Most artists are aware that some of the materials that they use and processes that they undertake can carry health and safety risks, and as students we have been introduced and familiarised with some aspects of health and safety in previous projects.
What many artists may not be aware of is that they as self-employed individuals, have a duty under health and safety law to ensure that their working environment complies with regional health and safety legislation. For this project tghis will not be so nessecary legally as we are working from home, but we should prioritize it equally as we should still be acting to protect out health and the health and safety of those in our household. Being mindful of health and safety is also a great habit to get into as an artist and is a practice we need to familiarise ourselves with to prepare for working in public/private galleries in future. For most artists their workplace is the studio. Whether like ours, is a purpose built facility with access to different building and spaces. Perhaps a rented space or an extension to their home. The nature of producing and creating art, especially the way I do, means that I use a lot of different methods and materials to make my work. I also undertake a wide range of physical activities and processes in producing work. Both materials used and production activities themselves can be detrimental to an artist’s health and safety, quality of life and career. Unlike normal workplaces, we do not have occupational health to come and make sure everything is safe and healthy; we must monitor and control these ourselves. Apart from it being a legal requirement, it is in the interest of artists to protect their own health and safety as well as ensuring that studios and work environments are safe for visitors, family or clients. The Legislation Artists that work freelance and do not have a residency are legally bound to provide a safe working environment as set out in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.” Failure to provide a safe working environment can result in civil cases taken by visitors or employees if you employ others to work with you in your studio.” Risk Assessment A risk assessment identifies the hazards in a workplace and evaluates the risks posed by these hazards. Below are some terms you will often see in a risk assessment.
* Analyse the studio or workplace. This may involve listing all the activities carried out in the studio, drawing up a diagram of the space and mapping the location of equipment such as computers, sinks, radiators, shelving, kilns etc, it may also be useful to monitor the hazards in proximity to areas that are frequently used * Identify the hazards associated with activities you’ll be doing. For example, electrical hazards associated with untaped cables which may cause tripping or falling. Chemical hazards associated with toxic materials, hazards that are associated with stone work – dust inhalation for example (which is why the ceramics studio has ventilators). Textile dyes are particularly hazardous to skin and phytochemicals used by photographers are associated with skin and respiratory diseases, one of the reasons the photo studio in 25 Stoney street has twice the eyewash stations as any other department in the building. Some hazards may not seem so obvious such as unsecured shelving, the glare from PC monitors, for example, but even the chair that you sit on, if incorrectly adjusted, can cause back injury. * Rate the risk level associated with each hazard. This assessment of risk is a question of judgement, come to a reasonable conclusion on how dangerous you think it actually is. * Evaluate the ‘controls’ that may already be in place to make the hazards less hazardous. Controls are essentially precautions that are put in place to eliminate or reduce the risks. A control may take the form of signage near a leaking sink that warns of a slippery surface, warning labels on chemicals, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as goggles and dust masks for working with stone or when printmaking for example. Hierarchy of Controls After a Risk Assessment of the studio or workplace has been done, there needs to be a resolution or a balance to each risk proposed. “ The Health and Safety Legislation sets out a five-step hierarchy of controls on how to deal with or control risks. It is called a hierarchy because the most effective control is placed at the top. You should implement these controls in priority order starting at the top and working down the list. 1. Eliminate: If you can eliminate the hazard altogether you should do so. So for example, avoid using a particular type of toxic chemical altogether or avoid carrying heavy loads yourself. 2. Substitute: Can you substitute the materials or equipment for ones that are less hazardous? For example, can you use an alternative brand of paint – one that is less toxic or can you substitute that faulty heater for one that works a bit better. 3. Engineering: Can you install Fire Extinguishers in your workplace? Ensure that the electrical installation in your studio is certified and maintained by a competent person. 4. Administrative: Clearly display signage warning of hazards associated with materials such as chemicals and toxic paints or signage warning visitors of poor floor conditions or obstructions. 5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): PPE is any safety clothing or equipment worn to protect against hazards. You should use goggles to protect against dust or debris for example.” Summary of Responsibilities To summarise, you must display a Safety Statement in your workplace or studio. The Safety Statement must be accompanied by a Risk Assessment. This must include risks for all people including visitors. For every hazard identified, controls or preventions must be put in place to ensure the risk of harm is eliminated or reduced. Finally, your Statement and Risk Assessment must be revised annually to ensure any new hazards are identified and controls implemented.
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Author24 year old student from Nottingham, United Kingdom. Archives
June 2020
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