Studio Safety Starter Checklist

How to use this checklist

Walk your studio with this checklist before your first firing, when setting up a new home studio, and quarterly after that.
Check off each item you can honestly confirm. Unchecked items become your safety to-do list — tackle the highest-risk ones first: dust control, kiln ventilation, and fire safety.
Date each walkthrough and keep completed copies. They document your due diligence and show insurers, landlords, or inspectors that safety is a habit, not an afterthought.

Your progress

0 of 36 checked

1. Silica Dust & Air Quality

I use wet methods (sponge, wet mop, wet wiping) for all cleanup — I never dry sweep or blow dust around with compressed air. Dry clay, glaze powders, and plaster are mixed in a designated area, with dust kept down (adding water first, pouring slowly). I use a HEPA-filtered vacuum for dust pickup — never a standard shop vacuum that blows fine particles back into the air. Surfaces are wiped down regularly and floors are mopped wet, not swept dry. I wear a NIOSH-approved respirator (N95 minimum for light dust; P100 half-face for mixing dry materials) for dusty tasks. Food and drinks stay out of dusty work areas, and I wash my hands and face after working with dry materials.

2. Kiln Safety

The kiln sits on a non-combustible surface with the manufacturer's recommended clearance from walls and anything combustible. Kiln fumes are vented — a kiln vent hood or powered exhaust moves fumes outdoors, and the room is not sealed up during firing. Firing schedules are monitored — I check the kiln periodically during a firing rather than leaving it entirely unattended. I wear heat-protective gear (high-temperature gloves, eye protection) when peeping into or unloading a warm kiln. The kiln is unplugged or its breaker is switched off when not in use, and cords show no cracks, fraying, or heat damage. Nothing flammable is stored on or above the kiln, and the area around it is kept clear.

3. Glaze & Chemical Safety

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are on hand for every glaze, underglaze, and raw chemical I use — and I can put my hands on them in under a minute. Every container is labeled with its contents; mystery buckets get relabeled or discarded. I know which of my glazes are food-safe and which are not; materials containing lead or cadmium are identified and handled with extra care (or avoided). Glazes are mixed in a ventilated area while wearing a respirator; I avoid eating, drinking, or touching my face while handling raw materials. Chemicals are stored in sealed, labeled containers, out of reach of children and pets, and away from heat sources.

4. Ventilation

The studio has general ventilation — fresh air comes in and stale air goes out (windows on opposite sides, an exhaust fan, or HVAC air exchange). Dusty or fume-producing tasks (mixing, spraying, kiln firing) get local exhaust — a vent hood, kiln vent, or spray booth exhausting outdoors. Ventilation equipment is checked and cleaned on a schedule (fan blades, ductwork, filters).

5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

I own a properly fitting respirator and do a user seal check every time I put it on — nothing (including facial hair) breaks the seal. Chemical-resistant gloves are used for mixing glazes and handling raw chemicals; heat-rated gloves for kiln work. Safety glasses or goggles are worn for grinding, drilling, mixing dry materials, and any splash risk. An apron and closed-toe shoes are standard studio wear.

6. Ergonomics

My wheel height lets me throw with a neutral spine — no hunching or over-reaching. Wedging happens at counter height, driving with body weight behind the motion rather than bent wrists. I take regular breaks to stand, stretch, and rest my hands and back — especially during long throwing sessions. Heavy bags of clay are lifted with bent knees and a straight back, and stored at waist height where possible.

7. Fire & Electrical

A fire extinguisher is mounted within easy reach, inspected annually, and I know how to use it (PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep). A Class ABC extinguisher covers kiln and electrical fires. The kiln is on a dedicated circuit sized for its amperage; breakers are labeled and accessible. Combustibles (paper, cardboard, solvents, fabric) are kept well away from the kiln and other heat sources. Extension cords are heavy-duty and temporary only — never run under rugs or across walkways.

8. Emergency Preparedness

A stocked first aid kit is accessible, and everyone who uses the studio knows where it is. Emergency numbers (poison control, fire department, an emergency contact) are posted visibly in the studio. A spill kit (absorbent material, gloves, bags, dustpan) is ready for glaze or chemical spills. Someone knows when I am firing or working alone — I have a check-in routine for solo studio time.

What's next

Count your checks. Every unchecked box is a to-do item — start with dust control, kiln ventilation, and fire safety, the three areas that protect you most. Revisit this checklist quarterly and before any new process (a new kiln, new glazes, a new studio space).

For a deeper, room-by-room safety review, take the Pottery Studio Safety Assessment.