Understanding the Importance of Health and Safety in Pottery
Health and safety are essential in pottery because the craft involves materials and processes that can pose serious risks if handled improperly. From working with clay bodies, glazes, and silica-containing dust to using kilns, cutting tools, and chemicals, potters must follow safe practices to protect both makers and customers.
In this blog, we explore why health and safety should be a fundamental part of the pottery industry—not an afterthought—and how technology, training, and practical workplace habits can reduce hazards, improve compliance, and support safer, more sustainable work.
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Pottery Studio Hazards: Clay Dust, Chemicals, Kilns, and Equipment
Clay Dust
When handling powdered clay, exercise extreme caution. Avoid rubbing down pots once the clay has dried; instead, scrape them during the leather-hard stage. If dry clay must be rubbed, wear a suitable filter mask over your mouth and nose to avoid inhaling dust particles.
Dust risks can also be reduced by:
– Thoroughly cleaning work surfaces, walls and floors after use, preferably using a wet method or an industrial vacuum unit that complies with Australian safety standards.
– Cleaning all equipment and utensils after use.
– Choosing wet or damp processes rather than dry ones wherever possible.
– Clearly labelling and securely sealing packages to prevent particles from being disturbed by draughts. Store, open and dispense them in an appropriately ventilated area.
– Always wear a mask when measuring dry ingredients. Clean up any spilled powders using a damp sponge. Do not sweep them into the studio air.
Glazes
Glazes contain silica, which is necessary for glass formation, but they also include other minerals and ingredients that may harm our health if handled incorrectly.
We recommend wearing gloves and an apron or other protective clothing when glazing. Always wash your hands thoroughly afterwards, and do not eat or drink while glazing or near areas where you have glazed. Glazes may contain toxic substances that can be harmful if ingested in sufficient quantities in their dry form, so take precautions.
Never pour glaze residue down the drain. Ideally, collect glaze water in buckets and, once they are full, bring them to the appropriate facility for recycling. Glazes may contain heavy metals and other substances that can damage waterways if they enter the water system.
Chemicals
The following materials require particular care when being handled: barium carbonate, borax, silica, zinc oxide, antimony oxide, chromium oxide, copper carbonate, copper oxide, manganese dioxide, nickel oxide, lead-bearing glazes, and all on-glaze colours.
Silica and Silicosis – The primary health risk for potters is developing silicosis. Silicosis is a “long-term lung disease caused by inhaling large amounts of crystalline silica dust, usually over many years” (NHS). It causes scarring in the lung tissue and currently has no cure. Clay and glazes contain silica. Potters cannot completely avoid this mineral because it is essential to producing both materials. The greatest exposure occurs while working with dry clay and glazes, including sanding, reclaiming, and mixing dry ingredients. However, silica dust can build up throughout the studio simply as clay dries. Although silicosis develops after prolonged exposure, it remains a risk for anyone who works with clay and glazes on a regular basis.
Carbon Monoxide – Carbon monoxide is produced when carbon-based materials burn in an atmosphere with insufficient oxygen. This can occur when gas, wood, or other fuels are used in kilns. Reduction firing generates the highest levels of carbon monoxide. Electric kilns can also produce this gas as organic materials in most clays, and many glaze ingredients burn off, including wax resists, slip-clay stabilisers, lustre tack oils, and other organic additives in clays and glazes.
Chlorine and Fluorine – Kilns emit these gases when firing clay and glaze ingredients containing chlorine or fluorine—such as fluorspar, iron chloride, and cryolite. Both gases are powerful respiratory irritants. Fluorine also causes defects in bones and teeth.
Metal Fumes – Certain metals and metal-containing compounds develop fumes when fired. Because glaze firing involves complex reactions, it is difficult to determine exactly when metals will volatilise and oxidise into fumes. Toxic metals that commonly produce fumes include lead, cadmium, antimony, selenium, copper, chrome, and nickel. Potters may inhale these fumes or they may settle onto studio surfaces. Some can contaminate the kiln and coat ware during later firings.
Nitrogen Oxides and Ozone – These gases result from the breakdown of nitrogen-containing compounds or from heat and/or electricity acting on the air inside the kiln. They are powerful irritants to the lungs.
Lead – Do not use lead in any of your glazes as it is a dangerous material. Manufacturers have removed it from commercial glazes, underglazes and other pottery products. However, it is important to know what it can do to your health. Lead glazes on ceramic ware may pose a health risk, particularly by impairing young children’s intellectual development. Poisoning may result when lead leaches into food or beverages.
It was used in the past on earthenware, on older bone china and porcelain because it acted as an effective flux to lower the melting point of silica, creating a smooth and glossy finish, producing vibrant decorative colours. Still, it can leach into food and drinks. Don’t use it, especially if you are a beginner. Modern alternative fluxes like boron, calcium and alkaline earth materials can replace lead. Ask your pottery supplier for alternative products.
Kilns
Kilns release fumes during use, so whenever possible, place them in a room separate from the studio. Ensure there is adequate ventilation to allow fumes to escape. Never fire salt-glaze kilns in enclosed areas, as the fumes they produce are toxic. Enamel, lustre bisque, sawdust, gas, and oil kilns all require good ventilation in the kiln room, along with extractor fans to remove fumes that do not pass through the flue.
Do not place your eye too close to the kiln’s peephole when looking inside. Hot air or even flames may escape and injure the eye. When viewing a hot kiln, use protective safety lenses to shield your eyes from the intense brightness.
Standard glasses do not protect against the intense heat and potential debris from a kiln. Specialized safety glasses are designed to block harmful infrared and ultraviolet radiation that can damage your vision over time. It is best to choose eyewear that meets industrial safety standards to ensure your eyes are fully protected. You can find a wide selection of protective and prescription safety glasses at rx-safety.com/ to keep your eyes safe in the studio. Investing in proper eye protection is a simple step that prevents serious injuries.
Keep surrounding surfaces and equipment as clean as possible when using the kiln. Remove dust or spills with a damp cloth or sponge. If available, use a wet-and-dry vacuum cleaner to clean the floors and eliminate dust and water. Never sweep up dust; instead, mop the floors with a damp sponge.
Ergonomics
Do not forget to stretch and move! Always be careful when lifting heavy items such as bags of clay, kiln shelves, and equipment. Use a trolley to transport sacks of clay and other materials. Lift safely! Bend your knees and recognise your limits!
In addition, you should:
- Take frequent breaks, stretch often, walk around, and have a cuppa!
- Adjust your stool to the proper height so your back stays straight while wheel throwing.
- Avoid doing repetitive tasks such as wedging, throwing, and trimming for extended periods.
Food and Drink
Never eat or drink directly over workstations. You must not consume food and beverages in the pottery studio. Harmful particles could enter the body through the mouth.
Smoking during pottery work may also lead to the inhalation of dust particles in the air and should therefore be prohibited.
To stay hydrated, use tightly sealed water bottles or travel mugs kept away from clay, and thoroughly wash your hands before consuming anything.
For potters creating functional kitchenware, understanding how to ensure their pieces are food safe is essential. The key factors are proper vitrification and selecting food-safe glazes.
Electricity
Studios regularly use water around electrical equipment, sockets, switches, and lights, so one must exercise caution. Never operate switches with wet hands. Have an experienced, qualified electrician install all wiring. Electric kilns consume substantial amounts of power; install a door safety switch and an isolator switch on the main power supply.
Essential Personal Protective Equipment for Pottery Safety
- Fit face masks and respirators properly. Beards and other facial hair can prevent a secure fit. Suppliers provide training on the correct use and fitting of respirators and face masks. Ideally, the masks should be designed for toxic substances because they contain very fine filter material. A dust mask is essential when sanding or finishing dry or fired clay.
- Non-dust-retentive protective clothing should be worn to ensure that silica does not transfer onto your clothes.
- Wear an apron, preferably one made of plastic (or Terylene fibre) so you can wipe it clean regularly.
- Wash tools and clean all wheel and table surfaces after every use.
- After use, fabrics and towels should be placed in a bucket of water to soak, then rinsed to remove particles before being washed in the machine.
- Once contaminated fabrics have been cleaned, run the washing machine through a rinse cycle before washing personal clothing.
- Wear sturdy, well-fitting footwear that is also comfortable.
- Rubber gloves can help protect your skin from powders and raw materials while preparing glazes and colours.
- Safety glasses help shield your eyes from injury when working with powders or sanding dry clay surfaces.
Building a Professional and Safe Pottery Culture
Investing in professional, safe pottery practices isn’t just about protecting you and your workspace—it’s about safeguarding your health, improving product quality, and helping you enjoy a creative process with fewer setbacks. From using the right materials and proper ventilation to following safe handling and firing procedures, small habits make a big difference. So take the time to follow health and safety guidelines every step of the way—your skin, lungs, and finished pieces will thank you.
Disclaimer:
We do not intend this information to be comprehensive; we provide it as a guide only. Each individual handling these or other substances is responsible for ensuring that appropriate safety standards are followed and that they are fully aware of the toxicity levels of the various substances being used. For further information, consult the relevant literature available for each ingredient.
Useful Links and Book:
https://walkerceramics.com.au/health-safety/
https://www.redcliffe-pottery-group.org.au/ceramics-safety/
https://digitalfire.com/glossary/lead+in+ceramic+glazes
https://www.southtexascollege.edu/academics/visual-arts/safety/ceramics.html
Ceramics Manual – A Basic Guide to Pottery Making by Graham Flight, 1990, Peter Lane Consultant Editor, Collins
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