[Jewelry making - Article 00454] - Re: [Orchid] Dust and static electricity explosions

[juliette arda]

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hello,

    I understand your concerns but I doubt that such an expolsion would
    happen in a jewellery workshop. First, the dust we usually produce is
    fairly thick and heavy, I think that for the dust to explode, it
    should be "pulverised" in the air ( in cylos, dust is so fine that it
    looks like smoke), for such a fine dust, I see only investment
    plaster (which I do not use because I don't do castings). 

    Discussing such hazards is a good idea. 

    Because I have students (only one at a time) in my workshop, safety
    is important for me. I keep various dust/fume masks, gloves, aprons
    and goggles there. I also ask them to wear trousers and no sandals.
    The first lesson is always a workshop tour with an introduction to
    the tools and their safety rules. I warn them not to catch any
    falling object for it could be hot or sharp or both. Besides, I send
    them on a break every two hours or so keep there concentration level. 


    Appart from cuts and burns or acid spills, I think the main hazard
    of our trade is what we cannot see or smell like lead or cadnium slow
    intoxication Acid fume and unsufficient ventilation in an issue, or
    the reaction between acids and patina or plating solutions if one
    forgets the baking soda step... I was told that it creates
    mustard-gas! 

    Personnaly, I keep a window open most of the time and leave it open
    overnight when I go home, I regularly check on my torch and clean it
    every now and then. 

    As I enamel, dust is my enemy so keep the place as clean as possible
    and work with wet abrasives. 

    I clean the all workshop at least once a week, my pickle is set on
    the minimum temperature to avoid fumes and has a lid and I preferably
    use leadfree enamels and cadniumfree solders. Recently (thanks to
    Orchid) I found tarfree pitch. All my bottles and jars are correctly
    labelled. Besides, I keep food ansd drinks on the opposite side of my
    workplace, by my drawing desk and wash my cup and plate always
    separatly with a dedicated sponge (I do not allow the students to eat
    in the workshop, that's only for me). 

    I don't really think about all my safety rules it all is in my
    habits now but I noticed that I am always exhausted after a lesson
    with a beginner because I have to be extra-vigilant. 

Juliette Arda
Artiste-Bijoutiere
Aix en Provence, France
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