ROWE PHOTOGRAPHIC LABORATORY
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

  1.  HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS

    Photographic processing requires the use of hazardous chemicals.  If swallowed it could be fatal.

  1. Skin: Do not allow the photographic chemistry to remain in contact with your skin for extended periods of time.  Flush skin surface with water when contaminated with photographic chemistry.

  1. Eyes: Do not allow photographic chemistry to get into your eyes.  If it does Flush with water immediately and seek medical attention.  If you wear contact lenses remove immediately flush eyes with water and clean lenses thoroughly before returning to your eyes. 

  1. Heat Hazards: The photographic print dryers, tacking irons and dry mounting press are all three potential sources of burns to the skin. Be careful  not to touch the heated surfaces. If a heat burn does occur immediately run cold water on the burn and seek medical attention.

  1. HAZARDOUS EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

    Print Cutters, Mat Knives andGlass are sharp-edged objects that should be used with precaution; if an injury occurs seek medical attention immediately

  1. HAZARDOUS FUMES

    Several of the chemicals used in the photographic processes give off caustic fumes.  Inhalation of such fumes in concentrated form and over a prolonged period of time may result in damage to the lungs.  The photographic laboratory in Rowe building where these chemicals are used is equipped with a ventilation fan.  Make sure the fan is in operation when  chemistry is in use.  If inhalation of strong fumes occurs get out of the area to a place with clean air and breath normally for five to ten minutes to clear out your respiratory system.  If irritations persists seek medical attention.

  1. PREVENTATIVE SAFETY MEASURES

  1. GOGGLES AND/OR GLASSES MUST BE WORN TO PROTECT THE EYES FROM SPLASHES.

  1. RUBBER GLOVES AND THE USE OF PRINT TONGS DURING THE PRINTING PROCESSES MUST BE USED TO PROTECT THE HANDS FROM CONTACT WITH CHEMISTRY.

  1. THE VENTILATION FAN MUST BE IN WHEN OPERATION  CHEMISTRY IS BEING USED IN THE LAB.

       SAFETY TIPS

  1. Nature of Material

  1. Determine all of the components of the materials that will be used (particularly if it’s something that is used frequently or for long periods of time.

  2.  Determine the toxicity of these components.

  3. If it is hazardous, use it sparingly as possible and use it in a form that is least capable of getting into the body (i.e. in liquid form instead of as an aerosol; in solid form rather than as a dust or powder).

  1.  HYGIENE IN THE WORKPLACE

  1. Storage

  1. Store all liquid materials in sealed containers (particularly volatile solvents).

  1. Brushes soaking in an undisclosed container of solvent can cause problems.

  1. Powders should also be covered (particularly fine sand, powdered clay, diatomaceous earth, talc and kaolin).  Asbestos should not be used nor stored in the workplace.  A small amount of asbestos dust may contain billions of particles.

  1. Personal Hygiene

  1. Hands should be washed thoroughly after using solvents, metals, or other toxic substances.  If lead, cadmium mercury, cobalt or other similar materials are used, finger nails need to be cleaned and trim at the end of the day in order to avoid a fatal injury.  Remember that lead the size of a B-B pellet can kill a child if ingested.

  1. Do not eat food in the work area or expose food in the work area.

  1. Cigarette smoking while working should not be permitted. Cases of Teflon powder bronchitis from inhalation via cigarette contamination have been reported.

  1. Clothes worn at work ( smocks, pants etc.,) should be removed on leaving the workshop.  Such clothing should be washed frequently.

  1. Paper should be laid out on work tables and gathered together at the end of the day.

  1. Dust should not be allowed to accumulate.  Damp mop or vacuum after dampening down.  Do not use a broom it increases airborne dust.

  1. Protective Devices

  1. Safety goggles must be worn when grinding, machine sanding, and welding.

  1. Gloves and long sleeved clothing should be worn when using solvents like benzene or paint stripping solutions.

  1. Masks must be worn when working with powders, dusts, aerosols and fumes.  Many types are available and the type used depends on the size of particles and the toxicity of the material.  The National Safety Council in Chicago has a listing of types of masks and when to use them.

  1. Ventilation

Adequate ventilation is critical in every workplace.  Many hobbyists work in confined spaces. Photography is a particular offender since the sealing out of light often seals out the only source of outside ventilation.

Kilns are also frequently not vented.  These kilns (even the electric ones) may give off sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide, plus vapors from glazes, which may be very toxic.  Five times as much lead gets into the blood from the lungs as from the intestinal tract.

Vapors from plastics, epoxies, polyurethanes,  phenols as well as vapors from acids can cause serious chemical bronchitis. Stripping, staining, and varnishing furniture is another potential problem area.

For all of the above kinds of materials more than an open window is required.  Exhaust fans are needed.  A simple system can be set up using a range type exhaust or an inverted “U” shaped wood frame with an exhaust fan.  These should be vented to the outside.  Plastic ducts (like those for venting clothes dryers) are available for this.

  1. Temperature and Humidity

Optimum temperature is from 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit.  When using solvents or other volatile materials, the cooler the temperature the better.  The photographic hobbyist, using a closet which is warm and unventilated, may be unduly exposed.  Developers and fixatives under these circumstances can be hazardous.

Optimum humidity is 40%- and difficult to achieve.  A table top cold steam humidifier will at least help to keep dust down.

Photographic Lab Wastes

  1. Maintain separate waste containers for each type of waste produced:

  1. Developers

  2. Stop baths

  3. Fixers

  1. Do not mix wastes
    (Mixing stop baths with fixers can produce excessive quantities of sulfur dioxide gas.)

  1. Retain waste in the photo lab in closed, labeled containers (preferably 5 gallon size) until full. Call the University Safety Office (4291) for waste pick-up

  1. As a general rule, no chemical should be put down the drain or sanitary sewer. Contact the Safety Office before disposing of any chemical.

  1. Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for health and safety precautions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE ART INSTITUTE SCHOOL NURSE AND GREAT LAKES CENTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (OSHA) AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.