Arts Barn Use Policy

Absolutely no food, beverages, or smoking will be tolerated in the individual studio spaces or in any area where chemicals are being used.

Studio Spaces

A studio space in the arts barn is a privilege, not a right. If you are not working regularly, you will lose your space. Greg Kline makes studio space allocation decisions in consultation with the arts barn faculty.

Before moving out of your space:

All temporary shelving, furniture, etc. should be removed.
Floors should be scraped free of paint residue and swept.
Walls should be repainted flat white, using stain killer when necessary.
Failure to follow these procedures will result in fines, withheld evaluations and, if applicable, the loss of subsequent studio privileges.

Safety Information

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that you understand the hazards of the materials that you are using and to establish requirements for the proper handling and disposal of these materials. You must work and behave in a manner that will protect you and others from the potential harmful effects of your chemicals and work processes so that the arts barn is a safe environment for ALL.

All students using the arts barn are required to read The Safety Guide for Art Studios by Thomas Ouimet.
This guide can be found on the Hampshire College environmental health and safety website under art safety.
Hard copies will be provided upon request to Greg Kline.

Material Handling, Storage, and Work Practices

All containers must be tightly closed and properly stored, (i.e. flammable or combustible products must be in a yellow flammable storage cabinet), when not in use.
When you are transferring chemicals to a secondary (non-original) container, you must label it with the product name and hazard(s) of the contents, unless you have transferred the product only for your immediate use, (i.e. you are certain it will be emptied before you finish working).
If you are leaving the product unattended, it must be clearly labeled, tightly closed, and stored properly.
If you are giving the product to someone else to use, it must be clearly labeled. The individual who has the chemical in his/her possession is responsible for properly closing and storing the product.
In addition, containers stored in common areas, lockers, and common flammable storage cabinets must be labeled with your name and the date you brought the product to the arts barn. Students keeping products in their individual studios do not have to write their names.
Outdated or unlabeled products found in common areas will be disposed of.
You are responsible for making labels for your products when you transfer them from their original containers.
All containers must be leak-proof and in good condition.
Mugs, open-top containers, disposable cups, dishes from the dining commons, etc. are not acceptable containers and are not allowed.
Flammable or combustible products must be stored in a yellow flammable storage cabinet.
All containers in lockers must be labeled as described previously. Absolutely no flammable or combustible chemicals are allowed in lockers.
If you have flammable, open and/or unlabeled items in your locker, your lock will be cut off and the product(s) will be removed and properly disposed of.
Splash goggles are required for projects when there is a risk of splashing. Safety glasses are required when there is risk of flying particles and/or when work is dusty.
Students using paint and solvents should wear gloves if skin contact is anticipated.
Gloves are available in the sink area. They are for use only in the arts barn for their intended purpose. Notify art faculty/staff if supplies are needed.
To minimize exposure, wash any paint and solvent from exposed skin as soon as possible.
Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water when you are finished working and before eating, drinking, or smoking.
To minimize waste, only apply as much paint to your palette as you expect to use in your work session.
Minimize the amount of solvent you use.
If you must use a large amount of solvent, work outside or in the classroom near the wall vent. Work with your palette and painting nearest the vent.
All spray-paint, fixative, lacquer thinner, and other noxious materials must be used outside. At no time can these materials be used in the arts barn or in entryways.

Paint Brush Cleaning

First, rinse excess paint from brushes in your solvent container and then wipe them with a rag.
Second, rinse brushes in the safety-kleen parts washer located in the sink area.
When there is no evidence of paint or solvent on your brushes, the final rinse may be done in the sink.
Absolutely no paints or solvents may be dumped into the sink or the safety-kleen unit.

Paint/Solvent/Hazardous Waste Disposal

All hazardous waste must be brought to the hazardous waste station located by the sinks. All containers are labeled in compliance with hazardous waste regulations. Take care to ensure that you are separating wastes properly.

Hazardous waste drums, buckets, and other containers must be closed at all times, except when waste is being added.
Rags and paper towels soaked with linseed oil, wet or dried paint, and/or solvents must be disposed of in the "flammable solids" drum.
Waste paint that is solid, such as globs of unwanted paint from your palette, can be scraped into the "flammable solids" drum. Tubes of paint that are dried out or that you no longer want can also be put into the "flammable solids" drum.
Do not dispose of anything other than hazardous waste rags/paper towels and solid paint waste into the "flammable solids drum."
For paint tubes that are completely empty and paper towels without hazardous waste, use the trash can.
Empty spray paint and other aerosol cans must be put in the designated outdoor receptacle near the graffiti wall. Do not throw any spray paint cans into the trash.
Solvent, mineral spirits, linseed oil, and liquid paints must be poured into the "flammable liquids" drum.

Sculpture Students

Use of the sculpture studio and equipment is available to studio art concentrators who have completed the course sculpture foundation; passed the tool test; and signed the sculpture studio waiver form. A per semester usage fee of $20.00 will be required for students who meet the above criteria, but are not enrolled in a current sculpture course. Please refer to the sculpture studio waiver form for additional details. A current waiver form must be on file in Greg Kline's office.

Proper use of lung, eye, and ear protection is required at all times when using hazardous equipment and processes.
Students who do not clean up after using the sculpture studio will lose access privileges.
Care should be taken to prevent excess dust from clay, plaster, concrete, and other particulate materials from contaminating the studio environment.
Use ceiling vents when performing dusty operations.
Wear a mask approved by NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) for the operation you are performing.
Work outdoors, whenever possible, when doing especially dusty tasks.
Clay, plaster, concrete or other similar materials must never be washed down the sinks. Use a bucket of water for rinsing, pour off clear water after settling, and then place solid non-toxic matter in the trash.

Saw

Only authorized individuals will be allowed to use the saw. Greg Kline and/or other arts barn faculty and staff members will determine who can use the saw.

The saw is never to be used when you are alone.
Supervision is required at all times when operating the saw.

SDS

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations require that safety data sheets (SDS) must be readily available for all hazardous materials.

SDS sheets are online. Log in through The Hub.
Check all of your products to make sure that they are in the Hampshire SDS inventory.
Notify environmental health and safety of all new products that need to be added to the inventory.
In the event that the arts barn faculty/staff determine that the product is too hazardous or otherwise unacceptable for arts barn use, the product will be confiscated or the individual will be notified and have 24 hours to remove the material from campus.
Remember, hazardous materials are not permitted in residential areas.

Found Objects

Found objects containing hazardous materials should not be brought into the arts barn. These include discarded electronics with PCBs, lead, etc. Other examples are refrigerators and other appliances with freon, automotive parts with oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, etc.
Proper recycling or disposal of found materials should be followed in all cases.
Contact environmental health and safety with questions (ext. 6620).

Housekeeping

You are responsible for proper housekeeping in your assigned space as well as the common areas that you use.

Excessive paper and other combustible materials must not accumulate on the floor.
Clean up spills immediately.
Keep work areas clean and uncluttered and do not block exits or paths to exits.
The eyewash, emergency shower, fire extinguishers, and paths leading to them must be unobstructed.
Storage of items in hallways or entryways is not permitted at any time. Items found in these areas will be moved and College faculty/staff will not be responsible for damage to your work or other items.
Clean up areas each day at the end of your work session.

Working Alone

In the event that a monitor is not present, campus safety and security must be notified prior to working alone in the arts barn. Further, permission must be granted by Greg Kline or another arts barn faculty or staff member prior to any individual working alone in the arts barn.

Non Compliance and Consequences

Because of the serious fire, health, and safety risks to you, other students, and faculty and staff resulting from non-compliance with any of these procedures, and because of the enormous fines that may be levied against Hampshire College by regulatory agencies for violations, students who do not follow these procedures could lose their right to an individual studio space, and/or their right to work in the arts barn.

Routine and comprehensive safety inspections will take place.
Disciplinary action, fines, loss of studio space, loss of arts barn privileges, and sending notification to your Division III faculty/staff are possible consequences for serious and/or repeat violations of the arts barn use policy and/or college rules.

Thank you in advance for making the art barn a safe work environment.