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Health & Safety Manual

Introduction

Health and safety are vital concerns. This health and safety manual has been compiled to illustrate general information on safe practices and procedures in the CVPA studios.

Artists and designers are often exposed to hazardous materials and processes in studios. Knowledge of proper studio procedures, coupled with an attitude of respect and mental alertness, will help ensure that CVPA studios are safe for all students, faculty, and staff.

All users are required to read and understand this manual before being allowed to work in any studio. Additionally, students must submit a signed consent form prior to using the studios. Students are responsible for being physically and mentally alert when using the studios and must abide by all health and safety procedures. All incidents and/or accidents must be reported so that steps can be taken to prevent recurrence.

Faculty, staff, and administrators are required to provide safe working conditions, educate students about potential hazards and proper procedures, as well as follow and enforce health and safety regulations and policies for safe practice.

CVPA studios are a collective space, shared by all students. Therefore, each student must demonstrate respect and care for one’s own space but also the collective, with due consideration for individual privacy, tidiness, noise, storage of materials, etc.

Students/Faculty responsibilities

  • It is the policy of the college to enforce all safety regulations within the studio and classroom setting.
  • Students who fail to follow these regulations shall be penalized according to the safety violation procedures established by the university. (see Student Conduct Policies and Procedures (STU-024))
  • All personnel and students connected to the college must review, discuss, and follow the policies and procedures outlined in this manual.
  • Faculty must brief all students on health and safety standards and practices in each studio at the beginning of the semester.
  • Faculty outlines and enforces health and safety and housekeeping standards, as well as equipment usage, material/gear storages for their areas.
  • Personal protective equipment will be explained and demonstrated at the beginning of the semester as needed.
  • After discussing any questions or concerns, students are required to sign the consent form (available in the Program Studio Policy) and submit it to the instructor. The instructor will keep the signed form on file for the duration of the course. By signing the form, the student acknowledges the responsibility to help maintain a safe studio environment for the student and for others.

General Studio Safety

  1. DO NOT eat or drink in the studio. Eating is allowed only in designated areas.
  2. Smoking, drugs, and alcohol are strictly prohibited in CVPA facilities. NEVER work in the studio under the influence. (see Alcohol Policy (STU-003), Drug Policy (STU-004A), University Smoking Policy (STU-C15-001))
  3. Exercise the ‘buddy system’ – do not work in the studio alone. No student should operate machinery or power tools at any time unless one other trained person is present in the studio.
  4. Studio work attire:
    1. Shoes must be worn at all times in the studio. Open toed shoes are NOT permitted, this includes sandals, Crocs, slippers, etc.
    2. Do not wear loose clothing that can get caught in a machine or dipped in chemicals.
    3. Long hair must be tied back to avoid getting caught in machines/tools/chemicals. The same precautions must also be applied to beards, clothes, watches, and jewelry.
    4. Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This includes, but is not limited to, eye protection, face shields, ear protection, respirators, gloves, etc.
    5. Store or discard PPE carefully to avoid contamination if it is used to handle hazardous materials.
  5. Know your materials. Read the labels and understand the hazards. Consult Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and/or online databases, such as The Art and Creative Materials Institute, Inc. (ACMI) and Conservation & Art Materials Encyclopedia Online (CAMEO).
  6. Always substitute less hazardous materials/chemicals whenever possible.
  7. Introduction of new materials must be approved by faculty in accordance with the hazardous materials policy.
  8. DO NOT obstruct aisles and exit routes in any way (no equipment, chairs, personal materials or trash permitted in exit area). Exit doors shall not be locked, bolted, propped open, or obstructed in any way to prevent egress. Emergency Fire Exit doors are "exit only" in compliance with Fire Department regulations. Loading docks are not to be used as storage. Access to electrical panels shall not be obstructed.
  9. Mark the locations of first aid kits, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations, and emergency exits.
  10. Report any missing or malfunctioning equipment immediately. NEVER attempt to repair or alter equipment without prior permission.

Hazardous Materials

Consider all materials used in art making to be hazardous to various degrees. Labelling on art materials is often inadequate. The absence of a warning label does not mean a material is safe and harmless. Know and understand the materials you are working with.

Storage, Handling, and Disposal

  • All hazardous materials must be stored in appropriate containers and must be clearly labelled with its content listed.
  • All hazardous materials must be appropriately segregated and stored. For example, flammables and combustibles should be stored in an approved flammable storage cabinet, and acid should not be stored in the same cabinet.
  • Faculty must provide students with detailed instructions in safe handling, use, and disposal of all materials and chemicals.
  • Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling chemicals and/or materials.
  • Store/dispose used PPE with care to avoid contamination.
  • All hazardous materials must be disposed of in accordance with waste management policies.
  • Report chemical spills immediately to faculty and staff.
  • For further information, please refer to:

Fire prevention and Safety Procedures

  • Familiarize yourself with your environment, locate fire extinguishers, fire alarm pulldown stations, and emergency exits.
  • Be aware of ignition sources, such as open flames, heating elements, spark gaps (motors, light switches, friction, static, etc.).
  • Do not introduce flammable liquids in the presence of ignition sources, and vice versa.
  • Flammable liquids give off vapors which can burn and/or explode. Make sure flammables are properly labelled and stored. Do not leave flammables in direct sunlight. Report spills immediately.
  • Do not overload electrical circuits. Report ANY electrical malfunctions, no matter how seemingly insignificant, immediately to safety officer.
  • Good housekeeping is crucial to fire prevention. Proper standards must be enforced in each studio area. Please refer to Industrial Hygiene.
  • In case of fire, sound the alarm. Contain or fight the fire ONLY IF POSSIBLE and practical to do so. Evacuate yourself and others to safety.
  • Familiarize yourself with locations of first aid kits.
  • Any and all incidents including those involving only minor injuries requiring first aid or those resulting only in property and/or equipment damage must be reported to the area faculty using an accident/incident form.
  • Any and all illness or physical impairment which may be related to your practice (e.g., skin problem, headache, nausea, etc.) shall be reported to the area faculty immediately.

Visitor policy

All visitors must be accompanied by current student(s), faculty, or staff at all times. Visitors are not allowed in the studios without explicit permission from the area faculty for liability reasons. Visitors shall not use equipment, materials, or supplies. All visitors to Art & Design Studio (ADS) must sign-in and sign-out at the security desk.

Emergency Contact information

Main Campus

UMASS Dartmouth Campus Police:

  • 508-999-9191 (emergency)
  • 508-999-8107 (non-emergency)

Art & Design Studio

The first line of contact should be the security guard. He/she will contact the appropriate authorities.

Dartmouth Police Department:

  • 911 (emergency)
  • 508-910-1700 (non-emergency)

Shingo Furukawa, Professional Technician I: 508-910-6655 shingo.furukawa@umassd.edu
Jessica Fernandes Gomes, Assistant Dean: 509-999-8903 jessica.fernandes@umassd.edu
Environmental Health & Safety: 508-999-8811 ehs.info@umassd.edu

Useful Resources

GENERAL CVPA SAFETY MANUAL CONSENT FORM – Fill out form

Studio policies