Art Safety Guidelines and Policies

1. Building and Personal Security

A student work-study must be present while working in the Department of Art and Design Building during evening and weekend hours. Student work-study hours are posted each semester.

Students should not let anyone unfamiliar into the building after hours, and should never prop exterior doors open.

The Department of Art and Design is not responsible for any personal items that are lost or stolen. Contact your instructor of note for locker use.

A Lamar University safety officer is available to escort you to your vehicle or dorm room after hours. Please phone non-emergency police dispatch at 409-880-8307 to request this service.

Phone Lamar University Police if you see any suspicious behavior at 409-880-8307.

2. General Studio Safety

Each classroom and studio have specific rules for personal health and safety and will be addressed by the instructor of note at the beginning of each semester.

Stairwells, aisles, exits, and access to emergency equipment must be kept clear of personal items at all times. Doorways should not be blocked in any way. Students are responsible for general cleanup in classroom and studio areas after each facility usage.

Proper apparel must be worn while working in studios with tools and or machinery. This includes closed-toe shoes and safety glasses. No loose clothing, long necklaces, scarves, or other such items are allowed. Long hair must also be tied back securely. Specific areas may have additional safety requirements.

Any student using the wood studio, metal studio, or foundry must receive proper training before using any equipment and always follow proper procedures. Students using tools in these studios must do so under supervision of a faculty member, department lab technician or student monitor. Students have access to these facilities during normal business hours (M-F, 8-5) and when department student monitors are present. Contact your instructor of note with specific questions.

All students are expected to follow specific handling instructions for flammable materials including specific storage requirements. Flammable materials such as mineral spirits may not be stored in lockers.

Lockers must be emptied out at the end of each semester by the end of the final examination period. Locks will be cut and contents removed at the end of each school year. The Department of Art and Design is not responsible for any items left behind in lockers. Contact your instructor of note with specific questions.

View the Department of Art and Design Foundry Policies and Procedures (PDF).

3. Students Working with Hazardous Materials

A hazardous material is defined as: a fluid, liquid, slurry, paste, powder, particulate or any substance that may pose a physical hazard or health risk for a proposed application, or is potentially damaging to the environment. Various paints, inks, solvents, chemicals, and glues are a few examples of hazardous materials you may encounter with your coursework in the Department of Art and Design. Students with specific allergies or health concerns are strongly encouraged to contact The Disability Resource Center (DRC). The DRC office is located in the Communication Building, RM 105. Students also may write to P.O. Box 10087, Beaumont, Texas 77710, e-mail DRC@lamar.edu or phone 409-880-8347.

Each studio has an SDS (Safety Data Sheet) binder containing material and hazard information. The Safety Data Sheets describe product toxicity levels, hazardous properties, and contact information in case of spill or misuse. Your instructor of note will inform you regarding safety concerns for all materials used in that course at the beginning of each semester.

A complete list of SDS forms for all materials used in the Department of Art and Design are maintained in the department office. Contact Audra LaCour, alacour@lamar.edu, 409-880-8949 for more information.

Your instructor of note will inform you with specific safety equipment needed for your course. Please contact your instructor if using additional materials that are not required for your course, as there may be safety concerns for you and your classmates.

3.1 Hazardous Material Storage

When not in use, all flammable and hazardous items must be stored in designated cabinets appropriate for those materials. Your instructor of note will inform you regarding safe material storage at the beginning of each semester.

3.2 Universal Container Rule

All solvents, painting mediums, paints, inks, or any other materials (hazardous or non-hazardous) must be stored in one of the following ways:

1. In the original manufacturer’s container as purchased if it has not been damaged and still seals securely.
2. In any approved container other than the original manufacturer’s container as purchased (also called a secondary container) that meets Department of Art and Design standards. Containers must be fitted with a secure lid, be appropriate to the type of material being stored, and properly labeled. Your instructor of note will inform you with specific labeling instructions at the beginning of each semester.

3.3 Hazardous Material Disposal

Rooms AT101 and AT212, have Yellow Flammable Cabinets which safely hold hazardous materials for storage and disposal. Label all waste and non-waste materials. No items should block access to the yellow lockers. Contact the Department of Art and Design lab technician for assistance with all chemical spills.

Red Flammable Waste Bins are for all hazardous/flammable solid waste, including all paint or ink-contaminated rags, paper towels, paper, palettes, gloves, oil sludge, or similar items. The lid should always be securely closed when not in use.

Absolutely no hazardous materials are to be disposed of in sinks. This includes: oil-based paints, solvents, inks, dyes, photographic fixer, acids, or other similar materials. Your instructor of note will inform you with specific instructions for the safe disposal of materials used at the beginning of the semester.

Department of Art and Design students are required to familiarize themselves and comply with the above safety guidelines and policies.