Developing Environmental Developing Environmental Safety in the Arts – Princeton’s Safety in the Arts – Princeton’s ApproachApproach

Robin IzzoAssistant Director

Environmental Health and SafetyPrinceton University

www.princeton.edu/ehsrmizzo@princeton.edu

609-258-6259

EpiphanyEpiphany UVM Screen Printing Room

Solvent-based inks No ventilation 100+ year old building

Vermont Artists Consortium Did VanGogh Die for Art?

Visual Arts at Princeton Visual Arts at Princeton Undergraduate Visual Arts Theater Dance Students have 24 hour access Majors have shared or personal studios 1000 enrolled students in art courses

~500 Visual Arts majors

Visual Arts at PrincetonVisual Arts at Princeton ~55 Visual Arts Faculty

22 “permanent” Mostly dance, theater, writing, computer graphics

Remainder are “adjunct” faculty Turnover every 1-3 years Most commute from New York City

Faculty required to be on campus 2 days per week

Usually not in until after 1 PM

Visual Arts at PrincetonVisual Arts at Princeton Painting and Drawing Sculpture Lithography Photography Printmaking Ceramics Video Theater and Dance

Why an Art Safety Program?Why an Art Safety Program? Health and safety issues Environmental concerns Fire safety issues Hazard Communication Right to Know Many artists are not familiar with most of

these issues

Art HazardsArt Hazards Painting Sculpture Photography Ceramics Lithography Theater

Environmental IssuesEnvironmental Issues RCRA

Hazardous Waste Clean Air Act

Spray booths Sculpture shop

Clean Water Act Ceramics Drain disposal

Princeton’s ProgramPrinceton’s Program Previously treated generically

general Hazard Communication Program general Hazard Communication Training Right to Know Inventories Respirator Program Waste Disposal

Relatively good shape

Princeton’s ProgramPrinceton’s Program EHS Overall Trend

move from broad based programs to specialized programs

common problem - expectations not communicated

identify goals and objectives, work with department to determine how to make it work based on their needs

Princeton’s ProgramPrinceton’s Program Specialized Training Program

all incoming faculty all students review specific issues quiz

Inspections Semi-annual EHS inspections Monthly departmental inspections

Princeton’s ProgramPrinceton’s Program Theater Safety Program

Staff and student in the Theater Program Student Theater Groups

Theater In-Time Triangle Club

Training Program On-line Student Theater Safety Guide

www.princeton.edu/sites/ehs/theatersafety

Princeton’s ProgramPrinceton’s Program Student Theater Safety Training

Event Planning Fire code permits, security needs, etc.

Emergency Procedures Set Design and Construction

Rigging, power tools, chemical safety, etc. Lighting and Sound Special effects Performance Strike

Princeton’s ProgramPrinceton’s Program Environmental Stewardship

University policy Long-standing policy on regulatory fines

EPA, OSHA, State, etc. Fines from violations are the responsibility of

the department where the violation was noted Department can pass along fines to labs,

groups, etc.

Princeton Art Safety TrainingPrinceton Art Safety Training Hazard Communication Program Understanding Chemical Safety Info Spill Cleanup Waste Disposal Medium-Specific Concerns

PaintingPainting Pigments

“hues” Thinners Linseed Oil

autoignition Adhesives

sensitizers Oil-based paints Turpentine

sensitizer - odorless thinner is better alternative

Paint PigmentsPaint Pigments

Antimony True Naples Yellow Resp and GI Irritation

Arsenic Cobalt violetEmerald Green

Skin/eye/GI irritationCNS disorders, Cancer

Cadmium All cadmium pigments Lung, kidney, CNS diseaseHigh BP, anemia

Chromium Chromium green, strontiumyellow, viridian, chromeyellow, zinc yellow

Skin, respiratory irritationAllergiesLung cancer

Lead Flake white, mixed white,Naples or chrome yellow

CNS disorder, GI problems

Manganese Burnt amber, Mn blue, Mnviolet, Mars brown

Respiratory irritationCNS problems

Mercury Vermillion CNS disease

Precautions for PaintersPrecautions for Painters Know the what is in your pigments. Use

the least toxic. Avoid mixing dry pigments. Avoid hand to mouth contact. Don’t use your mouth to point your brush. Avoid using turpentine - use thinner Use least dusty forms of chalk, pastels, etc.

PhotographyPhotography Developer

alkaline Stop Bath

acetic acid Fixers

Disposal problems Reducer

Mix with concentrated acid or high heat, can release cyanide gas

Many photochemicals are sensitizers

Precautions for PhotographersPrecautions for Photographers Use liquid chemistry Avoid skin exposure Cover baths when not

in use. Use pre-mixed chemicals Rinse with water between acid bleach step and

fixing steps. (sulfur dioxide gas) Use good ventilation.

CeramicsCeramics Silica - silicosis

sand, perlite, grog, vermiculite

Mold - wet clay Musculo-skeletal problems Glazes - metals Skin irritation

clay, glazes Kiln - fumes, CO, IR

Precautions for CeramicsPrecautions for Ceramics Use pre-mixed clay. Use good ventilation. Clean daily. Moisturize hands. Avoid lead glazes Use gloves when handling glazes Use good ventilation and CO for kiln Wear IR goggles when looking into kiln Electrical safety and good material handling

SculptureSculpture Wood shop - same hazards and concerns as

maintenance, etc. Plasters, silica, etc. Spray Paint Clay Paints Mold-making

Resins

Precautions for SculptorsPrecautions for Sculptors Use eye and face protection Choose the least hazardous woods and stones Do not use plaster for casting body parts Use good lifting techniques Protect hands against vibration of hand tools Use machining tools under supervision

Precautions for SculptorsPrecautions for Sculptors Take breaks to avoid carpal tunnel

syndrome Avoid chlorinated waxes Protect against electrical hazards Wear gloves when applying epoxy glues

and hardeners, formaldehyde glues or solvent-based adhesives

Lithography/PrintmakingLithography/Printmaking Linseed Oil Solvents Sharp Tools Hot Plates Inks Nitric acid

contamination with solvents

disposal

Environmental ConcernsEnvironmental Concerns Waste disposal

solvents, oils oily rags photochemicals acids and bases sharps empty chemical containers glazes

Environmental ConcernsEnvironmental Concerns Drain disposal

fixers thinners

Air emissions paint spray booths exhaust from woodworking equipment

EPA Initiative focus on art department dumpster diving

Pollution PreventionPollution Prevention Use “hues” High flashpoint solvents (Turpenoid) Baby Oil for brush cleaning Digital photography Silver recovery Recycle everything possible

Institutional Recycling Network

Getting StartedGetting Started Partnership between department and EHS to

determine expectations and requirements Ordered and installed needed materials Mandatory meeting with faculty White tornado of corrective actions Meet with students and faculty to explain new

procedures and provide specialized training

Getting StartedGetting Started Videotaped meeting and training for those

who could not attend. Began frequent inspections. Notified faculty

and students about infractions. Included building janitor in training,

particular attention on waste disposal. Recruited casual employee to conduct

inspections of studios twice weekly.

InitiativesInitiatives Standardized containers Pre-printed labels MSDS proliferation Signage Spill Kits Purchasing Restrictions Waste Disposal

Improvements Inspections

Standardized ContainersStandardized Containers Previously - any available glass container -

often food or drink containers Difficult to identify what was a chemical

container vs. a true food container Pre-labeled mason jars required. Lids

available - required when material not in use.

Pre-Printed Waste LabelsPre-Printed Waste Labels Color-coded printed labels provided by

EHS for regular waste streams Waste poster with label supply Sample labels affixed to cabinets.

MSDSsMSDSs Always good about

keeping MSDSs on hand, but accessibility was an issue.

MSDS notebook for every classroom.

Clearly labeled. Chained to cabinets.

SignageSignage Instructions posted in

every room drain disposal

restrictions MSDS locations Closing checklist Spill kit locations

No excuse for not following procedures

Lamination

SignageSignage

Spill KitsSpill Kits Increased number of

spill kits to ensure all areas covered.

Provided training on how and when to use them.

Purchasing RestrictionsPurchasing Restrictions Non-majors cannot bring in personal

materials Majors have a budget All materials purchased through technician

or approved by technician Ensures MSDS availability and hazard

assessment

Waste Disposal ImprovementsWaste Disposal Improvements Clarified expectations Standardized waste

containers Standardized labeling Inspections

InspectionsInspections EHS involved in first

rounds Monthly inspections

by department staff Weekly inspections of

student areas by casual employee

Assistance by janitor Public violation notice

InspectionsInspections Most Common “Violations” noted

Incompletely labeled containers Flammable liquid storage cabinets not closed

tightly Lids or foil covers missing from individual

containers of thinners Rags left on the floor Funnels left in waste containers Labels on containers in cabinet not facing out

How Can You Do This?How Can You Do This? Learn about the issues

Find out what your art department does. Familiarize yourself about the issues using

reference materials. Determine which issues apply to your

institution.

How Can You Do This?How Can You Do This? Find the right people

find your champion may not be the department chair or manager educate the people with authority about the

issues and the potential consequences people money

Work with them to find workable solutions

TrainingTraining Establish a specialized training program. Find a way to include everyone in the

training. Not just classroom training

faculty pass it onto the students inspections/problem discussion also help

educate people

Inspect and Follow UpInspect and Follow Up Inspections/follow-up absolutely crucial. Do not drop and dash. Follow it through. Frequent at first, then taper off as

improvements made. Feedback to faculty and students.

Accountability is crucial. Celebrate successes.

ResourcesResources Web Sites

Center for Safety in the Arts http://artsnet.heinz.cmu.edu:70/0/csa

ACTS: Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety http://www.caseweb.com/acts/

Princeton Univ Art Safety Training Guide http://www.princeton.edu/sites/ehs/artsafety

Princeton Univ Theater Operations Manual http://www.princeton.edu/sites/ehs/theatersafety

BooksBooks Artist Beware - Michael McCann, PhD, CIH The Artist’s Complete Health and Safety Guide, Monona

Rossol, MS, MFA Overexposure: Photography Hazards -Susan Shaw and

Monona Rossol Making Art Safely - M. Spandorfer, D. Curtiss, J. Snyder, MD Stage Fright: Health & Safety in Theater - Monona Rossol,

MS, MFA Health Hazards Manual for Artists - Michael McCann, PhD,

CIH

Questions???Questions???

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