developing environmental safety in the arts – princeton’s approach
DESCRIPTION
Developing Environmental Safety in the Arts – Princeton’s Approach. Robin Izzo Assistant Director Environmental Health and Safety Princeton University www.princeton.edu/ehs [email protected] 609-258-6259. Epiphany. UVM Screen Printing Room Solvent-based inks No ventilation - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Developing Environmental Developing Environmental Safety in the Arts – Princeton’s Safety in the Arts – Princeton’s ApproachApproach
Robin IzzoAssistant Director
Environmental Health and Safety
Princeton University
www.princeton.edu/ehs
609-258-6259
EpiphanyEpiphany
UVM Screen Printing Room Solvent-based inks No ventilation 100+ year old building
Vermont Artists Consortium Did VanGogh Die for Art?
Visual Arts at Princeton Visual Arts at Princeton
Undergraduate Visual Arts Theater Dance Students have 24 hour access Majors have shared or personal studios 1000 enrolled students in art courses
~500 Visual Arts majors
Visual Arts at PrincetonVisual Arts at Princeton
~55 Visual Arts Faculty 22 “permanent”
Mostly dance, theater, writing, computer graphics Remainder are “adjunct” faculty
Turnover every 1-3 years Most commute from New York City
Faculty required to be on campus 2 days per week
Usually not in until after 1 PM
Visual Arts at PrincetonVisual Arts at Princeton
Painting and Drawing Sculpture Lithography Photography Printmaking Ceramics Video Theater and Dance
Why an Art Safety Program?Why an Art Safety Program?
Health and safety issues Environmental concerns Fire safety issues Hazard Communication Right to Know Many artists are not familiar with most of
these issues
Art HazardsArt Hazards
Painting Sculpture Photography Ceramics Lithography Theater
Environmental IssuesEnvironmental Issues
RCRA Hazardous Waste
Clean Air Act Spray booths Sculpture shop
Clean Water Act Ceramics Drain disposal
Princeton’s ProgramPrinceton’s Program
Previously treated generically general Hazard Communication Program general Hazard Communication Training Right to Know Inventories Respirator Program Waste Disposal
Relatively good shape
Princeton’s ProgramPrinceton’s Program
EHS Overall Trend move from broad based programs to specialized
programs common problem - expectations not
communicated identify goals and objectives, work with
department to determine how to make it work based on their needs
Princeton’s ProgramPrinceton’s Program Specialized Training Program
all incoming faculty all students review specific issues quiz
Inspections Semi-annual EHS inspections Monthly departmental inspections
Princeton’s ProgramPrinceton’s Program
Theater Safety Program Staff and student in the Theater Program Student Theater Groups
Theater In-Time Triangle Club
Training Program On-line Student Theater Safety Guide
www.princeton.edu/sites/ehs/theatersafety
Princeton’s ProgramPrinceton’s Program
Student Theater Safety Training Event Planning
Fire code permits, security needs, etc. Emergency Procedures Set Design and Construction
Rigging, power tools, chemical safety, etc. Lighting and Sound Special effects Performance Strike
Princeton’s ProgramPrinceton’s Program
Environmental Stewardship University policy
Long-standing policy on regulatory fines EPA, OSHA, State, etc. Fines from violations are the responsibility of
the department where the violation was noted Department can pass along fines to labs,
groups, etc.
Princeton Art Safety TrainingPrinceton Art Safety Training
Hazard Communication Program Understanding Chemical Safety Info Spill Cleanup Waste Disposal Medium-Specific Concerns
PaintingPainting Pigments
“hues”
Thinners Linseed Oil
autoignition
Adhesives sensitizers
Oil-based paints Turpentine
sensitizer - odorless thinner is better alternative
Paint PigmentsPaint Pigments
Antimony True Naples Yellow Resp and GI Irritation
Arsenic Cobalt violetEmerald Green
Skin/eye/GI irritationCNS disorders, Cancer
Cadmium All cadmium pigments Lung, kidney, CNS diseaseHigh BP, anemia
Chromium Chromium green, strontiumyellow, viridian, chromeyellow, zinc yellow
Skin, respiratory irritationAllergiesLung cancer
Lead Flake white, mixed white,Naples or chrome yellow
CNS disorder, GI problems
Manganese Burnt amber, Mn blue, Mnviolet, Mars brown
Respiratory irritationCNS problems
Mercury Vermillion CNS disease
Precautions for PaintersPrecautions for Painters
Know the what is in your pigments. Use the least toxic.
Avoid mixing dry pigments. Avoid hand to mouth contact. Don’t use your mouth to point your brush. Avoid using turpentine - use thinner Use least dusty forms of chalk, pastels, etc.
PhotographyPhotography
Developer alkaline
Stop Bath acetic acid
Fixers Disposal problems
Reducer Mix with concentrated
acid or high heat, can release cyanide gas
Many photochemicals are sensitizers
Precautions for PhotographersPrecautions for Photographers
Use liquid chemistry Avoid skin exposure Cover baths when not
in use. Use pre-mixed chemicals Rinse with water between acid bleach step
and fixing steps. (sulfur dioxide gas) Use good ventilation.
CeramicsCeramics
Silica - silicosis sand, perlite, grog,
vermiculite
Mold - wet clay Musculo-skeletal problems Glazes - metals Skin irritation
clay, glazes
Kiln - fumes, CO, IR
Precautions for CeramicsPrecautions for Ceramics
Use pre-mixed clay. Use good ventilation. Clean daily. Moisturize hands. Avoid lead glazes Use gloves when handling glazes Use good ventilation and CO for kiln Wear IR goggles when looking into kiln Electrical safety and good material handling
SculptureSculpture
Wood shop - same hazards and concerns as maintenance, etc.
Plasters, silica, etc. Spray Paint Clay Paints Mold-making
Resins
Precautions for SculptorsPrecautions for Sculptors
Use eye and face protection Choose the least hazardous woods and stones Do not use plaster for casting body parts Use good lifting techniques Protect hands against vibration of hand tools Use machining tools under supervision
Precautions for SculptorsPrecautions for Sculptors
Take breaks to avoid carpal tunnel syndrome
Avoid chlorinated waxes Protect against electrical hazards Wear gloves when applying epoxy glues
and hardeners, formaldehyde glues or solvent-based adhesives
Lithography/PrintmakingLithography/Printmaking
Linseed Oil Solvents Sharp Tools Hot Plates Inks Nitric acid
contamination with solvents
disposal
Environmental ConcernsEnvironmental Concerns
Waste disposal solvents, oils oily rags photochemicals acids and bases sharps empty chemical containers glazes
Environmental ConcernsEnvironmental Concerns
Drain disposal fixers thinners
Air emissions paint spray booths exhaust from woodworking equipment
EPA Initiative focus on art department dumpster diving
Pollution PreventionPollution Prevention
Use “hues” High flashpoint solvents (Turpenoid) Baby Oil for brush cleaning Digital photography Silver recovery Recycle everything possible
Institutional Recycling Network
Getting StartedGetting Started
Partnership between department and EHS to determine expectations and requirements
Ordered and installed needed materials Mandatory meeting with faculty White tornado of corrective actions Meet with students and faculty to explain
new procedures and provide specialized training
Getting StartedGetting Started
Videotaped meeting and training for those who could not attend.
Began frequent inspections. Notified faculty and students about infractions.
Included building janitor in training, particular attention on waste disposal.
Recruited casual employee to conduct inspections of studios twice weekly.
InitiativesInitiatives
Standardized containers Pre-printed labels MSDS proliferation Signage Spill Kits Purchasing Restrictions Waste Disposal
Improvements Inspections
Standardized ContainersStandardized Containers
Previously - any available glass container - often food or drink containers
Difficult to identify what was a chemical container vs. a true food container
Pre-labeled mason jars required. Lids available - required when material not in use.
Pre-Printed Waste LabelsPre-Printed Waste Labels
Color-coded printed labels provided by EHS for regular waste streams
Waste poster with label supply Sample labels affixed to cabinets.
MSDSsMSDSs
Always good about keeping MSDSs on hand, but accessibility was an issue.
MSDS notebook for every classroom.
Clearly labeled. Chained to cabinets.
SignageSignage
Instructions posted in every room drain disposal
restrictions MSDS locations Closing checklist Spill kit locations
No excuse for not following procedures
Lamination
SignageSignage
Spill KitsSpill Kits
Increased number of spill kits to ensure all areas covered.
Provided training on how and when to use them.
Purchasing RestrictionsPurchasing Restrictions
Non-majors cannot bring in personal materials
Majors have a budget All materials purchased through technician
or approved by technician Ensures MSDS availability and hazard
assessment
Waste Disposal ImprovementsWaste Disposal Improvements
Clarified expectations Standardized waste
containers Standardized labeling Inspections
InspectionsInspections
EHS involved in first rounds
Monthly inspections by department staff
Weekly inspections of student areas by casual employee
Assistance by janitor Public violation notice
InspectionsInspections
Most Common “Violations” noted Incompletely labeled containers Flammable liquid storage cabinets not closed
tightly Lids or foil covers missing from individual
containers of thinners Rags left on the floor Funnels left in waste containers Labels on containers in cabinet not facing out
How Can You Do This?How Can You Do This?
Learn about the issues Find out what your art department does. Familiarize yourself about the issues using
reference materials. Determine which issues apply to your
institution.
How Can You Do This?How Can You Do This?
Find the right people find your champion may not be the department chair or manager educate the people with authority about the
issues and the potential consequences people money
Work with them to find workable solutions
TrainingTraining
Establish a specialized training program. Find a way to include everyone in the
training. Not just classroom training
faculty pass it onto the students inspections/problem discussion also help
educate people
Inspect and Follow UpInspect and Follow Up
Inspections/follow-up absolutely crucial. Do not drop and dash. Follow it through. Frequent at first, then taper off as
improvements made. Feedback to faculty and students.
Accountability is crucial. Celebrate successes.
ResourcesResources
Web Sites Center for Safety in the Arts
http://artsnet.heinz.cmu.edu:70/0/csa ACTS: Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety
http://www.caseweb.com/acts/ Princeton Univ Art Safety Training Guide
http://www.princeton.edu/sites/ehs/artsafety Princeton Univ Theater Operations Manual
http://www.princeton.edu/sites/ehs/theatersafety
BooksBooks Artist Beware - Michael McCann, PhD, CIH The Artist’s Complete Health and Safety Guide, Monona
Rossol, MS, MFA Overexposure: Photography Hazards -Susan Shaw and
Monona Rossol Making Art Safely - M. Spandorfer, D. Curtiss, J. Snyder,
MD Stage Fright: Health & Safety in Theater - Monona Rossol,
MS, MFA Health Hazards Manual for Artists - Michael McCann, PhD,
CIH
Questions???Questions???
A View of Princeton…