Art and theatre departments at academic institutions come with their own unique safety hazards. For example, in both Williams Hall and Royall Tyler Theatre, there is a machine shop with mechanical equipment that includes the use of lathes, grinders and mechanical saws. In studio art classes and theatre scene shops, a variety of chemical compounds are also used on a regular basis. These may include paints, glazes, aerosols, glues and solvents. Chemicals in these academic disciplines are often molded, brushed and/or sprayed and many of them contain chemicals that may be flammable, corrosive or toxic. Substituting non-hazardous alternatives and using proper engineering controls, such as having adequate ventilation for these activities, can be a key way to reducing such safety hazards.
Materials and procedures in art and theatre departments should be individually assessed and clearly documented as they might be in a typical laboratory setting.
Please contact Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) to perform a hazard assessment of a current practices or before you begin a new procedure. Never do repairs or make changes to anything that may affect a building system (e.g. electrical, mechanical, ventilation) without contact EHS personnel first.