Safety in Art Workspaces

Regardless of the kind of work you do, or materials you use, common safety concerns to address in all art workspaces include:

• Electrical Supply: Must adequately meet work requirements. Overloading electrical circuits is a hazard that can lead to fire or electrocution. All lights and other powered equipment should be properly grounded.
  
  Install ground fault circuit interrupters (for AC) when using powered equipment within six feet of potential water spillage areas. All electrical work and wiring should be completed by a licensed electrician. In addition, wiring must meet the requirements of the local building code and National Electrical Code in order to avoid electrical hazards.
  
  
• Running Water: Sufficient water supply must be available for routine clean-up after work, for decontaminating the skin or eyes after accidental contact with hazardous materials, and for use in emergency spills.
  
  
• Ventilation: Adequate and consistent amounts of fresh air are necessary for any workspace, especially for those art practices that produce fumes, dusts or other toxic materials that could be inhaled. Such practices include printmaking, painting, metalworking, foundry, photography, jewelry making, welding, and woodworking. Work areas, such as basements and attics, with limited access to fresh air might pose greater hazards.  Ventilation is discussed in more detail later in this section.
  
  
• Pollution: If your work produces toxic gases, fumes, dusts or other materials that can be transported to other parts of the building, you need to ensure that these pollutants are removed from the air and vented safely above the roof of the building. These materials should not be released near anyone's windows, doors or air intakes.
  
  
• Lighting: Adequate lighting is necessary in the workspace to prevent vision problems and to ensure that hazards and emergency conditions are easily visible.
  
  
• Heating: Good exhaust ventilation of a studio's contaminated air can require additional heating capacity. While it may be tempting to use portable space heaters for these purposes, these heaters can be fire hazards, especially if you work with flammable materials such as solvents or wood dust.
  
  In addition, some portable space heaters can produce carbon monoxide or other hazardous byproducts, if not properly maintained. Your existing heating system may have the capacity to heat the additional air needed. If not, heating professionals may be needed to calculate your additional heating needs and advise you about options for adding heating capacity.
  
  
• Walkways and Emergency Exits: There should be at least two exits from the space. These may include doorways and windows. In an emergency, the walkways to these exits may be obscured by smoke or darkness. For this reason, walkways should not be used for storage, and should remain accessible, non-slippery and clear of power cords, equipment and other temporary items. All occupants and users of the space should be familiar with the location of these walkways and emergency exits.
  
  
• Emergency Drills: Although frequently disregarded, regular emergency exit drills are essential. Familiar tasks can quickly become difficult in an emergency situation. When developing a plan, eliminate or adapt tasks that require you to use keys or clear space before you are able to exit. All tenants, including household members in live/work spaces, should regularly participate in these exit drills.
  
  
• For additional information on creating a safe art space, download the attachment to view the chart, Potential Air Quality, Noise and Fire Hazards Associated with Artistic Mediums.