Whether you’re thinking of setting up a studio at home or just have a love for creating pottery, there are some key considerations to make when working with all thing’s ceramics. Some of the significant components to be cautious of in a studio environment include dry clay particles, glaze products and the operation of a kiln, as well as the physical activity of creating ceramics. It is key that we take steps to keep ourselves and others safe in a studio environment.

The first rule of thumb that I convey to my students and visitors to the studio, is that it is important to be wearing suitable clothing and closed-toe shoes. I never wear the same clothes after a day in the studio and change once I have finished working in case of dust particles. Those clothes go straight into the wash which is always a separate wash to regular clothes – especially having a young child – I wouldn’t want to have her clothes being washed with my studio clothes. Wearing good and comfortable shoes is super important. Dropping tools, hot ceramic pieces from the kiln or kiln furniture onto your feet could cause serious damage. I wear Merry People waterproof boots. They are cute, easy to clean and very comfortable!

The next most important thing is that we don’t breathe in particles from clay and glazes. When we are exposed to these particles it can cause damage to our lungs and cause a condition called silicosis. Silicosis is a disease that occurs when airborne crystalline silica particles enter the lungs, over time have a detrimental effect. These silica particles can be found in glaze products and dry clay. This can cause damage and scarring to lung tissue and make it difficult to breathe as well as increase your risk of lung infections. Silicosis develops slowly from prolonged exposure to silica particles; however, it is incredibly important to be cautious as silicosis is not curable.

Therefore, the main things we can do to reduce the risk of breathing in these particles is:

• when mixing glazes or dealing with dry products it is important to wear an appropriate mask to protect our lungs.
• ensure that when we are cleaning up, we use a wet sponge to clean benches and areas, helping to reduce dust
• always clean your tools
• avoid vacuuming and sweeping the studio space & instead wet mop the area
• wash hands often
• have effective air flow in your working space
• store clay appropriately and ensure it doesn’t try out. Store glaze products in airtight containers and ensure that particles don’t spread through the air. Ensure all your glaze materials are labelled well.
• vent the studio – open windows and doors to let in some fresh air.
• never have your pottery studio in the same room as carpet!  A floor surface that is easy to mop is great.

Another important consideration when working in a ceramic’s studio is the kiln and its ability to reach high temperatures. If you are working in the same space as your kiln, it is highly recommended to have the kiln vented to remove the fumes from the space. Fumes released can contain sulphur oxides, hydrogen fluoride and metal vapours (depending on the products fired). I have my two kilns in a shed next to my studio. The shed is vented with a whirlybird, and I keep the door of the shed partially open (around 10cm).

The average kiln when firing stoneware will reach 1280 degrees Celsius. Therefore, it is key to be aware of when a kiln is in use and hot. It is also important that if you’re operating a kiln to understand the distance it needs to be away from other items and surfaces, and when it is safe to unload the kiln once items have been fired.

To ensure safety in a pottery studio it is also important to recognise that ceramics is physically demanding. Clay is a natural product and often quite heavy, most often coming in 12kg bags. Throwing on a pottery wheel is also quite challenging as the clay is working with your strength in order to become centred and moved into your desired shape. This is why it’s important to build your way up to throwing large pieces and ensure that you have a comfortable stool and position for your wheel, take breaks and stretch out in order to look after your body.

Some key take-home points:

• ensure appropriate studio attire & closed toe shoes
• wet wipe all surfaces and that you wet mop the floors
• don’t eat in the studio
• wear a mask when dealing with glazes and dry products
• store clay and equipment appropriately
• wash hands often
• be aware of the kiln temperature
• wash your clothes and apron after every pottery session
• look after your body, be careful when lifting & ensure you give yourself breaks when doing tasks repetitively
• a safe studio is a fun studio!

In conclusion, having a clean studio means you are taking care of your health and of anyone who visits your studio. It is important to have fun with ceramics, but to also act safely! I hope this article helps you understand some of the practices I have put in place in my studio to ensure safety for myself, my family, my students and guests to the studio.

References

The Journal of Australian Ceramics Vol 59, No. 2, July 2020