Visual and Performing Arts – Safety

3. Controlling the risks and developing safe work procedures

Once the level of risk associated with a task or activity has been assessed and understood, controls must be put into place to eliminate or reduce the level of risk, so far as reasonably practicable. If a risk cannot be eliminated, then a mix of controls should be used to achieve the best possible risk reduction.

Schools should consider the development of a Safe Work Procedure (DOCX) (SWP) for complex tasks or activities that have a level of risk that is high or extreme. SWPs can be used to document the steps undertaken to ensure tasks or activities are carried out safely and effectively. It outlines the correct way to use equipment, perform tasks, and handle materials to minimise risks and prevent injury. Examples of controls that can be included are listed in the section below.

Schools must also maintain their OHS risk register (XLSX) which lists all health, safety and wellbeing hazards that are relevant to the school. The principal or their delegate must ensure controls used to reduce the level of risk of incident or injury when undertaking visual and performing arts activities are included in the schools OHS risk register.

Developing a Safe Work Procedure (SWP)

Staff can use the information from the completed risk assessment in addition to, if relevant, any manufacturer's instructions or guide for equipment to develop a SWP.

SWPs should be circulated and communicated to all relevant staff, contractors and volunteers once completed to ensure staff are aware of key safety information. SWPs can be circulated informally or tabled during health and safety committee meetings or other staff forums. For quick reference, SWPs are best stored or displayed close to where the task or activity is undertaken. SWPs may also be stored together electronically to form a procedure manual for visual and performing arts activities. This can be referred to when inducting new staff members, so they are familiar with common work practices.

Schools can request hands-on services to support with developing safe work procedures from the Statewide OHS Services Team and OHS Advisory Service

Schools must identify and implement controls specific to their equipment, environment and expertise when writing SWPs. Examples of pre-populated template SWPs for common hazards or tasks associated with visual and performing arts can be found in the Resources tab. Schools are encouraged to consider the following controls when developing SWPs for visual and performing arts activities.

Dance, drama and theatre

• Ensure studios and classrooms are well ventilated to prevent heat stress and muscle strain.
• Incorporate time for warm up or cool down for students before and after intense physical activity.
• Where possible, schedule classes in spaces with appropriate flooring to reduce the impact to dancers and gymnasts.
• Schedule extra staff to supervise and help if acrobatic or gymnastic moves are being trained.
• Ensure students wear footwear appropriate to the activity being undertaken
• Maintain good housekeeping so floors are cleaned and free of slipping hazards.
• Utilise professional resources such as those available from Ausdance, DramaVic and other peak bodies.
• Secure and store any props safely.
• Use racking or shelves that are weight-rated and do not overstock them
• Use weight-rated safety chains on lighting fixtures.
• Reduce risk of allergic reactions by using hypoallergenic theatre make-up and similar material used for effects or props i.e. feathers or fake snow.
• Train any staff working two metres or above as per the Prevention of Falls When Working at Heights policy, including completing the competency based work safely at heights training course and providing a safe work method statement (SWMS) for sign-off by the principal or delegate.
• Engage qualified personnel to inspect rigging on an annual basis.
• Engage a trained and qualified rigger when needed or train a member of staff to undertake rigging work.

Please note - complex tasks such as hanging lights and using rigging or counterweight fly systems must have a stand-alone SWP. The Statewide OHS Services Team and OHS Advisory Service can be contacted for support for the development of SWPs.

Spaces used for dance, drama and theatre may be multipurpose. School staff must ensure good housekeeping practices are followed, and equipment should be put away at the end of each session.

Music

• Ensure the area or classroom is well lit, well-ventilated and clean.
• Store musical instruments and other items so they do not cause manual handling or tipping hazards.
• Instruct students who share wind instruments to sanitise them before and after use.
• Use soundproofing and deadening material to reduce noise, for example in drum kits or wall panels
• Minimise the use of amps and speakers to avoid hearing damage.
• Provide and use hearing protection, if required. Refer to Noise Management.

Pottery and ceramics

• Check clays and glazes safety data sheet (SDS) before purchase to ensure only low-silica products are sourced and used.
• Avoid the sanding, grinding or cutting of fired clay items.
• Use particle masks and other PPE, as required by the product SDS.
• Clean floors and surfaces frequently by wet wiping, mopping or using a H or M class vacuum cleaner (avoid sweep or dry dusting).
• Install, use and maintain kilns and ventilation systems as per manufacturer instructions.
• Wear aprons during classes, which are washed or disposed of immediately after use.
• Avoid the use of fans as they can raise or move dust around, increasing inhalation risk.
• Develop and display separate SWPs for room cleaning and use of equipment such as pottery wheels and kilns.

Please note – The mixing of glazes and the handling of dry clay may expose people to crystalline silica dust, which is linked to silicosis – a serious lung disease. In compliance with the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Part 4.5—Crystalline silica) and the criteria referred to in regulation 319J(2) of the OHS Regulations, the department has determined that the crystalline silica processes undertaken as part of pottery ceramics classes across schools in Victoria are not considered to be high-risk crystalline silica work as defined in the OHS Regulations.

There is no risk from clay before it has dried or been fired. Staff and students should use correct damp cleaning techniques, ventilation and appropriate PPE should be used as per the products Safety Data Sheet (SDS). More information regarding finding and understanding SDSs can be found in Chemical Management.

Kilns, pottery wheels and ventilation systems need to be serviced and maintained. Kilns should be serviced at least once a year, or more frequently depending on use. If the last service date of pottery and ceramic equipment is unknown, servicing should be arranged and a schedule maintained. There are several companies throughout Victoria that service and maintain kilns and pottery equipment. Plant and Equipment Management contains more information regarding general plant and equipment management.

Areas around kilns that were fitted out prior to 1990 may contain fire retardant asbestos sheeting. Older kilns may also contain asbestos lining. Please refer to the Asbestos Management policy before undertaking any renovation or decommissioning works in areas that contain or have contained a kiln.

Pencils and paints regarding lead content

• Purchase and use lead free paints and pencils to eliminate exposure to lead and other harmful substances.

Please note - Paint and pencils exceeding 0.1% cannot be imported without a permit. It is unlikely that pencils and paints containing lead are available for schools to purchase.

Epoxy glue

• Primary school students must not use epoxy glues.
• Secondary students must wear gloves and other required PPE such as safety glasses when using epoxy glues
• Use epoxy glues in well-ventilated areas, such as fume cupboards.
• Follow manufacturer guidance on product label or SDS for use and disposal of waste.

Plastics - 3D printing and laser cutters

• Follow the OHS Purchasing policy so that 3D printers or laser cutters are researched before purchase by gather information regarding fume creation and ventilation requirements and using
• Install, operate and maintain 3D printers and laser cutters according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Check the products safety data sheet (SDS) for select polymers, acrylics and filaments before purchasing to ensure that they are not hazardous substances or dangerous goods.
• Use ventilation, filtration kits, fume hoods, or other local exhaust systems to control fumes and ultra fine particles created during the 3D printing or lase cutting process.
• Review student designs for 3D printing or laser cutting to ensure they are not producing weapons or other dangerous products.
• Mount 3D printer or laser cutter on a stable heat-resistant surface.
• Provide nearby access to an appropriate fire extinguisher.
• Dispose of 3D printing and laser cutter waste as per manufacturer’s instructions.
• Provide PPE and ensure it is used as per user manual and products SDSs.

Lead lighting and soldering

• Use lead free solder and came to eliminate exposure to lead.
• Obtain and read came and flux safety data sheets (SDSs) for safe use instructions.
• Use extraction fans, fume hoods and good ventilation such as open windows to extract and dissipate fumes.
• Tidy work area during and after use.
• Provide appropriate supervision for all soldering work.
• Place the soldering iron in soldering iron stand when not in use.
• Complete work on fire-proof or fire-resistant surfaces.
• Maintain adequate space between workstations.
• Ensure a fire extinguisher is available nearby when working with soldering equipment.
• Ensure chemical resistant gloves, long sleeves and safety glasses are worn where required.
• Do not use soldering irons that have obvious damage to body, cable or plug.
• Tie back and fix long hair and loose clothing.
• Wash hands thoroughly after soldering.
• Access is clear to cool flowing water in the event of burns.
• Label and dispose of waste of as per the products SDS.

Photography and darkrooms

• Install adequate ventilation in darkrooms.
• Use, label and store processing chemicals as per the product's SDS.
• Place spent chemicals into an appropriate waste container.
• Label and dispose of chemical waste as per the products SDS.
• Identify and remove trip hazards in low light environments like photographic darkrooms.
• Wear and use chemical resistant gloves, long sleeves and safety glasses and tongs where required.
• Tidy all work areas after use.
• Keep a chemical spill kit in the darkroom or nearby.