Safety First as they say. I think most ceramicists who have gone through the ceramic education system is aware of best practices. Most obviously, keeping dust to a minimum. Sponging down the all surfaces after use, and mop the floor after each working day. Do not use dustpan and brush / broom for the workshop - best to hoover and wet mop. Similarly, when using weighing or handling dry plaster, or any dusty work, do this outside with a dust mask if possible or with adequate ventilation. I wouldn’t want to induce undue anxiety and some exposure is part of life but best know the facts - the dose is the poison. One reason is to reduce inhaling silica dust which does not get broken down by the body and can build up. Glassworkers tend to work wet when sanding precisely because of this. More information can be found here:

https://www.consumernotice.org/environmental/silica-dust/

A few other things - when firing kilns, have adequate ventilation hood or, I have the roof windows open at night when firing. It wasn’t recommended to me to work with gold gilding whilst pregnant, but I did most other things whilst pregnant with the same precautions as usual.

I find myself telling those in the building trade to wear masks more than ceramicists though, not that they seem to listen… It is especially important if they’re cutting granite or any stone material, often for kitchen worktops..

If other ceramicists have anything further to add to this, I will keep this a working document so please get in touch.

Using Clay Safely

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