Introduction
The visual arts can pose significant risks to the health and safety of artists. This guide provides an overview of some of the most common risks associated with painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, digital art, and sculpture.
Responsibility for Safety in the Arts
Faculty
Faculty are responsible for ensuring that students attend training and work safely and:
- Ensure artists understand the potential health and physical hazards of the chemicals and equipment used;
- Explain proper and safe procedures for handling, under all circumstances, the hazardous substances used;
- Provide appropriate equipment to allow laboratory workers to work safely
Artists
Each student, faculty and staff member is expected to attend training and:
- Follow procedures and practices outlined in this training guide;
- Report all accidents, near misses, and potential chemical exposures to the Arts Health & Safety Advisor or the manager of the art studio
- Common Safety Concerns
- Ergonomics for the Arts
- Painting and Drawing
- Sculpture
- Printmaking
- Digital Arts
- Photography
- Waste Disposal: Visual Arts
Resources:
United Educators - Safety Guide for Art Studios
Consumer Product Safety Commission - Art and Craft Safety Guide
Creating Art Safely: A Six-Step Process video
Household Products Safety Database
The Artist's Complete Health & Safety Guide
Non-Toxic Intaglio Printmaking