These Safe Work Practices are provided for your information and education. They are intended to provide you with basic safety and health information that will assist you in avoiding injury while performing your daily activities.

These Safe Work Practices are part of Section Two, Training and Education, of the Injury & Illness Prevention Program of Cabrillo Community College District, and are required by Section 3203 of Title 8, the mandatory safety legislation of Cal/OSHA. You are obliged to follow these Safe Work Practices while performing your work activities.

You are encouraged to contribute ideas to expand or improve these Safe Work Practices.

CERAMICS/SCULPTURE/PAINTING/JEWELRY/THEATER ARTS

To be effective, the hood exhaust system must be operating at peak efficiency. Filters should be changed regularly so that residue does not build up and restrict the effectiveness of the exhaust system.

1. Proper eye protection should be worn at all times when either using or observing others who are using equipment that produces flying particles as a result of grinding, drilling, cutting, or turning metal or wood stock in process. In addition, all grinding and buffing equipment should be equipped with properly adjusted tool rests and shields.

2. All compressed gas cylinders, whether in storage or being used, should be contained in a cart or secured to the building structure by two sturdy, metal chains that are tightly installed about one-third and two-thirds of the way up the cylinder so that the cylinder cannot tip.

3. Properly approved eye protection should be worn at all times when performing welding or brazing activities.

4. Hoses, gauges, or other equipment should be inspected regularly. Repairs should be made to faulty equipment immediately or it should be removed from service.

5. Arc welders should be inspected periodically, and all necessary repairs should be completed.

6. Portable oxygen/acetylene welding units should be equipped with a fire extinguisher.

7. Housekeeping is an important issue in maintaining a safe work environment. The general area should be maintained in a neat, orderly condition. The floors should be cleaned regularly to reduce the amount of airborne particles.

8. Because of possible contamination of food products, eating and drinking is not allowed in the art studio. Food or beverage containers should never be used to store materials in the studio.

9. All employees should know the location of fire extinguisher and have some familiarity with their use. If necessary, specific training should be given.

10. If the fire blankets are provided, employees should have some training in rapid response in how to use fire blankets.

11. All chemicals should be labeled properly and clearly. The date the material was acquired should also be identified on the label so that inventory procedures can be followed in the future. Potentially harmful chemicals should be labeled, stored, and handled with special precautions.

12. All chemical storage areas should have containment in the form of doors that close, and special retaining devices or sturdy lip extensions installed in front portion of the shelves.

13. When spills involve classified materials, you should activate emergency procedures that involve hazardous spills. If you are unfamiliar with such procedures, contact your Campus Safety Officer.

14. Incompatible chemicals should not be stored in the same vicinity or in the same cabinet.

15. All flammable materials should be stored in special cabinets. These are of steel construction with special ventilation and are usually labeled by Factory Mutual or Underwriters Laboratories.

16. Corrosive material should be stored in special corrosive cabinets. This is for the protection of both employees and the college facilities.

17. Gloves and goggles should always be worn while diluting strong acids, working with volatile materials, utilizing flammable liquids, or when fume hoods are being used.

18. All employees should know the location of the Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), which are on hand for all chemicals in the laboratory. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the MSDSs so as to understand the hazard of the material and know emergency procedures and first aid response. New MSDSs or revised MSDSs should be reviewed as soon as received. See the District Hazard Communication Program.

19. Soiled rags that contain hydrocarbon solvents or other flammable materials should be stored and/or contained in special air tight, covered metal containers.

THEATER ARTS - additional

• Activities in the theater area often involve lifting or moving heavy materials. These are specific methods and procedures, which should be followed whenever lifting is required. A basic summary involves bending your knees and keeping your back straight. It is your responsibility to periodically review and follow those guidelines.

• A number of safeguards must be in place when using the radial arm saw.
  • The saw should not pull or extend past the worktable being used.
  • There should be an automatic retracting spring or cable to return the radial arm to the rear position after it has been used.
  • The blade of the saw should be covered except at the actual work surface.

• Dust collection devices on equipment such as saws and grinders should not be removed except for servicing. Equipment should not be used if the dust collection devices appear to be malfunctioning. Remove the piece of equipment from use if this occurs.

• Care should be taken to ensure that fire lanes and exit doors remain clear at all times.

• Use of open flame or firearms on state requires prior approval of theater management.