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Health & Safety in the Arts A Searchable Database of Health & Safety Information for Artists |
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 Personal Protective Equipment |
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Personal Safety Equipment Always try substituting toxic materials with those that are less hazardous. Use personal protective equipment when hazardous materials must be used. Personal protective equipment is important, but it does not remove the contaminants from the studio environment. Respirators Air purifying respirators remove toxic materials, i.e., dust, metal fumes and mists from the air you breathe. Buy respirators approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for the particular contaminants to which you are exposed. Replace filters and cartridges regularly. Eye and Face Protection Use goggles and face shields against flying particles, chemical splashes and dusts, and radiation. Flying Particles: The equipment designed to protect against flying particles produced in grinding, chipping and machining are four basic types: (1) spectacles with or without side shields, (2) flexible fitting goggles, (3) cushion fitting goggles with rigid frame, and (4) chipping goggles. Goggles without side shields are not recommended. If you are wearing a face shield, you should wear goggles underneath. Chemical Splashes and Dusts: If protection is needed against eye irritation, or from dusts and noncorrosive chemicals use hooded goggles. If there is a chemical splash risk, then face shields should be used with goggles underneath. If non-ventilated goggles are used against irritating vapors, a non-fogging goggle should be used. For severe exposure from irritating vapors, full-face respirators are preferred. Radiation: Ultraviolet, infrared, and visible glare radiation require goggles with appropriate degrees of shading. Processes include: welding, brazing, furnace operations including kilns, molten metals, and carbon arcs. Use the darkest shade you can while still having visibility. For protection against infrared radiation use welding goggles with shade numbers between 1.7 and 2.5, or polycarbonate goggles developed for infrared radiation. Gloves Gloves are one of the most important ways of preventing skin problems. Gloves are available that can protect you against most skin hazards. These include chrome tanned leather gloves for protection against heat, sparks, molten metal, chipping, and cuts; fabric work gloves against dirt, abrasion, cold and slivers; metal mesh gloves protect against knives and similar tools (but not power tools); and plastic and rubber gloves to protect against corrosive and toxic liquids. Ear plugs Pliable rubber, plastics or wax plugs can reduce noise levels by 25-30 dB. Can be used at noise levels of 115-120 dB. Ear Muffs Ear muffs provide 10-15dB more protection than ear plugs. Use against noise levels in the range of 130-135 dB. Wear a combination of ear plugs and ear muffs to get greater noise reduction. Head and Foot Protection If you have long hair, wear a hair-restraining cap when working around machinery or chemicals. Wear protective headgear when welding. Hard hats can be used to protect against falling objects, flying particles and electric shock. Safety shoes may be needed to protect against electric shock, sparks, or molten metal or glass, heavy stones in sculpture or printmakng. These shoes also help prevent static electricity when working with large amounts of flammable solvents |
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| This information set forth herein is furnished free of charge and is based on public domain information that is believed to be reliable. The City of Tucson makes no warranty as to the completeness or accuracy thereof. The information is to be used at an individual's own risk. | |
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This web site is sponsored by the City of Tucson's Environmental Management Division through an Environmental Justice Grant. | |
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