-Health & Safety In the Metals Studio-
If you have information to contribute please do so- I
want this page to be a resource for all.
I have had an interest in Health and Safety since I was a Metalsmithing
student at Maine College of Art. When I was there the school had very
poor ventilation and there was an underlying assumption that Art was by
nature dangerous and unhealthy work. I am happy to report that due to
student activism the school now has a new building that has won
national awards for addressing ventilation and other issues of
relevance.
As Metalsmiths, Jewelers, Blacksmiths, Bladesmiths and Knifemakers we
all have overlapping and specific concerns.
I will attempt to compile information and welcome input, suggestions
and corrections. Many of our health & safety issues have never been
directly addressed by occupational medicine, industry or the
Government. It is up to us.
-J. Loose
-Health-
-Harmful Effects on the Body-
There are two primary types of dangers we pose to our health as
artists- acute dangers and cumulative. The difference is important:
acute dangers cause relatively immediate responses and cumulative
dangers can take years before the effects are noticed. Acute responses
generally take larger doses and are generally recoverable. Cumulative
dangers tend to take smaller doses over longer periods of time. They
are often permanently disabling.
The Skin
Many materials can affect and enter the body through the skin, causing
direct irritations as well as allergic reactions. Primary irritants
include "...acids, alkalis, organic solvents (benzol, toluol, and other
aromatic solvents, chlorinated hydrocarbons, turpentine, petroleum
solvents, ketones) and such others as chromium compounds, arsenic
compounds and fiber glass." (McCain, p. 12) Other materials are
'sensitizers,' meaning that repeated exposure will make it more likely
that your body will have an allergic reaction. Many exotic woods fall
into this category. Epoxy is another frequently encountered material
that falls into this category. Arc-welding also poses radiation
hazards in the form of Ultraviolet light. The skin is also a primary
route by which chemicals enter the body through the bloodstream.
* Avoid using unnecessary chemicals. Soap will often substitute for
solvents. Denatured alcohol is a bit safer than acetone.
* Wear
rubber gloves when using any chemical product.
* Cover the skin
when arc-welding
Lungs
The lungs are the secondary route by which we absorb pollutants. The
Metalsmithing studio has various chemicals, vapors, mists, fumes and
particulates to contend with. Many of these pollutants have
interactive effects and the medical industry has done very few studies
on the combined effects of many common chemicals. Chemicals and
particulate matter can cause pulmonary edema, when irritants
cause swelling and the release of fluid in the lungs. Both acute and
cumulative damage to the lungs can cause pulmonary fibrosis, or
scarring in the lungs... premanently reducing their functionality.
Sources of pollutants include grinding / sanding dusts, soldering /
flux fumes, welding fumes and forge fumes. Smoking Cigarettes
drastically increases the rate at which lungs absorb most toxins. It
is particularly important to be aware of the cumulative effects of
pollutants on the lungs as they become an important route by which
these pollutants enter the bloodstream.
* Don't smoke; especially in the Studio.
* Directly ventilate
dusts and fumes. (See below)
* Dilution ventilate / filter the
air in your shop.(See below)
* Wear a cartridge respirator with a
rubber face-seal & appropriate filters when engaged in grinding /
sanding.
* Work outside if possible. I do all my angle-grinding
outside, even in 5 deg. F Vermont weather.
Bloodstream & the Heart
The heart itself is subject to damage caused by seemingly unrelated
effects. Lung damage in particular puts "...an enormous strain on the
heart, as it then has to pump more blood to try to get enough oxygen
for the body." (McCain, p. 14) Heart failure is "... a major cause of
death for people with chronic bronchitis, emphysema and pulmonary
fibrosis". (McCain, p. 14) Carbon monoxide, which many of us are
exposed to from the gas forge affects the blood so that it can no
longer carry oxygen, creating stress on the heart and also possible
oxygen starvation.
* Ventilation is key. Ventilate your shop or work oustide, especially
around gas forges.
* Regular exercise will help keep your heart
healthy.
Eyes
The eyes are of particular concern in the Metals shop. Hazards include
radiation, dust, grindings, filings, fumes and vapors. Aside from
safety concerns, by which I mean direct injuries, there are
several areas to be concerned about. Ultraviolet and Infrared
Radiation from forges, torches, kilns and hot metals are a serious
matter. There is controversy surrounding which kinds of processes give
off which kinds of radiation; followed by the question of which
materials best protect against which kinds of radiation. I am
particularly interested in resolving these questions. See 'Protective
Equipment,' below. Unprotected exposure can lead to night-vision
problems, 'snow blindness,' cataracts and permanent blindness. The
effects can be both acute and cumulative.
* Wear safety glasses or face shields when operating any grinding /
sanding equipment or using acids / solvents.
* Wear -something-
that offers UV / IR protection when forging, doing kilnwork, welding,
foundrywork or soldering.
* Keep distilled water on hand or have
an eye-shower ready in case of acid / solvent splashes to the face.
Ears
The craft of the Metalsmith often involves the invocation of loud
noises. The ears do have a natural defense for dampening loud noises
and reducing damage to the inner mechanisms of hearing. This defense
takes some time to acclimate and thus, sudden, loud noises do far more
damage than constant loud noises. The Anvils' Ring falls into the
'...sudden and loud,' category. Repeated exposure to this kind of
noise without protection can result in permanent hearing loss.
* Wear hearing protection rated to the decibels in your shop.
*
'Ear Muff,' style protection loses 30% effectiveness if you wear them
over glasses due to loss of full contact! (Weiss, p.2)
-Safety-
This section will address safe practices around tools, equipment and
processes.
In progress.
-Bibliography-
McCain, Michael. Health Hazards Manual for Artists. New York:
Mick Lyons Books, 1985.
Highly recommended for all artists.
Weiss, Linda. Goldsmithing Health Hazards. Thesis Addition:
Cranbrook Academy of Art 1978.