Skip to main content

Photography Studios

Safety policies for Photography studios

Departmental policy

  1.  It is the policy of this department to enforce all safety regulations with the
      Photo lab. Student who fail to follow these regulations will be denied access
      to the lab for any “open lab” for the remainder of the semester.
    2.  Review and follow the policies and procedures outlined in this manual.
    3.  After reviewing this manual, discuss all questions and concerns with your
      instructor.
    4.  After discussion of any and all questions and concerns, please sign the
      attached consent for and submit it to your instructor. Keep your signed copy
      with you.

General laboratory rules
General operating procedures

  1.  You must show your copy of the “pass” or Safety Manual Consent Form to the lab monitor upon arrival in the lab.
  2. Report any missing or malfunctioning equipment or supplies immediately.
  3. No smoking, eating or drinking
  4. You must follow the directions of the lab monitor to the letter. Failure to do so will deprive you of lab privileges for the remainder of the semester.
  5. No chemicals should be mixed by anyone but the lab monitor. If you need new chemistry, you must ask the monitor to mix it for you. Lab monitors will be provided with written directions and instructions.
  6. Your work area must be spotless when you leave. If you see a potential mess, or danger (i.e. wet spot on the floor), it is your responsibility to clean not only your area, but that area as well.

You must never work in the lab alone. You must find another student with a lab pass in order to work in the lab. Failure to follow this rule will result in immediate suspension of lab work. This includes lab monitors.

  1. Report all incidents and accidents to the Monitor no matter how trivial or insignificant. This includes shocks, spills, and all other forms of injury.

Photomechanical processes

  1. Mixing Developers
    1. Stock solutions have been pre-mixed by the instructor or lab monitor. You need to mix a working solution as follows.
      1. Procedure: Measure the appropriate amount of water first, then add stock solution to it.
  2. Processing Ortho Film
    1. Do not use your hands to manipulate film in photochemicals, use bamboo tongs only.
  3. Mixing Cyanotype Solutions A&B (Stock)
    1. Stock solutions have been pre-mixed by the instructor.
      1. Procedure (Working Solutions): Mix only what you will be using and use gloves to prevent skin contact.

Personal safety policies and procedures

Personal protective equipment must be worn by trained assistants, technicians, or faculty when mixing photographic chemistry.

Emergency eye care procedure

  1.  Wash eyes immediately with a continuous stream of lukewarm water. If an eyewash station is available use it, otherwise any steady stream of water will DO.
  2. Cover the eye(s) with cloth or bandage material to reduce eye movement.
  3. Go to the Health Office immediately or have someone call them for you.

Procedure in case of fire

  1. Sound the alarm to get help and to initiate evacuation.*
    * This is essential because a small fire can rapidly become a conflagration. If you try to fight a fire first, you will only delay control and may cost lives.*
  2. Contain or fight the fire only if it is possible or practical to do so.
  3. Evacuate yourself and all others from the area and/or building.

Emergency telephone numbers

  • Emergency (rings Police & Health office)
    x9191
  • Campus Police
    x8107/8108
  • University Safety Officer
    x8242
  • General campus information
    x0/999-8000
  • Health Office
    x8982/8983

Note: Telephones are located (M-F) at the end of "U 3" at Design secretary's desk. If they are not available for use, the pay phone at "L1" by lavatories can be used.

CVPA safety manual consent form - Photography (PDF)