Safety

Be careful!

Safety at the Eliot School is of paramount importance.

We make every attempt to maintain a safe environment. Please let us know if you see anything unsafe, and we will take immediate action to fix it.

Final responsibility rests with each individual using tools, materials, and machines. Please read the relevant information below before you come to class.

We reserve the right to ask any student to leave if proper safety procedures are not observed.

Safety for All Classes

• Abstain from participation in any program held by the Eliot School should the student demonstrate symptoms of communicable illness including: fever/chills, persistent cough, shortness of breath/wheezing (unrelated to chronic illness), nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, loss of taste/smell, congestion/runny nose (unrelated to chronic illness), or extreme fatigue/body aches. Symptoms should be resolved for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to the Eliot School.  

• Abstain from participation in any program held by the Eliot School for a minimum of 5 days following a positive COVID- 19 diagnosis. After 5 days, if the student tests negative and symptoms have been resolved for a minimum of 24 hours, they may return to programming.

• Notify the Eliot School should the student become aware that they were positive with a communicable disease during their participation in an Eliot School program.  Communicable diseases include but are not limited to: COVID-19, Conjunctivitis, Strep Throat, Ringworm, Headlice, and Hand Foot and Mouth.

• Never eat or drink while working. Sawdust, solvents, glues, pastel dust, pigments, and other artists' materials can all contaminate food. Keep food and drink covered, out of all work areas, and off of any machine.

• Always wash your hands after working.

• If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or have a pre-existing medical condition, check with your doctor, as some materials may contain hazardous ingredients.

• After working, clean up all staples, nails, tacks, blades, solvents, and solvent-soaked rags from surfaces and surrounding floor areas.

Wood Shop Safety

• Familiarize yourself with the First Aid Kit on the wall near the sink.

• Never use power tools when alone in the shop.

• If you are uncertain of how to use a tool, ask a teacher to spot you until you are completely confident in its use.

• Machines are for designated uses only. Do not use machines as work surfaces.

• Nothing should hang down near machines. Tie hair back and up. No neckties, scarves, or dangling jewelry.

• No open-toe shoes or foot gloves.

• Wear goggles when using any power tool, chisel, or saw. 

• Ear protection is recommended, especially for those with sensitive ears. However, make sure you can hear teachers’ instructions and sounds that may cue danger. 

• Guards on machines must be left in place.

• When sanding or working with powders or dust-producing materials, always use an OSHA-approved particle mask and make sure the air filter in the shop is turned on.

• When using solvents or volatile compounds, turn on ventilation fans.

• Keep food and drink covered and out of work areas. Never eat or drink while working.

• Keep drink containers off machine surfaces. Moisture can damage and even destroy surfaces and internal workings, especially the table saws.

• Clean up all staples, nails, and tacks after working.

• Our table saws all employ SawStop technology. Nevertheless, utmost caution is required with these, as with all power tools.

• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) contain information on the ingredients and hazards of each particular product. Scroll to the bottom of this page for MSDS resources.

Art Materials & Solvents

• Before using materials, read the content and ingredient lists on all labels. Be informed about what you are using. Pay particular attention to pigments, solvents, fixatives, Volatile Organic Compounds, and airborne particles.

• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) contain information on the ingredients and hazards of each particular product. Scroll to the bottom of this page for MSDS resources.

• Follow directions on labels. When the label says to use adequate ventilation, do so. Pay particular attention to skin and eye protection. Wear safety glasses and gloves when appropriate.

• When sanding or working with powders or dust-producing materials, always use an OSHA-approved particle mask.

Further Reading

• Artist Beware by Michael McCann

Material Safety Data Sheets detail the toxicity of materials. MSDS and related resources available online include:

• Blick (art materials)
• Rockler (woodworking)
• Safety Emporium (general)