Health and Safety in Art studio



Health and safety today is very important in any workplace. However, according to( The National Archives, 2018) as a law in UK it was introduced only back in 1830`s fallowing rise of industrial development when British Government had announced /Factories Act 1833/ which prevent children working in the mills.


Over the next centuries this act would evolve and develop more further to include workshops and similar workplace environments, constantly seeking to improve the conditions of workers and initial labour laws.


Early laws and regulations did not apply so much to artists as it is now, when most artists must be aware of the materials that they use and processes that they undertake can carry health and safety risks. 


Majority of artists always been self-employed individuals, so it was always a duty to ensure that their working environment are suitable and safe.


As this blog requires for me to tie any legislation issues with my success story I’m facing a dilemma in most of cases as Leonardo da Vinci lived in Renaissance Italy - nearly 600 years ago so really there is no much guidelines can be applied or compered with that time.


Renaissance Italy was mainly concentrating people’s interests in experimental investigations, in the field of dissection and body examination, seeking the knowledge of human anatomy. (Journals.uchicago.edu, 2018) Not sure how much safety rules were applied on any wok carried out.
I can only believe that Leonardo use common sense, regarding his experiments and studio work.
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Today however there is rules to be fallowed and not only when artists work with others even in private studio as it is a workspace no matter if it is a purpose-built facility, rented space or an extension to their home. The nature of artistic practice is such that artists use a very eclectic mix of materials in their day-to day work. They also undertake a wide range of physical activities and processes in producing work. Both materials used and production activities can be detrimental to an artist’s health and safety, quality of life and career.

Apart from it being the law, it is in the interest of artists to protect their own health and safety as well as ensuring that studios and work environments are safe for visitors, family or clients. 

Nowdays there are many Health and Safety publications and guides, which provide information and advice on the various hazards associated with different occupations. 

However, based on there are no guidelines which cover artist’s studio-work specifically, so it is up to you to assess your studio, work methods and materials; identify the risks associated in each case and implement measures to reduce or eliminate them.
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The Legislation 
 
 If you are self-employed – as most artists are – you are legally bound to provide a safe working environment. 
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The Safety Statement
 
 The legislation demands that you as a self-employed individual manage health and safety in your work place, making sure the protective and preventive measures taken to secure the safety, health and welfare of the people who work at or visit your workplace. 
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Risk Assessment

 A risk assessment identifies the hazards in your workplace and evaluates the risks posed by these hazards. To fully comprehend the language of the legislation and to be able to draw up a risk assessment, it is helpful to understand the common terms used throughout – hazard, harm and risk.(Hse.gov.uk, 2018)
  • A Hazard can be defined as anything that has the potential to cause physical injury or damage to health, the environment or to property.
  • Harm is the adverse effect on an individual that may result from exposure to a hazard
  • A Risk is a measure of the probability of harm being caused and the severity of that harm.
Carrying Out a Risk Assessment


  • Analyse your studio or workplace. This may involve listing all the activities carried out in your studio, drawing up a diagram of your space and mapping the location of equipment such as computers, sinks, radiators, shelving, kilns etc
  • Identify the hazards associated with your work activities. For example, electrical hazards associated with exposed cables which may cause tripping or falling, chemical hazards associated with toxic materials, hazards that are associated with stone work – dust inhalation for example.
  •  Rate the risk level associated with each hazard. To do this you need to evaluate the likelihood that injury might occur and the extent or severity of the injury. This assessment of risk is a question of judgement – you yourself must form an opinion. If you are unsure of the risk associated with a piece of equipment or chemical; it is up to you to find out by contacting the manufacturer or reading the label or safety manual.
  •  Evaluate the ‘controls’ that you may already have in place to make hazards less hazardous. Controls are essentially precautions that you put in place to eliminate or reduce the risks. A control may take the form of signage near a leaking sink that warns of a slippery surface, warning labels on chemicals.


 Once Risk Assessment been carried out of your studio or workplace you must then decide what efforts you will take to ensure that the risks you have identified are reduced or eliminated.



Research based links:
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Hse.gov.uk. (2018). HSE Books - Health and safety guidance (HSG) publications. [online] Available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/index-hsg-ref.htm [Accessed 11 Feb. 2018].

Journals.uchicago.edu. (2018). Introduction | I Tatti Studies in the Italian Renaissance: Vol 19, No 1. [online] Available at: https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1086/685714 [Accessed 11 Feb. 2018].

The National Archives. (2018). 1833 Factory Act - The National Archives. [online] Available at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/1833-factory-act/ [Accessed 11 Feb. 2018].

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