to the Department of Art and Design office.
- Call 911 from campus phones to report fires, medical emergencies, or request assistance from the campus police.
- Pay attention to the building fire alarms. Evacuate the building when the alarm goes off. No exceptions.
- Always know the location of the nearest emergency shower and eyewash.
- Always use proper eye protection (Safety Glasses, Goggles or Shields).
- EKU is a smoke free facility, please consult the university policy for details.
- Use appropriate fire cabinets for storing petroleum based paints and chemicals.
- Never eat, drink, or smoke in areas that use or handle hazardous materials. No exceptions.
- Never transport hazardous materials in personal vehicles.
- All chemical, wastes must be disposed of properly.
- Never clean up a chemical spill unless you are familiar with the materials. If you do not know the hazards involved, or if you do not have the necessary supplies or protective equipment contact the Art and Design Departmental Safety officer.
- It is the responsibility of faculty to enforce safety rules on students and on visitors.
- Proper safety equipment, such as eye protection, gloves, guards, and fire extinguishers must be readily available, operable, and known to all people in studio/classroom areas.
- Appropriate warning signs must be placed within studios and classrooms.
- Long hair and loose clothing must be constrained when using power tools.
- In the event of chemical spill, confine the spill material as much as possible. Use clay safety absorbent or diatomaceous solid absorbent to absorb any liquid.
- Labels must be maintained on all incoming chemical containers.
- Torn or defaced labels must be replaced immediately. Any style of label that maintains the identity of the hazardous chemical, appropriate hazard warnings, expiration date (if applicable) and name and address of the manufacturer or importer may be used.
- Exits are lighted and clear of obstruction.
- Every exit is clearly visible, or the route to reach every exit is conspicuously marked with exit signs so every occupant will readily know the direction of escape from any point.
- All stairwells and corridors are maintained free of all storage.
- Extension cords are not used in place of permanent wiring.
- Fire and smoke doors are not to be propped open. They may remain open or held open with magnetic hold back devices only.
Ceramics
- Always use the ventilation system during mixing.
- Always be alert to the potential to get your hands or clothing caught in mills, never put your hands in the hopper.
- Mix and weigh glazes in an exhaust hood. Wet mop spilled powders.
- Perform all glaze spraying in a ventilated booth.
- Wash hands after each use.
- Only persons who have been instructed in firing procedures may operate the gas kilns. A complete understanding of firing procedures and safety components is essential to avoid injuries or damage to the kiln.
Printmaking
- Gloves and goggles are necessary when using acids and may at times be necessary when using acids and may at times be necessary when using solvents or bleach.
- Maintain good ventilation, use the exhaust hoods.
- Be aware of the location of eye wash stations or other water source for drenching the skin and eyes.
Photography
- Know the specific hazards of what you are working with by reading the label or safety data sheets.
- Use gloves and eye goggles when necessary.
- Plan how to quickly flush your eyes in case of accidental exposure.
- Wash your hands after use.
- Make sure all containers are labeled properly.
Sculpture and Workroom
- All fire hazards shall be removed from the welding area.
- Goggles are required for torch soldering.
- When arc welding is suspended and unattended all electrodes shall be removed, and the machine disconnected. For fuel gas, the cylinders shall be shut off.
- The exhaust ventilation system must be used to remove fumes.
- Gas cylinders must be stored in the upright position & fully labeled.
- Guards and shields, which are provided with the equipment, must not be removed.
- Eye protection is required for most machine and tool operation.
- Damaged tools, including cords shall not be used and should be reported to the faculty.
- Workers/students must wear closed toed shoes.
Painting
- If possible use mineral spirits to clean oil brushes instead of turpentine.
- Wear neoprene gloves when cleaning brushes in solvents clean brushes under a fume hood.
- Avoid intermixing drinking, eating containers with paintbrush containers.