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DOCUMENT RESUME SO 025 588 ED 395 844 Art Safety. TITLE British Columbia Art Teachers Association, INSTITUTION Vancouver. ISSN-0710-0744 REPORT NO PUB DATE 91 NOTE 41p. British Columbia Art Teachers' Association, AVAILABLE FROM Provincial Specialist Association of the BCTF, 100-550 West Sixth Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4P2, Canada. Guides Serials (022) Collected Works PUB TYPE Non-Classroom Use (055) BCATA Journal for Art Teachers; v31 n2 Fall 1991 JOURNAL CIT MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage. EDRS PRICE *Art Education; *Art Materials; Ceramics; Foreign DESCRIPTORS Countries; *Hazardous Materials; Legal Responsibility; Plastics; Poisons; Printing; Safety; *School Safety; Visual Arts Canada; Kilns; Workplace Hazardous Materials IDENTIFIERS Information System ABSTRACT Advocating that Canadian art programs should use and model environmentally safe practices, the articles in this journal focus on issues of safe practices in art education. Articles are: (1) (2) "Safety Precautions for Specific Art "What is WHMIS?"; (4) "Using Clay, Glazes, and Processes"; (3) "Toxic Substances"; Kilns Safely in the Classroom" (Mary Daniels); (5) "Ventilation"; (6) (8) "Monoprinting on Plexiglass" "Safety Tips"; (7) "Liability"; (10) "Non-Glaze Finishes (9) "Easy Stained Glass Work"; --(Wing Chow) ; (11) "Safety Symbols"; and (12) "Resources for Clay" (Arlene Smith); for Art Safety." (MM) * * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * from the original document. **********************************************AA*;:*********** -^-- Volume 31 Number 2 ---*".--- Fall 1991 4.11MIA , JOURNAL FOR ART TEACHERS IIIII UMW Attr:,- +77.-7 777.-77.-- ,;,;',IT1:-- i l-1. , at, - t.tr; 17. - ', !-"()LuC.I.: AND PERN11:-51(;N S i :,1Arf i I [ 11 I Cr HAS BEF."1 j. UJJ) I ')(.- f' IJIILES TOTH !,AL k, A; N!! 5 e 1 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION tce fl F r' -4 r EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION :,11Mill:e411% CENTER ERIC, Ai 1 2' his document has heen reproduced as mgart,/,iton 1 a Vecerved from the per ,,, origin:11u," it - 1 ..- _ 0 Minor changes have heen made to improve repro:Rid:on quaity .,A 4 s Points col view or opinions stated in this document do not necessa-Iy repiesent 14 II OERI posiben s. 'T N, - s 4k ) fr - 5-rok' 'ONG Ara o7yre 2-- I s ; Art Serety British Columbia Art Teachers Association "Mb Journal Editor:Sharon McCoubrey Volume 31 Number 2 Fall 1991 BCATA, Provincial Specialist Association of the BCTF 105 2235 Burrard Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6J 3H9 ART SAFETY Contents Editor's View 3 What is WHMIS? 5 Safety Precautions for Specific Art Processes 9 Toxic Substances 14 Using Clay, Glazes, and Kilns Safely in the Classroom 18 Mary Daniels Ventilation 21 Safety Tips 24 Liability 27 Monoprinting on Plexiglass 29 Wing Chow Easy Stained Glass Work 32 Non-Glaze Finishes For Clay 34 Arlene Smith Safety Symbols 36 Resources for Art Safety 39 ISSN 0710 - 0744 The BCATA Journal for Art Teachers is an official publication of the British Columbia Art Teachers' Association. The opinions expressed in the journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or the association. 1 3 ILLUSTRATION CREDITS The image on the front cover of this journal is a monoprint made using the method described in this journal. It was created by Alex Miller, a teacher at Braemar Elementary School in North Vancouver. The two monoprints that accompany that article were created by two Grade 12 art students, Lay la Miller and Sarah McCoubrey, working with art teacher Rick Davidson at George Elliot Secondary School in Winfield, B.C., Central Okanagan School District. The drawings that are presented throughout this journal were created by these students in S.D. 23, Central Okanagan: Grade 4 students at Pearson Elementary with Mr. Lon Brinton. Grade P2-P3 students ac South Rutland with Mrs. Marilyn Steinhauer. Grade P3 students at S. Rutland Elementary with Mrs. Judi May. 4 EDATOR'S VIE In 1981, the BCATA published a journal ART HAZARDS IN THE CLASSROOM. Now, 10 information available about years later, we are issuing an update on that topic. There is new safety, and new regulations, WMHIMS in particular,that relate to art education. The 1981 journal was a very informative, helpful resource, some of its contents have been re-printed in this journal. A number of other resources have been particularly helpful in compiling this informaiton about Safety and Art, including the Worker's Compensation Board's publications and a valuable book, SAFETY IN THE ARTROOM, by Charles A. Qualley. Our increased awareness of the environment's precarious situation should cause us to reconsider some of the practices and materials we have used in our art classes. Our art programs should use and model environmentally safe practices. The information offered in this journal about safety is applicable to both elementary and secondary art programs. Although it is important for a teacher to know what to do in the case of an accident or emergency, this journal is not intended as a first-aid guide. The information here will hopefully help us prevent accidents. The sections of this journal will address the different hazards to be aware of, WHIMS regulations, various safety requirements, and some general guidelines that will promote safety. In ad dition, several lesson plans have been in .iuded to give examples of art activities that use alternatives to some hazardous art proje,ts. Reading about all the possible dangers of the materials we use when doing art could cause one to become alarmed. The intend is not to cause anxiety abou t art activities,bu t to provide the information needed for teachers to use a preventative approach to Art Safety. Sharon McCoubrey, Editor 3 WHAT IS WHMIS? INFORMATION SYSTEM WORKPLACE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS A controlled product is a substance or mate- following rial that falls into one or more of the classes or divisions. CLASS A: COMPRESSED GAS This class includes compressed gases, dissolved by compression or gases and gases liquified Sometime during the past several years, many Examples: gas cylinders for refridgeration. teachers may have heard about or been involved that oxyaceltylene welding or water disinfection. in something called WHMIS. It is possible and its implica- our understanding of WHMIS unclear. CLASS B: FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTI- tions for us as art teachers is still a little BLE MATERIAL. This brief summary is an attempt to clarify WHMIS Solids, liquids and gases capable of catching fire by providing the basic details of the system. of a source c f igni- or exploding in the presence Further information should be sought as neces- tion. Examples: white phosphorus, acetone and sary. butane. Flammable liquids such as acetone are liquids more easily ignited than combustible The information given here is a summary of such as kerosene. the small booklet entitled 'WHAT'S WHMIS?", 1990, published by Workers Compensation CLASS C: OXIDIZING MATERIAL Board. I have extracted the information that re- Materials which provide oxygen or similar sub- tes most specifically to Art. stance and which increase the risk of fire if they combustible The purpose of WHMIS is to help reduce the come in contact with flammable or materials. Examples: sodium hypochlorite, likelihood of disease or injury in the workplace. perchloric acid, inorganic peroxides. There are three main players involved in WHMIS: 1. employee CLASS D: POISONOUS AND INFECTIOUS 2. employer MATERIALS supplier. 3. Materials Causing Immediate Division 1: There are three main requirements of W1-IMIS: and Serious Toxic Effects. This division covers controlled product 1. materials which can cause the death of a person labelling exposed to small amounts. Examples: sodium material safety data sheets 2. cyanide, hydrogen sulphide. 3. worker education and training programs. Division 2: Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects. This division covers materials which These three requirements will be addressed indi- vidually with the responsibilities of the 3 players cause immediate skin or eye irritation as well as those which can cause long-term effects in a given each time. 5 MN= person repeatedly exposed to small amounts. precautionary statements 4. Examples acetone(irritant), asbestos (cancer caus- first aid measures 5. ing), toluene diisocyanate (a sensitizing agent). a statement advising that a material safety 6. data sheet (MSDS) is available. Division 3: Bichazardous Infectious Materi- supplier identification. 7. als. This division applies to materials which contain harmful microorganisms. Examples: cul- The supplier label must have a distinctive tures or disgnostic specimens containing salmo- border, as shown in the example below, and nella bacteria or the hepatitis B virus. must be in bc,t;: official languages. IFIIIIIIIMIIIIMLIIMILIKIIILIELIMILIIII:11111111111111 CLASS E: CORROSIVE MATERIAL I Caustic or acid materials which can destroy the IProduct Identifier skin or eat through metals. Examples: muriatic P I 12 acid, lye. El ill p Risk Phrase(s) E CLASS F: DANGEROUSLY REACTIVE P IExamples of Precautionary MATERIAL. 0 Hazard Symbols P Statement(si Products which can undergo dangerous reaction 1 El ! if subjected to heat, pressure, shock or allowed to First aid 0 Measures contact water. Examples: plastic monomers such Il 12 Reference to the as butadiene and 'some cyanides. P 0 I Material Safety Data Sheet il ! / Supplier Identifier Some materials are partially exempted from this list of controlled materials because they are 1111111111.11Wilia1110111111111111111111111kMLIIIVIII covered by other labelling legislature. These THE EMPLOYER'S ROLE products include: some consumer products, cos- metics and drugs, explosives, pesticides, radio- The employer is responsible for checking that active substances. supplier labels have been provided and applied Some materials are completely exempted, to controlled products received at the workplace. Worders must be instructed in the information such as wood and products made of wood, manu- The em- factured articles, tobacco and products made of contained on labels and identifiers. tobacco, and goods handled, offered for trans- ployer must take steps to ensure labels are not port or transported pursuant to the Transporta- defaced and are easy to read at all times. tion of Dangerous Goods Act. THE SUPPLIER'S ROLE THE EMPLOYEE'S ROLE The supplier must prepare and make available a supplier label, which will typically provide seven Workers who work with controlled products pieces of information: will be expected to handle them in accordance with safe work procedures. In addition, they are -oduct identification 1. to inform employers when the labels are illegible .1zard symbols representing the classes 2. or have been accidently removed. . and divisions into which the product falls. risk phrases 3. 6 THE EMPLOYER'S ROLE TERIAL Employers must ensure that MSDS's are re- DATA S ceived for all controlled products supplied to the workplace. The employer must contact the supplier for an updated sheet when the data sheet at The MSDS, Material Safety Data Sheet, is a the workplace is three years old. technical bulletin which provides detailed hazard, precautionary and emergency information If the employer produces a controlled prod- on a controlled product. uct for use at the workplace, the employer must develop an MSDS to acc, npany workplace la- All data sheets must provide nine sections of belling for it. content: Copies of supplier and employer MSDS must 1. product information be accessible to employees, close to their work 2. hazardous ingredients Work- areas and available during each workshift. physical data 3. er's must be educated in the content required on fire and explosion hazard 4. the data sheet and the applicable information in reactivity data 5. it. toxicological properties (health effects) 6. 7. preventive measures ORKER first aid measures 8. EDUCATION preparation information (date of preparation 9. and the name and phone number of persons or corporate departments to be contacted for additional information.) EMPLOYER'S ROLE No section of the data sheet can be left blank. No data sheet may be more than three years old. Employers will need to establish education and training programs for workers. The program of instruction will include: THE SUPPLIER'S ROLE education in how WHMIS works 1. training in procedures for the safe storage, 2. Suppliers must develop or obtain MSDS in handling, use and disposal of a controlled both official languages for each controlled prod- product, as well as procedures to be followed uct they sell or import. Information must be in case of an emergency with the product and current and prepared not more than three years when airborne or other emissions from the before sale or importation. product are present. A copy of the current material safety data Workers will need to be educated if they: sheet must be sent to the purchaser on or before the date of sale at the time of first purchase. store, handle, use or dispose of a controlled product or supervise workers performing those duties 7 KIM Administrative controls such as work 2. work near the controlled product such that procedures, storage arrangements, their health and safety could be at risk during maintenance and time scheduling. normal storage, handling use or disposal, - Personal protective equipment such as during maintenance operations or in respirators, gloves and protective emergencies. clothing. Establish Emergency Procedures. The objective of the program of instruction 6. Provide Worker Education. must be to ensure that workers are able to apply 7. 8. Review and Upgrade the program. the information to protect their health and safety. Many teachers may have taken part in some inservice about WHM1S, and therefore may al- The program of instruction must be devel- ready be well informed, however, anyone need- oped and implemented in consultation with the ing more specific information is encouraged to safety and health committee or representative. It refer to the publications about WHMIS. A IL y must be reviewed at least once a year or more system, including WMHIS is effective only to the often if conditions at the workplace or informa- degree -to which it is implemented and an ac- tion about the product changes the risk to work- countability process is in pla-e. As teachers, we ers. can ensure that we do our pai c to follow WHM1S regulations for the sake of our own and our ut WHMIS information is in the form of labelling and data sheets. Other workplace informa- students' safety. IN tion includes a knowledge of the hazards of the Oonnt workplace use of the product, which depends on factors such as quantities used, work processes tONICic -Nil and work location. For example, the hazards of 119 spray painting inside a confined space are far different from hand brushing the same product os. em in open air. Workers must be educated in hazards and trained in work procedures. To implement WHMIS, the employer will need to: Assign responsibility for program 1. implementation. Establish an inventory of controlled 2. products. Ensure that WHMIS labelling and Data Sheets 3. are in Place by Compliance dates. Determine the Hazards of controlled 4. products in the workplace. Establish Workplace controls, which may 5. include: -Engineering controls, such as ventilation, process modification and isolation of the source. 4. 8 .4 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR SPECIFIC ART PROCEDURES Chromium Oxide Green, Veridian, Chrome Much of the safety information that relates to Yellow, Zinc Yellow, Strontium Yellow art education is of a general nature and can be (Chromium) found in the various sections of this journal. Cobalt Blue, Cobalt Green, Cobalt Yellow, These precautions should be adhered to at all Cerulean Blue, Cobalt Violet (Cobalt) times. Those hazards which are particular to Flake White, Naples Yellow, Chrome Yellow specific art processes will be addressed here. (Lead) Manganese Blue, Raw Umber, Burnt Umber, DRAWING Mars Brown, Manganese Violet (Manganese) This is often thought of as a reasonably safe area Vermillion, Cadmium Vermillion Red of art education, but there are several concerns. (Mercury) Aerosol spray fixatives used on charcoal or pastel drawings must be used only in Generally, these toxins cause irritation of the extremely well ventilated areas, and respiratory tract and the muccous membranes preferably outdoors. and are corrosive to the skin. Check with the Charcoal and pastels can produce a dust when Toxic Substances Chart in this journal to deter- they are being worked that should not be mine specific effects. inhaled. Use only water-based felt markers. Avoid Even though the hazards of painting may permanent markers because they may seem extensive, a few precautions can make contain toluene or other toxic solvents. painting a safe art activity. Use only oil crayons that are non-toxic. Keep food away from the painting area. Use a stump and not a finger to smudge or Maintain good housekeeping standards in blend pastels. Some pigments are toxic and the art room to prevent paint spills and can be absorbed through the skin, or residues. transferred from finger to mouth. Never put paint brushes in the mou th. Some inks may contain benezine dyes or Wash hands carefully after painting. black carbon contaminated with aromatic Use non-toxic paints. hydrocarbons, which are carcinogens. Use The danger associated with oil painting is non-toxic inks and avoid contact with skin. mainly that of the turpentine and other toxic solvents used with the oils. This problem can PAINTING be eliminated by not using oil paints. Acrylic, provide watercolour and tempera paints c.. There are two main hazards associated with the creative learning experiences that are painting, the toxic pigments in the paint and the aimed for in both elementary and secondary solvents used with oil paints. The pigments which school art programs. are toxic inorganic and require extreme caution Aerosol spray paints, finishes and fixatives when handling include: are extremely hazardous because they contain organic solvents, fine particles of (Antimony) Cobalt Violet Naples Yellow resins, paints or lacquer, and the mist is easily (Arsenic) inhaled. In addition, the propellant may be an All cadmium pigments (Cadmium) atmoJpheric pollutant. Avoid the use of spray paints. 9