EduSafe @ Curtin
Print this DocumentPrint this document  |  Close Window

EduSafe Policies and Procedures @ Curtin

POLICY APPLICABLE TO KILNS, OVENS AND HEATING DEVICES UTILISING CERAMIC FIBRE INSULATION

Recent research and medical evidence into the effects on human health following exposure to synthetic mineral fibres indicate the possibility of ceramic fibres being carcinogenic and the possibility of ceramic fibres causing mesothelioma. It is the policy of Curtin that no staff, student or other person be placed at risk or exposed to airborne fibres at a concentration where there could be any adverse effect on health or safety, therefore t he following procedures must be complied with.

  1. Each member of staff employed in the ceramics or pottery area shall be provided with a copy of this policy by the senior staff member of that section, including with a copy of the brochure Synthetic Mineral Fibres published by DOHSWA, and extracts from Worksafe Australia: National Code of Practice for Synthetic Mineral Fibres dated May 1990, to ensure they are aware of the potential health hazards if safe working practices are not adopted.
  2. It is the responsibility of each member of teaching staff to ensure adequate instruction and information is imparted to every student to ensure they are made fully aware of the requirements for safe working practices when working with thermal insulation comprising ceramic fibre. This includes kiln insulating materials as well as personal practice items such as Kai wool gloves, etc.
  3. Every Kiln owned or operated by Curtin which has exposed ceramic fibre insulating material shall have the outer surface of this insulation sealed as follows:
    • Wall and door surfaces shall be treated with a solution of ZIRCOAT or an equivalent approved binding material to prevent the release of respirable fibres during loading or unloading of the kiln.
    • Door sealing edge surfaces and mating faces of ceramic fibre shall be treated with RIGIDER (or an equivalent approved sealing and bonding material) to encapsulate all fibre surfaces.
    • An appropriate dye shall be added to these treatment solutions to more readily identify treated and or damaged surfaces.
  4. At any time when damage has occurred to the door sealing faces, or to the interior wall surfaces where the surface treatment shows damage, staff or students involved in loading or unloading that kiln must use personal protective equipment in the form of a class L or class M half face respirator until re-treatment has been effected. (It is the Head of School’s responsibility to ensure that re-treatment is carried out as soon as possible).
  5. Kilns with surface damage to sealed ceramic fibre insulating material shall be withdrawn from service until appropriate maintenance has been effected, other than to allow firing of a kiln damaged during that loading operation.
  6. Due care shall be exercised to avoid any brushing of the ceramic fibre surfaces with clothing (or items to be fibred) and to avoid any scraping or abrading of the surface material.

    Should personal clothing inadvertently come in contact with unsealed or damaged surfaces or ceramic fibre then care must be exercised to ensure fibres are not transferred into adjoining areas of private homes on the clothing. Any item of clothing so contaminated must be washed separately from any other personal clothing.
  7. With respect to other personal protective items care must be exercised to avoid releasing respirable fibres including the use of KAOWOOL gloves. If a suitable alternative is not readily available, these must be handled subsequent to fitting a class L or class M half face respirator and removed prior to removal of the respirator.

    KAOWOOL gloves must not be shaken together or treated in any manner likely to cause the release of respirable fibres.
  8. Care must be exercised to ensure half face respirators (or other items of personal protective equipment) are appropriately stored (eg in a sealed plastic bag or container) and kept separate from contamination.
  9. Personal hygiene must be observed such as hand and face washing subsequent to utilisation of thermal insulating gloves to ensure no fibres are transferred to other areas.
  10. No food or drink is permitted to be taken into or consumed in studio or workshop areas. Smoking is banned in these areas.
  11. Hand washing is essential before handling food or drink, smoking or utilising toilet facilities, after leaving studio or workshop areas.
  12. When cleaning the interior surfaces of a kiln utilising ceramic fibre insulation, dry sweeping is not permitted. Acceptable methods are wiping with a damp cloth or sponge or vacuuming with an industrial vacuum cleaner which must be fitted with a disposable paper filter bag.
  13. Safe work practices for Bonded and Unbonded Ceramic Fibre Material and Removal of Ceramic Fibre Material shall be performed in accordance with Schedule 2 (Schedule for Working with Ceramic Fibres) of the National Standard and National Code of Practice for Synthetic Mineral Fibres. (see attachments)

REVISION HISTORY

Approved - C 189/93 (28/7/93) – Appendix 1 to Council minutes.
j:\Policies\Old Format\Policy on Kilns, Ovens & Heating Devices\Current Version\1993 – Policy on Kilns, Ovens & Heating Devices Utilising Ceramic Fibre Insulation – 28 July 1993

 

 

Print this DocumentPrint this document  |  Close Window