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At Duncan all of our products are designed to offer you the utmost in excellent results and creative satisfaction. Our Health & Safety section guides you through important information on our ceramic products.
Whether you’re a beginner, an educator, a business owner or a ceramics artist, read through this information carefully for general health and safety information that relates to your ceramics activities.
Housekeeping
Keeping your work area clean is a must when working with ceramics.
- Keep work surfaces and shelves clean by wiping down with a wet sponge, rinsing the sponge frequently.
- Work on newspaper or paper towels for easy cleanup and disposal.
- Clean up spills when they occur.
- Wet-mop floors to control dust (do not sweep and spread the dust).
- Wash brushes immediately after use.
- Clean jar rims before closing to eliminate buildup of dried product.
- Keep dust under control.
Personal hygiene
Ceramic products and materials are very safe to handle, when you keep in mind that materials should not be ingested or dust inhaled. Smoking, eating and drinking should not be combined with working on ceramics. Besides examples of poor hygiene, such practices can leave substances such as salt and oil on the work surfaces and thus ruin the glazes.
Measures should be taken to protect any cuts or open wounds when working with materials used to product ceramics. Always wash hands and arms thoroughly afterward and be sure to put away materials where small children cannot reach them. Do not use any utensils that will be later used in a kitchen.
If there is an accidental ingestion, call a doctor or your local Poison Control Center (listed with emergency numbers in the front of many telephone books).
Personal protective equipment
For some areas of ceramics, simple forms of personal protective equipment are recommended.
Dark-shaded glasses from a safety supply house (shade number 1.7-3.0) are recommended when looking into kiln peepholes. Normal sunglasses are inadequate for this purpose. Using the proper glasses not only helps protect your eyes from radiating heat, but also allows your to see witness cones more clearly.
Wearing contact lenses is not recommended when working in dusty environments. Dust particles may become trapped between the lens and the surface of the eye, and these small particles could scratch the eye.
A smock or apron should be worn when working with ceramic materials in order to protect clothing and to prevent spreading dust outside the work area. The smock or apron should then be left in the work area and should be laundered regularly.
Ventilation
We recommend that kilns be fitted with an overhead canopy-type exhaust hood, or be kept near a window with an exhaust fan, as gases can be released as a by-product of the firing process. Studio-sized kilns should not be fired in the work area unless the kiln is under a hood vented to the outside.
Kiln safety
There are some basic safety considerations to remember when using a kiln.
Kilns are electrical appliances used to heat the pieces to a very high temperature. It is possible to receive a shock or to be burned if the kiln is misused or abused. Do not operate the kiln in a wet area.
Do not allow children near the kiln.
Do not plug in or unplug the kiln unless the circuit is off. Be sure the kiln-sitter is not engaged and that all switches are OFF before loading or unloading the kiln. Do not open the lid with the kiln turned on.
Never touch the outside of the kiln (other than the control panel) when it is turned on HIGH or HIGH-FIRE, as the kiln surface temperature will be very hot.
Do not leave papers or combustibles around the kiln, or place objects on the kiln while firing. Always unplug the kiln when making any repairs.
Do not try to unload the kiln until the outside of the kiln is cool to the touch and the pieces can be easily touched by your bare hand.
When unloading a kiln, be careful of the stilt marks on glazed ceramic pieces. They can be sharp and should be smoothed as soon as possible with a grinding wheel or stone.
Be sure to wear safety glasses while grinding off stilt marks.
Dinnerware-safe glazes
Many conventional lead-bearing glazes are formulated to be safely used on surfaces that come into contact with food or drink. These glazes are labeled dinnerware safe.
Most nontoxic glazes are safe for application to food and dink containers. The exceptions are nontoxic glazes which produce a textured or crackled surface. Food particles and bacteria can be trapped in these porous surfaces, creating unsanitary conditions.
Dinnerware-safe glazes are identified with the notation SAFE FOR FOOD CONTAINERS on the front of the label. If a glaze label does not contain this phrase, do not use the glaze on pieces that come into contact with food or drink.
Follow the directions on the jar label closely.
Do not mix dinnerware-safe glazes, as the balance of ingredients in each glaze will be disrupted. Each mixture would have to be retested by an approved laboratory to determine if the mixture is also dinnerware safe.
Proper firing of dinnerware-safe glazes is critical. Pyrometric cones should be used on the kiln shelves to ensure that the pieces are fired hot enough. Dinnerware-safe glazes should be fired to a mature witness cone 06.
Lead and cadmium are used in many ceramic glazes. The cadmium is essential to product the brilliant reds and yellows. The lead gives a brilliance to the glaze and allows the glazes to mature in the low-fire ceramic firing range. The lead and cadmium used in many glazes are chemically combined in a glass to reduce their solubility, but nothing is completely insoluble. Good hygiene habits and a clean workplace will allow the safe use of these products for a lifetime.
Sprays, solvents and overglazes
These products are easy to use safely and will present no problems as long as these important rules are observed:
- Keep out of reach of children.
- Use in a well-ventilated area.
- Never smoke when spraying.
- Clean up after use.
Sprays, solvents and overglazes should not be used near a heat source or open flame, or close to the kiln. Do not smoke while spraying. Containers are to be kept closed when not in use. Rags and paper towels or tissues used with these products should be placed in the trash for immediate disposal.
Slip
As with any finely ground substance (flour, for example), dust control is the primary safety factor to be remembered by those who customarily mix slip. Ceramic bodies consist of clay minerals and silica, so the dust that occurs from mixing the slip should be kept to a minimum. When mixing slip, a National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health-approved respirator should be used.
The work area should be well ventilated. It is best if the area can easily be washed down to clean the dust from the surfaces. Clean up spilled slip immediately, as it is extremely slippery. The slip-mixing equipment should be away from the glazing area to prevent contamination of the ware by exposure to dust.
Read labels with care
Conforms to ASTM D-4236. Certified to contain no materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to humans or to cause acute or chronic health problems.
Certified to be properly labeled with information on safe and proper handling and use. Have undergone toxicological evaluation by a medical expert. Labels disclose any known health risks associated with improper handling.
Spraying lead-based glazes
Important note: Duncan does not recommend the spray application of lead-based glazes by hobbyists, students or participants in institutional ceramics programs.
When spraying lead-based glazes, commercial users should use extreme caution and follow these safety musts:
Follow all OSHA guidelines for handling lead.
Be sure to use ONLY a dust and mist respirator for lead that has been approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, and replace often. A safety supply house is the best source of dust masks and information. (Please note that ordinary masks sold by paint and hardware stores do not offer adequate protection from glaze mists.)
Use a spray booth equipped with a strong fan that exhausts all glaze mists away from the breathing zone. Replace all spray-booth filters often. For example, if glazes are sprayed for two hours a day, the filter should be replaced at least every week; if glazes are sprayed eight or more hours a day, the filter should be replaced every day.
Wear protect clothing that is removed before eating, drinking, smoking or leaving work. Wash hands and arms thoroughly immediately after spraying and remove protective clothes. Do not smoke or eat in the work area.
If glaze spraying is a regular or major part of work, regular blood-lead-level testing by your doctor is necessary.
Airbrushing nontoxic glazes
Important note: Nontoxic glazes are the ONLY glazes that Duncan recommends for spray application by hobbyists, students and participants in institutional ceramics programs.
Adequate ventilation is recommended when spraying any glaze.
If a commercial spray booth is not available, an improvised spray booth constructed of cardboard or other material can be used to catch the overspray.
The spray booth should be placed near an open window to ensure good ventilation.
Medical supervision
Pregnant women who are active ceramists should notify their physician of their work with ceramic products.
If lead-based glaze spraying is a regular or major part of work, regular blood-lead-level testing by your doctor is necessary.
Make safety a habit
Keep these common-sense safety rules in mind and remember to observe them. Ceramics is a safe, enjoyable activity with a fine safety record. Let’s keep it that way.
At Duncan, all of our products are designed to offer you the utmost in excellent results and creative satisfaction. Our Health & Safety section guides you through important information on our craft products.
Whether you’re a beginner, an educator, a business owner or an artist, read through this information carefully for general health and safety information that relates to your fashion art and crafting activities.
Personal hygiene
A smock or apron and protective latex gloves should be worn when working with fabric dyes to protect clothing and hands. Make sure excess dye dust is removed from the work area. It is invisible until it reacts with water.
Dry dye powder can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Avoid inhaling dye dust over an extended period. Use in well-ventilated area.
Ergonomics
The uniquely shaped Tulip® Capstand allows paint to be stored upside-down, minimizing air bubbles and improving flow for better application and control. Our Tulip 1.25-oz. EasyFlow bottle is specially designed to reduce hand fatigue, and improve accuracy and precision in application.
Shelf Life
Freeze-thaw and oven stability tests are conducted on our crafts products to ensure long shelf life, so you can be assured of the utmost quality.
Wash Tests
Our full line of dimensional and soft fabric paint, fabric dyes and fabric glues and adhesives undergo extensive wash tests to ensure consistent color quality and performance.
Spray sealers and Platinum Bond adhesives
These products are easy to use safely and will present no problems as long as these important rules are observed:
* Keep out of reach of children.
* Use in a well-ventilated area.
* Never smoke when spraying.
* Clean up after use.
Sprays and solvents should not be used near a heat source or open flame, or close to the kiln. Do not smoke while spraying. Containers are to be kept closed when not in use. Rags and paper towels or tissues used with these products should be placed in the trash for immediate disposal.
Read labels with care
Conforms to ASTM D-4236. Certified to contain no materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to humans or to cause acute or chronic health problems.
Certified to be properly labeled with information on safe and proper handling and use. Have undergone toxicological evaluation by a medical expert. Labels disclose any known health risks associated with improper handling.
Make safety a habit
Keep these common-sense safety rules in mind and remember to observe them for the most enjoyable creative experience.
At Duncan, all of our products are designed to offer you the utmost in excellent results and creative satisfaction. Our Health & Safety section guides you through important information on our craft products.
Whether you’re a beginner, an educator, a business owner or an artist, read through this information carefully for general health and safety information that relates to your fashion art and crafting activities.
Personal hygiene
A smock or apron and protective latex gloves should be worn when working with fabric dyes to protect clothing and hands. Make sure excess dye dust is removed from the work area. It is invisible until it reacts with water.
Dry dye powder can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Avoid inhaling dye dust over an extended period. Use in well-ventilated area.
Ergonomics
The uniquely shaped Tulip® Capstand allows paint to be stored upside-down, minimizing air bubbles and improving flow for better application and control. Our Tulip 1.25-oz. EasyFlow bottle is specially designed to reduce hand fatigue, and improve accuracy and precision in application.
Shelf Life
Freeze-thaw and oven stability tests are conducted on our crafts products to ensure long shelf life, so you can be assured of the utmost quality.
Wash Tests
Our full line of dimensional and soft fabric paint, fabric dyes and fabric glues and adhesives undergo extensive wash tests to ensure consistent color quality and performance.
Spray sealers and Platinum Bond adhesives
These products are easy to use safely and will present no problems as long as these important rules are observed:
* Keep out of reach of children.
* Use in a well-ventilated area.
* Never smoke when spraying.
* Clean up after use.
Sprays and solvents should not be used near a heat source or open flame, or close to the kiln. Do not smoke while spraying. Containers are to be kept closed when not in use. Rags and paper towels or tissues used with these products should be placed in the trash for immediate disposal.
Read labels with care
Conforms to ASTM D-4236. Certified to contain no materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to humans or to cause acute or chronic health problems.
Certified to be properly labeled with information on safe and proper handling and use. Have undergone toxicological evaluation by a medical expert. Labels disclose any known health risks associated with improper handling.
Make safety a habit
Keep these common-sense safety rules in mind and remember to observe them for the most enjoyable creative experience.
At Duncan, all of our products are designed to offer you the utmost in excellent results and creative satisfaction. Our Health & Safety section guides you through important information on our craft products.
Whether you’re a beginner, an educator, a business owner or an artist, read through this information carefully for general health and safety information that relates to your fashion art and crafting activities.
Personal hygiene
A smock or apron and protective latex gloves should be worn when working with fabric dyes to protect clothing and hands. Make sure excess dye dust is removed from the work area. It is invisible until it reacts with water.
Dry dye powder can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Avoid inhaling dye dust over an extended period. Use in well-ventilated area.
Ergonomics
The uniquely shaped Tulip® Capstand allows paint to be stored upside-down, minimizing air bubbles and improving flow for better application and control. Our Tulip 1.25-oz. EasyFlow bottle is specially designed to reduce hand fatigue, and improve accuracy and precision in application.
Shelf Life
Freeze-thaw and oven stability tests are conducted on our crafts products to ensure long shelf life, so you can be assured of the utmost quality.
Wash Tests
Our full line of dimensional and soft fabric paint, fabric dyes and fabric glues and adhesives undergo extensive wash tests to ensure consistent color quality and performance.
Spray sealers and Platinum Bond adhesives
These products are easy to use safely and will present no problems as long as these important rules are observed:
* Keep out of reach of children.
* Use in a well-ventilated area.
* Never smoke when spraying.
* Clean up after use.
Sprays and solvents should not be used near a heat source or open flame, or close to the kiln. Do not smoke while spraying. Containers are to be kept closed when not in use. Rags and paper towels or tissues used with these products should be placed in the trash for immediate disposal.
Read labels with care
Conforms to ASTM D-4236. Certified to contain no materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to humans or to cause acute or chronic health problems.
Certified to be properly labeled with information on safe and proper handling and use. Have undergone toxicological evaluation by a medical expert. Labels disclose any known health risks associated with improper handling.
Make safety a habit
Keep these common-sense safety rules in mind and remember to observe them for the most enjoyable creative experience.