Pottery Embassy – Studio Health & Safety Guidelines

Pottery Embassy is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and respectful studio environment for all students, tutors, and visitors. Working with clay, tools, equipment, and glazes, involves certain risks, so all participants are expected to follow safe studio practices and take reasonable care while using the space.

By attending classes or workshops, students agree to follow the health and safety guidelines outlined below.

Clay Dust & Air Quality

Clay dust and some ceramic materials may become airborne when dry and can irritate the lungs if repeatedly inhaled over time.

To help maintain good air quality within the studio:

• Use wet sponges or damp cloths when cleaning surfaces. All students are required to thoroughly clean their pottery wheel, tools, and surrounding workspace after each class. All studio cleaning must be completed using wet cleaning methods only. Please do not create unnecessary dust within the studio environment.

  Clay scraps should be picked up and removed before they dry out and become airborne dust, particularly after trimming sessions.

• Wipe down benches, wedging tables and wheel areas thoroughly after use

• No sanding inside the studio. If you want to sand your pieces please do it outside the studio. Bring and wear an appropriate face mask when sanding dry clay

• Help keep the studio tidy to reduce unnecessary dust build-up

• Used bats and moulds must be returned to the studio wiped clean and stored dry. Clay residue and moisture left on bats or moulds can dry out and create airborne dust, while damp surfaces may develop mould over time. Keeping studio equipment clean and dry helps maintain a healthier and safer studio environment for everyone.

• Do not shake out dusty towels, aprons, or cloths inside the studio.

• Clay-covered towels and cloths should be washed regularly to minimise dust build-up.

Maintaining a clean studio is a shared responsibility and helps create a healthier environment for everyone.

Slips, Trips & General Safety

Pottery studios can become slippery due to water, clay, and glaze materials.

Please ensure you:

• Wear suitable closed-toe footwear

• Please avoid running within the studio.

• Keep personal belongings and tools tidy and out of walkways

• Clean up spills immediately

• Move carefully around wheels, shelving, and shared work areas

• Use safe lifting techniques when handling clay bags, buckets, or heavy items

• Ask for assistance if lifting heavy objects

Students should also take regular care with posture while throwing, wedging, trimming, or hand-building to help reduce strain and repetitive injuries.

Safe Use of Tools & Equipment

Pottery tools and studio equipment must always be used responsibly.

Please:

• Handle trimming tools, knives, and sharp objects carefully. Participants are encouraged to use plastic knives instead of metal blades where possible

• Please wipe down the extruder thoroughly after each use to remove clay residue and moisture. Dried clay left on the extruder can create dust build-up over time, which may affect studio air quality and equipment cleanliness. Keeping the extruder clean also helps maintain the equipment in good working condition for all studio users.

• Return tools to their proper storage area after use. Tools must be wiped clean.

• Wheel throwing loaned tools must be taken home and washed after each class. Cleaning tools at home helps ensure workshops can finish on time and allows sufficient time for studio clean-up, pack-down, and preparation for the next class. Returning tools clean and ready for use also helps maintain a tidy and hygienic shared studio environment for all participants.

• Wedging areas must be wiped down after use to prevent clay drying up

• Slab rollers must be wiped down thoroughly after each use to remove clay residue and moisture. Clay left on the slab roller can dry out and create dust build-up over time, which may affect studio air quality and equipment cleanliness

• Report damaged tools or equipment immediately

• Never use studio equipment in an unsafe or reckless manner

Only authorised persons may use specialised equipment without supervision.

Pottery Wheel Safety

Pottery wheels involve rotating parts, water, and electricity, so proper care must be taken while working.

When using the wheel:

• Tie back long hair and avoid loose clothing or jewellery

• Long sleeves should be fitted or rolled up securely while using the wheel.

• Students should avoid placing phones, drinks, or personal items near wheel splash areas or electrical equipment.

• Maintain a clean and tidy wheel area

• Clean wheels thoroughly after each use by removing all slurry and clay residue, then sponge or wipe the wheel with fresh water before drying with a cloth or towel to help minimise clay dust build-up. All dirty water, slurry, and water used to clean your workspace must be emptied into your personal 10L lidded bucket and taken home with you. This helps protect studio plumbing, reduces clay waste entering sinks, and assists in maintaining a cleaner and safer studio environment for everyone.

• Clean up excess water and slip immediately to prevent slips

• Turn wheels off properly after use

• Report faults, unusual noises, or electrical concerns to your tutor immediately

Students are responsible for thoroughly cleaning their wheel and surrounding workspace after each class. Please ensure wheels and workspaces are thoroughly cleaned after use.”

Electrical Safety

Electrical equipment within the studio includes pottery wheels, heat tools, and appliances.

For safety reasons:

• Keep electrical cords away from water and walkways

• Do not use electrical equipment with wet hands

• Any electrical faults, sparks, overheating, or unusual smells must be reported immediately.

• Do not attempt to repair studio equipment yourself

• Inform a tutor immediately if equipment appears damaged or unsafe

• Ensure workspaces remain dry and uncluttered around electrical outlets

Only authorised persons may operate or maintain specialised electrical equipment.

Glazes, Chemicals & Materials

Some ceramic materials and glaze ingredients may cause irritation or health issues if handled incorrectly.

To ensure safe use of materials:

• Follow tutor instructions when glazing or using studio materials

• Wear gloves or masks when advised

• Avoid inhaling powdered glaze materials or dry clay dust

• Wash hands thoroughly after handling clay, glaze, or chemicals

• Do not eat or drink in glazing or active work areas

• Use only approved studio glazes and materials unless permission has been granted

All glaze materials should remain clearly labelled and stored appropriately.

Children and pregnant individuals should avoid direct exposure to raw glaze chemicals and powdered materials.

Studio Hygiene

To help maintain a safe and hygienic shared environment:

• Wash hands thoroughly before eating or drinking

• Food and beverages should only be consumed in designated areas

• Do not wash clay-covered tools or materials in kitchen sinks.

• Water used to wash your spaces must be poured into your 10L lidded bucket

• Help keep shared spaces clean and organised

• Please wash hands thoroughly before leaving the studio.

• Shared studio surfaces should be left clean and ready for the next class.

Personal Safety & Respectful Studio Use

Pottery Embassy aims to provide a positive and respectful environment for all students and staff.

Students are expected to:

• Follow tutor instructions at all times

• Respect shared equipment and studio spaces

• Be mindful of others working nearby

• Report hazards, injuries, or unsafe behaviour immediately

• Participate in end-of-class clean-up procedures

Anyone behaving in a way that places themselves, others, or the studio at risk may be asked to leave the workshop or class.

Emergency Procedures

In the event of an emergency:

• Notify a tutor immediately

• Follow evacuation instructions

• Familiarise yourself with emergency exits and fire extinguisher locations

• Report all injuries, accidents, or hazards as soon as possible, no matter how minor

Pottery Embassy appreciates everyone’s cooperation in helping maintain a safe, supportive, and enjoyable creative environment.

First Aid & Incident Reporting

• A basic first aid kit is available within the studio.

• All injuries, cuts, burns, slips, or incidents must be reported to the tutor as soon as possible, even if minor.

• Emergency contact details may be requested for workshop participants where required.

By attending workshops or classes at Pottery Embassy, participants acknowledge the inherent risks associated with pottery activities and agree to follow all studio safety instructions and procedures.