As a service to art teachers and parents, we offer this information on maintaining a safe and hazard-free learning environment for kids while engaged in art activities.

This material was originally written by Allison Jerard, a former art education student at the University of Florida.

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 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 there 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 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? School?

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

  1. Eating and drinking while working.
  2. Improper ventilation.
  3. Forgetting to wash hands after working.
  4. Not knowing current safety procedures such as first aid.
  5. Failure to wipe up spills immediately.

20 Things Art Teachers Can do To Make Their Classrooms Hazard-Free

  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, and so on).
  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.
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