Ceramics Safety 101

What are the 3 qualities of clay?

Porosity, Plasticity, Shrinkage

Fingernail Infection

can result from clay trapped under the nails, causing mold to form, especially in false nails.

silicosis

disease due to silica or glass dust in the lungs; occurs in mining occupations

What is quartz inversion?

gives the fired body its strength

Formula for making clay

alumina, silica, and water

5 stages of clay to make ceramics

1. Raw Clay 2. Leatherhard 3. Greenware 4. Bisque 5. Glazeware or Ceramic

Kiln Process - Hours to Cool

16 hours

Kiln Firing - temperature

1850-2000 degrees F

Kiln Process - Hours to fire

8 hours

Housekeeping Rules when Working with Clay

Be sure that the work area is well-ventilated. Work surfaces and shelves should be kept clean by wiping them down with a wet sponge that is rinsed frequently. Always mop floors; never sweep. Clean up spills as soon as they occur. Work on newspaper or paper towels for easy clean up. Clean glaze jar rims before closing to eliminate build up dried product. Brushes should be washed immediately after use. Always keep dust under control. To prevent dust, discard scrap clay in a plastic bag before it dries.

carpel tunnel syndrome

Can develop from improper wedging technique

Personal hygiene guidelines when working with clay

Ceramic products should not be ingested or inhaled. With non-toxic products, no harm will come from indigestion, inhalation, but such practice should be avoided. Eating, drinking, and smoking should NOT be combined with working on ceramics. Any cuts or open wounds should be protected from foreign materials. Always wash hands and arms thoroughly when through and before leaving the work area. Never use any utensils for ceramics that will later be used in the kitchen.

How is clay created?

Clay is created by the disintegration (breaking down) of granite, feldspathic, or pegmatite rocks

Personal Protective Equipment when Working with Clay

Kiln gloves should be worn when handling a hot kiln. NO ONE BUT A QUALIFIED ADULT SHOULD EVER TOUCH OR OPERATE A KILN. Never touch the outside of a kiln (other than the control panel) without gloves after it has been firing for a while as the entire outside surface will be extremely hot. Goggles Dust Masks Band-aids

Details about Dust Particles

The particles most likely to get into the lungs are those smaller than 10 microns in size, or just smaller than the tiniest particles that can be seen floating in a brightly lit room or in the beam of light from a slide projector.

Ways to control dust

Try to create as little dust as possible by keeping materials in moist state and by storing them in closed containers. Each day clean up any dust created. This is especially important in classrooms, where scheduled clean-up assignments may have to be given out and enforced for students.

Define plasticity

ability to be changed

Define porosity

the ability to absorb water

What is Dust?

the particles carried in suspension by wind, can enter the body through inhalation