WHew536674@cs.com on sun 12 dec 99
Celia submitted a good post today when she told us about the "messy" studio,
and posted a good question when she asked if schools had any "rules" about
safety in the studios. Based on my experiences at 5 different colleges in
the past 30 years, I'm afraid my answer would have to be no. Where I
currently teach, the only thing that was ever asked of me regarding this
subject, was a for a list of toxic materials that they could put into a
binder, and have sitting on the shelf should someone at some point in time
come around and ask for. The chairman is in print making, and knows what is
toxic in his area, and does a good job of taking care of it. As for my area
in ceramics, he doesn't have a clue. I don't hold that against him, but on
the other hand I was never asked about venting the kiln, or open bags of
silica either. So, it is up to me to take those precautions. I know that is
not the answer most would not like to hear, but that is the way it appears to
be.
Joyce A
Mission, TX
Jeff Campana on mon 13 dec 99
Maybe I'll come across as a bit of an asshole here, but I don't really think it
is neccissary for a school to put rules into place that a teacher should
follow. One of the main things a teacher should teach are the dangers of
working in their medium. The rules should be put in place by the instructor, so
that when asked by any student, the instructor will have real reasons for such
rules, rather than the "department policy" copout. It is necisarry for anyone
planning to open a studio to be well versed in the safety precautions necissary
for working with clay. I think the teachers are fully responsible for teaching
safety as one of the main areas of beginning ceramics. As for poor Celia, I am
sorry your teacher has no regard for safety, and you should simply give OSHA a
call. They are there for specifically that reason. Nobody should ever be
forced to work or study in an unsafe atmosphere. This sloppy ceramics teacher
needs to learn his lesson badly.
On a lighter note, if a lazy slob like that can get a job teaching ceramics,
maybe I'll actually stand a chance at becoming a professor someday:)
Jeff Campana
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Celia submitted a good post today when she told us about the "messy" studio,
> and posted a good question when she asked if schools had any "rules" about
> safety in the studios. Based on my experiences at 5 different colleges in
> the past 30 years, I'm afraid my answer would have to be no. Where I
> currently teach, the only thing that was ever asked of me regarding this
> subject, was a for a list of toxic materials that they could put into a
> binder, and have sitting on the shelf should someone at some point in time
> come around and ask for. The chairman is in print making, and knows what is
> toxic in his area, and does a good job of taking care of it. As for my area
> in ceramics, he doesn't have a clue. I don't hold that against him, but on
> the other hand I was never asked about venting the kiln, or open bags of
> silica either. So, it is up to me to take those precautions. I know that is
> not the answer most would not like to hear, but that is the way it appears to
> be.
> Joyce A
> Mission, TX
Don Pipes & Mary Van Peursem on tue 12 dec 00
Where can I find a copy Monona Rossol's "The Artists Complete Health and =
Safety Guide?
Thank you
Mary Van Peursem
Island Pottery
Corpus Christi, Tx 78418
Fabienne Micheline Cassman on tue 12 dec 00
Hello Mary,
I know http://www.amazon.com has it; however, try http://www.bookfinder.com
which is a great place to dig up treasures. I have ordered through both
and have never had trouble.
Fabienne
At 10:09 AM 12/12/2000 -0600, you wrote:
>Where can I find a copy Monona Rossol's "The Artists Complete Health and =
>Safety Guide?
--
Milky Way Ceramics http://www.milkywayceramics.com/
Yes, I have learned from my mistakes...
I can reproduce them exactly.
Dupre Mr Marcy M on thu 23 may 02
I was looking for a laboratory flask on-line. I'd like to get one for
accurately measuring liquids, either glazes or plain water. Just wanted to
get accurate. The Pyrex masuring cup I "liberated" from the kitchen is so
old, most of the graduated marks are wearing off from repeated washings.
During the course of my search, I came upon this web site:
http://www.levity.com/alchemy/safety.html
The author has listed a number of safety concerns for the school chemistry
and science laboratory, with respect to handling compounds, chemicals, and
equipment. I recall an earlier string of warnings on Walker pug mills, and
other equipment.
Perhaps we might consider compiling a list of warnings and cautions for all
the potentially harmful stuff we do, come in contact with, and operate.
Seems a prudent person might "safety" himself out of a job, but the warnings
need to be issued, nonetheless. I remember many years ago in college, the
student-assistant teacher telling us, "Yup. This stuff's kinda dangerous.
Ya don't want to get caught in it. Now, here's how you turn it on..." No
other warnings.
I know we are all reasonably intelligent folks, otherwise we wouldn't be in
the craft to begin with. :o) Still, I get "bitten" every now and again.
Forget to put on a mask. Forget to wear latex gloves. Touch potentially
hot surfaces with bare skin. Handle an item with a little too much haste...
You know the drill. Lose atention to detail and you might lose and eye, or
worse...
What do you think? If nothing else, the newcomers might be able to benefit
from our collective mistakes.
Tig
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