Visual arts

Use the least toxic product available (e.g. waterbased dyes, inks, adhesives, waterbased paints, pigments and oxides).

Use chemicals according to established safety processes (e.g. product label instructions, SDS, SOP, chemical risk assessment).

Do not use cutting oils that contain amines or nitrates.

Do not use antifreeze as a lubricant or coolant.

Use only the smallest quantity that will guarantee the viability of the activity.

Implement protection and handling processes to avoid accidental contact (e.g. rinsing equipment after use). Ensure there is no feathering of acid when etching.

Dilute chemicals by adding chemicals into water, not the reverse. Individually supervise students when diluting acids.

Manage spills immediately.

Note: Carcinogenic dust is created when some products are cut, sawn, abraded, sanded or crushed (e.g. concrete, clay, hardboard, MDF).

Comply with control measures for preparation, use and disposal of materials provided on the vendor SDS and/or safety instructions on the product label.

Cover all work spaces with paper or plastic. After dampening by flooding, dispose of the paper or plastic.

Always wear the personal protective equipment required by the SDS (e.g. eye and respiratory protection), including during clean-up.

Minimise dust during the activity:

• use a fume cupboard and/or fit extraction bags to equipment, as appropriate
• avoid filing or sanding in the dry state wherever possible
• keep spray bottles, wet rags, sponges and water containers nearby
• wash clothing separately, including aprons, to remove hazardous dusts and oils.

Clean up the work area using the wet method, never dry brush or blow. Dampen down all surfaces then use a wet sponge to wash tables, tools, and floor. Remove dust from electrical devices using a HEPA filtered vacuum.

Do not use concrete in a way that may generate dust. Use an alternative that does not contain crystalline silica.

Use the lowest firing clay possible to achieve the learning outcome.

Do not ball mill dry clay.

Always mix powdered clay outside wearing an appropriate dust mask.

Do not pour powdered clay directly into a container from any height. Instead, place the bag in the container, then cut the bag open and slowly put in the amount required, then lift the bag out. Slowly pour the water onto the clay powder by getting as close to the powder as possible. Start slowly mixing the clay body until all the clay becomes moist.

Do not slap/slam clay down onto canvas clay boards. Wash canvas boards outside with water immediately after use.

Never brush or sand dry clay. Use a wet sponge to achieve the same effect.

Premix powdered dyes and oxides. Wear a dust mask and avoid generating dust when measuring out powders and mixing. Mix powders in a box lined with damp paper towel in the bottom of a sink to control spills and dust.

Instruct students on the potential hazards of found objects (e.g. plants, shells) before collecting them for use.

Do not heat or cool glass quickly.

Participants must wear personal protective equipment (e.g. cut resistant gloves) when handling glass or metals with sharp edges.

All glazes containing barium and the salt-glazing process are prohibited.

Glazes with blue, red or green colours/oxides are not to be applied to the surface of an artefact intended to contain food or beverages.

Purchase glazes in a pre-mixed form.

Do not heat or cool quickly.

Spray glazes in a spray booth.

Closely supervise participants using plaster, as it may cause severe burns when setting on the skin. Apply petroleum jelly or barrier cream onto the skin to avoid contact.

Wash plaster off skin before it sets. Keep a bucket of fresh cold water, a sponge and towel available to rinse off plaster splashes.

Do not carry out body casting directly onto the skin. Use a barrier between the skin and plaster (e.g. cling film).

Carry out body casting in sections and only on body parts where the cast can be lifted away at any stage (i.e. not in a container of wet plaster of Paris).

When mixing plaster, ensure that face masks or goggles are worn to protect the eyes.

Avoid filing or sanding plaster in the dry state wherever possible.

Do not use equipment or utensils intended to contain food or beverages.

Closely supervise participants using heat sources. Never leave melting/molten wax unattended.

Conduct hot wax activities (including ironing out wax) under extraction fans, in a fume cupboard or outdoors.

Use cold wax, or a wax blend with the lowest possible melting point, to achieve the desired learning outcome. One-third beeswax and two-thirds paraffin wax is recommended.

Use a lid to cover the wax when melting to avoid ignition.

Do not douse wax fires with water.

Use an electric frying pan as the heating vessel and a thermometer. Heat the wax slowly and do not allow wax to exceed 45°C. Do not allow the wax to smoke or boil.

Avoid moving hot melted wax.

Do not allow the level of wax to get too low.

Remove wax by ironing between several layers of absorbent paper. Do not use solvents such as petrol, white spirits or carbon tetrachloride to remove wax from fabrics, tools and surfaces.

Use an electric air compressor or a cylinder of compressed air as the air source when air-brushing. It is recommended that compressors for air-brushes be installed outside the room.

Use non-toxic water-based acrylics or water-based inks for air-brushing.

Restrict use to a particular work area. Do not move the torch under any circumstances.

Closely supervise students using propane torches.

When applying heat to leather using a propane torch, the leather must be placed on heat-resistant material and water should be kept close at hand to extinguish any ignited leather.

Do not use solvents or solvent-based dyes/lacquers near naked flames or hot objects.

Use flameproof material when gas torches are used. Bench tops should be surrounded by on 3 sides to retain heat and exclude draughts.

Screen gas cylinders from any naked flame.

Ensure hand tools are sharp and in good condition.

Closely supervise participants using sharp tools.

Provide additional equipment to enhance safety (e.g. non-slip bench supports for cutting lino).

Always cut away from the body. Keep hands away from sharp edges and the free hand behind the tool.

Students must not be directly involved in the use or operation of kilns. Refer to the kilns in schools. Follow the hazard alert for art kilns.

Ensure hands, hair and clothes are away from cables, rollers, moving parts and pinch points when adjusting the shims, positioning the canvas/clay and/or when rolling clay.

Secure, level and balance the pottery wheel to reduce vibration and movement.

Ensure the power cord or water from the splash pan does not pose a slip or trip hazard.

Ensure hands, hair and clothes are away from moving parts and pinch points.

Ensure pug mills have a grate.

Allow only one user at a time.

For students in Prep to Year 6, teacher demonstration must be used as the principal teaching strategy for activities involving sharps or heat (e.g. lino cutting, molten wax).

Follow the school’s sun safety strategy if participating outdoors and cease the activity if the weather becomes unfavourable (e.g. extreme temperatures, thunderstorms).

Inspect equipment for damage/cracks before use.

Keep all cutting tools sharp, well maintained and stored in a safe manner.

Use correct manual handling processes when lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying.

Use hearing protection when excessive noise is generated (e.g. using air-compressors or hammering).

Remove accessories (e.g. jewellery, lanyard) before participating.

Ensure fingernails, hair and clothing do not interfere with the activity.

Wash hands and other contaminated areas of the body with soap and water before leaving the activity site.

Direct all sharp objects away from body.

Use physical barriers around artworks with dangerous projections, particularly when on open display where children may be present.

Make clean-up equipment available (e.g. broom, dustpan and brush).

Manage spills immediately.

Clean brushes and equipment quickly.

Dispose of dye solutions daily.

Use waste bins that allow air to circulate or keep oily waste in water.

Dispose of oil/chemical-soaked items promptly, including emptying bins.

Wash hands immediately after the activity and whenever dust is generated. Wash clothing, including aprons, to remove hazardous materials (e.g. oils, dusts).