Safety Practices

Safety Practices for Kingston Lapidary and Mineral Workshop, March 2019 
Please note that safe working practise is the responsibility of everyone in the workshop. Please remind your fellow workers if you see anyone not using any of the required safety practises.

  1. Wear appropriate clothing. We recommend tightly woven denim, cotton twill or wool and short sleeves, or snug fitting long sleeved shirts. Very loose clothing, fleece, silk or polyester poses a safety hazard.  Cotton Tee shirt and jeans are ideal. 
 
  1. Wear shoes that cover the entire foot - no “Crocs” or sandals please and long hair should be tied back. Covered toe shoes are essential when using much of the equipment ie soldering, buffing.
 
  1. Safety glasses must be worn while working on the grinders, saws, sanders, drills, or buffing machines. They are also needed when working with any form of acid ie. Pickle, etching solution. The club has purchased tinted safety glasses for use during prolonged sessions of soldering or fusing.
 
  1. Dust mask: NIOSH N95 particulate mask must be worn while using ALL polishing/buffing equipment. Masks should be stored in a plastic bag between uses.
 
  1. When using the borax solution for flux, do not coat the brick, tools and your hands along with the piece. Wash your hands, and all surfaces, immediately after use.  Do not rub your eyes or eat while you are working with flux.
 
  1. Pickle is the acid used to remove oxides, flux and oil from your metal. Wear Safety Glasses, use only copper or brass tongs and take care not splash when placing metal pieces in the pickle. If you spill any on your clothes or skin, rinse with water and neutralize with baking soda. Avoid inhaling the vapours by keeping the pot covered. Flush eyes with plenty of water and seek medical help should the acid splash in your eyes. Use the water bowl provided to quench/cool your pieces prior to pickling.
 
  1. Care must be taken when using the polishing wheels to prevent injury. Wear Safety Glasses. Do not wear gloves.  Do not put rings on your fingers and attempt to polish them - ring clamps should be used. NEVER attempt to polish chains on this equipment as severe injury can result!  The tumbler is used to polish chain. We recommend that pendants, rings and bracelets are removed while working the workshop.
 
  1. Drill press - Wear Safety Glasses.  Use one of the set punches to mark the metal so the drill bit has a starting point and does not travel around the metal and possibly snap off. Leave the left hand in position that is holding the silver piece until the press has been turned off after the hole has been drilled. That way you do not accidentally move your hand into the bit while it is rotating.
 
  1. Propane tanks- Propane is heavier than air and will collect near the floor so that any static charge can ignite it. When lighting the torch open the valve gently so that you hear a small hiss, then use electronic igniter to light the torch. Do not use ‘open flame’ ie Lighters to ignite the gas.  If the torch does not light then turn off the gas and start again. To close the valve on the torch you need to close the valve until you just feel a bit of pressure then only move the valve a couple more millimetres – just snug NOT TIGHT! Further tightening only damages the valve and causes it to leak. Propane has a strong smell so you should be able to smell it or hear it hiss if you have not closed the valve enough. Your instructor will turn the propane tanks on and off at the beginning/end of the evening or session. Changing propane tanks must only be done by the instructor.
 
  1.  The First Aid Kit is found on the white shelves in the soldering room.
 
  1. Be aware of the location and use of the emergency eye wash kit and fire extinguisher.