Maintaining a Hazard-Free Art Learning Environment
By: Allison Jerard
Art teachers have a responsibility to provide their students with a safe learning environment. Ensuring a safe and hazard-free classroom should begin with a thorough inventory and understanding of the existing conditions.
The following outline of questions indicates the type of information that should be gathered.
General Classroom Conditions
- Housekeeping. Is there dirt, debris and dust around the room? Is there adequate storage and access? Are there informational and warning signs in key places?
- Tools and equipment. What is their place and condition? Is there a maintenance schedule for all tools and equipment?
- Lighting. Is there natural and/or artificial light? Is it adequate?
- Ventilation. What are the provisions for general and local fresh air sources?
Current Practices
- Instructional methods. How and to what extent are health and safety issues included in lesson presentations and general classroom instruction?
- Student responsibilities. What is expected of students in terms of the use and care of art tools and materials in the classroom?
- Monitoring responsibilities. Who ensures that correct procedures are followed? What are the consequences of violations?
- Classroom management. How are the distribution and pick-up of tools and materials handled? What about the handling of any hazardous materials in the classroom? How is hazardous waste handled in the art classroom?
Age and Risk Groups
- Bodily development. What are the natural weaknesses and defenses for each age group in my classroom?
- Human weaknesses. What students are allergies, chemical sensitivities or respiratory problems?
- Exposure accumulation. What is the frequency and term of exposure with any questionable materials?
- Skill development. To what extent do students know about correct procedures? What ages are able to handle what tools and materials without risk?
Materials and Activities
- Toxicity. What are the relative rating of materials used in my curriculum?
- Ingestion, inhalation and absorption through the skin. What are the possibilities of these occurring in the classroom?
- Power tools. Are power tools located and used with concern for safety? Is the noise level a problem?
- Activities. Have these been selected to minimize problems?
The art teacher is the best person to compile this information with the help of the school nurse, the principal, concerned parents and students. This information only provides the basis for decision making.
The next step is to determine what practices are needed to ensure a healthy and safe program-and then to implement them.
Five Common Hazards in the Art Classroom
- Eating and drinking while working
- Improper ventilation
- Forgetting to wash hands after working
- Not knowing current safety procedures such as first aid.
- Failure to wipe up spills immediately.
20 Quick Tips
1. Use only water-based markers. Permanent markers should not be used in schools (especially in grades K-6).
2. Make sure children do not have exposed cuts or sores on their hands or arms.
3. Keep dust to a minimum by vacuuming and wet mopping rather than sweeping.
4. Students should refrain from eating and drinking while engaging in art projects.
5. Student should wash hands thoroughly when finished working.
6. Pre-mix dry materials (e.g., powered tempera) and fire ceramic products when students are away from the classroom in order to reduce exposure to hazardous dust and fumes.
7. Dispose of unlabeled containers. Keep liquids in tightly covered, clearly marked containers.
8. Keep supply cabinets in order and label all supplies.
9. Post signs in the classroom reinforcing safety rules and, when necessary, provide verbal warning.
10. Make sure to include safety procedures in classroom instruction when appropriate and provide reminders.
11. Establish a dress code for the art classroom (e.g., no loose hair, no loose clothing, no dangling jewelry when power tools or potter's wheels are being used).
12. Always model appropriate procedures and wear necessary protective gear (e.g., eye protection is necessary when chipping and carving sculptured form and in the cutting and sanding of wood).
13. Meet with the school nurse to get information on school procedures in case of ingestion or reaction problems. Find out if any of your students have allergies. Ask for a first aid kit to be placed in full-view on a wall in the classroom.
14. Make sure that materials and containers will not fall off shelves.
15. Make sure proper ventilation is available when working with art materials and equipment (e.g., spraying, kiln firing, clay mixing, photographic processes).
16. Make sure to use nontoxic glues and adhesives (rubber cement, wheat paste and airplane glue should not be used in the classroom).
17. Keep a complete inventory of all art materials used. This should be an annual activity. Look for information about toxicity on product labels.
18. A classroom safety checklist is an effective way to control hazards and should be used regularly. Students could become "safety inspectors" to help in this task.
19. Check available lists of acceptable art and craft materials. Several states provide them, and some require teachers to purchase only those items on the approved lists.
20. Keep abreast of public notices on art hazards.
Product Roundup
Sargent Art Tempera Cakes
Sargent Art Tempera Cakes are an economical and long-lasting way to paint with temperas. Users simply moisten the cakes with a wet paint brush and start painting. Tempera Paint Cakes can be used to create beautiful works of art on paper, poster board or any surface that accepts temperas. After dipping the paint brush into clean water, users stir paint brush on top of tempera cake to liquefy and activate pigments before painting. The paint remains usable after drying on cakes, and, after use, clean up is easy with soap and water. The Tempera Paint Cakes come in a set of six non-toxic paints, with an easy-to-use teaching tool, great for mixing and blending, to help children learn about colors.
www.sargentart.com
Crayola Erasable Markers
Crayola Erasable Markers work like markers, but erase like pencils. Each colorfully decorated marker features a built-in eraser that really erases and won't tear paper, so kids can have more fun and less frustration working on school projects. Users can express themselves with confidence as they create high-quality work. The new, fast-drying ink won't smear and erases completely from almost any type of paper. The markers come in six classic colors-red, blue, green, yellow, orange and black.
www.crayola.com
Faber-Castell USA
Faber-Castell USA offers stimulating art and school products for children in grades kindergarten through high school. The company's high-quality crayons, markers and pencils enhance the art experience with bright colors that blend easily. Older students will enjoy drawing, sketching and doing other art projects with products like graphite pencils, soft pastels and oil pastels. The company offers school packs designed for classroom use. www.faber-castellusa.com
Paper Scissors Glue Video Series
This eight-video, VHS series leads students through the creation of 40 different easy-to-do craft projects using everyday materials. The series is firmly rooted in early childhood entertainment principles and helps preschoolers with development and social skills. The program, which has received a five-star rating from a prominent educational foundation, is themed by season or craft. Each video contains five projects ,which students can watch with their teacher, and then have fun recreating.
www.sta-corp.com
ALEX Toys Craft Kits
ALEX makes a variety of toys and art and craft supplies, great for creative, school art projects. In addition to crayons, markers, paints, clay and puzzles, ALEX also produces all-in-one crafts, like the "Go Paint a Kite" Activity Kit, recommended for children five years old and older. Painting designs on kites is an ancient art, and kids have fun designing and painting their own creations. Each kit comes with one kite, 300 feet of flying line, six outdoor paints and two paintbrushes.
www.alextoys.com
Shrinky Dinks (image from ad?)
Shrinky Dinks shrink.however, the creative and personalized items that can be made just seem to grow and grow. Shrinky Dinks for the computer ink jet printer are bright-white shrinkable plastic sheets that have a patented coating applied. Sheets can be run through an ink jet printer with any images contained in the computer. Complete instructions are contained in each Shrinky Dinks Ink Jet Creative Pack, as well as actual photos designed to stimulate creative thought and applications. Most of the ideas shown on the pack are items created using your very own personal photos, such as photo ornaments, jewelry, key chains, zipper pulls, magnets, ID tags and picture frames.
www.shrinkydinks.com
Beka's Double-Sided Easel
Beka's double-sided easels feature two chalkboard, white markerboard or washable magnet board surfaces on sturdy, hard maple stands. Options include red plastic or natural wood paint trays, paper holders, paper cutters and center storage trays. A unique hinge reduces the possibility of pinching, and all models include a locking system that keeps the easel open during use. Beka products are designed for fun and function. Beka makes quality wood items that encourage children's imaginations and enhance creative play. Using select Hard Maple, Beka craftspeople create play theaters, unit blocks, storage carts and a large selection of easels.
www.bekainc.com
Kling Magnetic Paint
Kling Magnetic Paint primer--available in pints, quarts and gallons--lets educators create a magnetic receptive surface on any flat wall. Simply paint on two coats of Magnetic Paint and cover with two topcoats of any color paint, and a wall will look like any other, but will be magnetic receptive. Create magnetic bulletin boards at a fraction of the cost of traditional boards. Posters and artwork can be "hung" with safe non-invasive magnets. Magnetic Paint is safe and water-based and will clean up with soap and water. To hang posters and heavier papers, Kling offers super strong Mighty Mag magnets, flat flexible magnets made especially to work with the Magnetic Paint. www.kling.com
Center Enterprises Since 1973, Center Enterprises, Inc. has been manufacturing quality artistic and education curriculum rubber stamps and stamp pads. The stamp pads are 100% child-safe, non-toxic, acid free, archive-quality and available in dozens of colors. Products available include jumbo washable circular paint/ink pads (approved for direct skin contact), washable, scented, rainbow, metallic, jumbo self-inkers, opaque pigment, 4-in-1, and 6-in-1 styles. Rubber Stamp curriculum categories include mathematics, science, language development, general resource materials, early childhood, individual stamps, teacher resources, incentive stamps, popular children's characters and more. www.centerenterprises.com
Chicken Socks Activity Books by Klutz
Chicken Socks Activity Books by Klutz offer fun and educational art and learning experiences for young children. Extensive research was conducted to understand the needs of non-readers and those just learning to read, along with what skill levels were appropriate and what materials appealed to young children. Fourteen titles, like "Hand Art," providing new and create ways to create art with children's handprints, appeal to teachers and young children. Other titles, like "How to Make Pompom Animals," and "Shadow Games," are great for classroom use. www.klutz.com
Perler Beads
The Perler Bead products are fun and creative learning tools, great for classroom settings for ages five and older. The beads are made with a unique formula that allows them to 'fuse' when heated with an ordinary iron. Children place the beads using patterns or creating their own designs on special reusable pegboards and then, with the aid of an adult and an iron, fuse the beads into the created shape. Perler bead activities help develop hand/eye coordination, color and shape recognition, fine motor skills, and imagination. And, best of all, they will keep children creatively occupied for hours. The Classroom Kit I includes 10,000 beads, 12 geometric shaped pegboards, an Idea Books with 400 design ideas, information/instruction sheet and three sheets of ironing paper. This kit makes about 50 projects.
www.perlerbeads.com
Daler-Rowney System 3 Acrylics
Daler-Rowney System 3 Acrylics are ideal for art, craft and design projects in schools. They are also ideal for the amateur painter using color in large quantities. A range of 48 colors are available in wide neck stackable bottles (250ml, 500ml) with screw top and flip up lid. For the fine artists, all System 3 colors are available in 75ml tubes. Only high-quality pigments are used in the manufacture of System 3 Acrylics, making for greater loading. www.daler-rowney.com
Inkadinkado
Inkadinkado washable ink pads are good choices for children's creative arts and crafts projects. The non-toxic inks are ideal for child-safe stamping. The FDA-approved ingredients allow for easy clean-up of hands and most fabrics. The raised felt pad and removable lid make it convenient to ink a stamp of any size. The inks also are quick-drying and non-smearing for great impressions every time. The ink pads are available in seven basic colors, plus three rainbow sets with three colors each.
www.inkadinkado.com
