Health & Safety
Good Housekeeping for Your Health and Safety
We have investigated the products on the market which help you to follow these good housekeeping methods and sell some of them in our retail store as a courtesy to our customers. Please contact us if you have any further questions. Use good common sense, read all labels carefully, and follow instructions. Enjoy your craft and stay healthy.
We supply a wide range of raw materials and products to meet your needs, but we also pass along our concern for their proper use. The earth materials (oxides and compounds) found in ceramics can prove hazardous to your health if not handled with care. Carefully review the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the products you will use, particularly glazing compounds, which often contain some highly toxic compounds. Identify the hazardous components in each product. Some of these materials are toxic or irritating, and you should use proper procedures when handling.
To prevent the inhalation of dusts, regularly wet mop, hose down, or vacuum (with a HEPA vacuum) your workplace. Do not sweep an area or allow wet clay to dry for this can lead to airborne dust.
Wear goggles to protect against flying particles while grinding, and approved shaded goggles to protect against rays while looking into the kiln.
Because your hands become contaminated while working, do not eat, drink, or smoke in the studio while working. Always wash your hands thoroughly after working in your studio to lessen exposure to the chemicals and materials you are working with. If you have cuts or open wounds on hands wear gloves to prevent infection while working. It is even recommended to wear gloves while mixing your own glazes to prevent exposure while working.
When choosing a glaze for functional ware that comes into contact with food or drink select a glaze that is food-safe. Proper testing of this glaze is necessary as even commercial glazes labeled “food-safe” cannot assure a safe product as variations in application and firing can alter leaching characteristics. To test a glaze's acid resistance, squeeze a lemon or orange wedge onto a horizontal, glazed surface. Changes in the glaze color indicate that acids from foods can leach materials from the glaze, and that it is not food safe. If you are making commercial ceramics it is recommended to get your glazes tested by a laboratory to ensure the safety of your product.
These protective products are not intended to replace good housekeeping and proper ventilation. They are to be used only as a supplement to help you carefully handle materials. These products must be used properly, they must fit perfectly and be kept clean themselves. The user must determine the usability of the product for his/her intended use and assume all risks and liabilities connected therein. All of the equipment we sell has been carefully selected for its quality, usefulness, and price. Proper care and use are essential for safety and maximum productivity. Please read all instructions carefully. Do not leave unattended while in use, and in general: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
