SIGNING IN SHEETS
When you access the photography areas it is imperative that you sign in both on your course register and on the signing in sheets at the stores. The stores signing in sheets are the health & safety sheets for the area and are used as a check on who is in the area at any given time. It is these sheets that are used in the event of a fire evacuation or any other health & safety emergency. Please ensure you sign these sheets on a daily basis for your own safety when you are with us.
1. When using or handling photographic processing solutions – particularly developers – avoid as far as possible any contact between the bare hands and solutions. Wear protective gloves if there is a possibility that such contact cannot be avoided.
2. If possible renew protective gloves daily as the materials normally used for gloves usually becomes permeable to colour developing agents after a short time in use and then provide no further protection. The use of seamless, disposable gloves is recommended (e.g. Glovex vinyl gloves made by Messrs. Beiresdorf AG, Hamburg).
3. If despite these precautions, chemicals or processing solutions – particularly colour developers – should come into contact with the skin, rinse the affected parts immediately and thoroughly in running water. Developers can be removed more effectively by first washing the hands in a 2% solution of acetic acid.
4. Even when there is no acute risk of contamination by photo-chemicals, wash the hands in running water several time daily and use a slightly acidic skin cleaner (e.g. Industrie- Praecutan made by Messrs. Chemische Fabrik Stockhausen and Cie., Krefeld).
5. Wear goggles to protect the eyes for all work in which photographic processing solutions could be splashed (e.g. when preparing solutions and pouring them into tanks, cleaning processing equipment etc) If splashes should nevertheless reach the eyes, spread the eyelids and rinse out immediately with plenty of water, preferably not too cold. The person concerned should then consult a doctor or ophthalmologist.
6. Make certain that workrooms are adequately ventilated – particularly when process temperatures lie above 30oC (86oF). In industrial workrooms the air in the room should be completely changed 8 to 10 times every hour.
7. Processing solutions should be poured into suitable containers and kept in such a way that they cannot be confused with drinks and are not accessible to children.
8. do not eat or drink in workrooms. If, despite this precaution, photographic processing chemicals or solutions should be swallowed by mistake, see that the person’s mouth is rinsed out immediately, give plenty of water to drink and, provided the person is fully conscious, attempt to induce vomiting e.g. by giving the person salt water to drink (1 tablespoon of common salt to 1 glass of water). Then consult a doctor immediately and give him particulars of the processing solutions involved.
Special references to the precautions to be observed for certain photo chemicals. This information satisfies the current legal requirements for labelling chemical products and, if followed carefully, ensures the biggest possible degree of safety at work. However, the possibility of irritation of the skin or mucous membranes cannot be excluded in the case of persons who are very sensitive or allergic to such chemicals.
SAFE HANDLING PRACTICES WITH PHOTOGRAPHIC CHEMICALS Handle all chemicals, including photographic chemicals with care. Keep the Darkroom and Mixing Area Clean Clean up chemical spills immediately after they occur powdered chemicals and the residue from dried chemicals may become airborne and be inhaled, or they can contaminate processing and printing areas or other processing solutions.
General Safety
Wear Protective Clothing Clean Chemicals from Skin and Eyes Promptly Some photographic solutions, particularly developers, can cause allergic skin reactions. Avoid contact of any chemicals with your skin. In case of accidental contact, wash the chemicals from your skin with running tap water. If chemicals are splashed into your eyes, wash them at once with running water for at least 15 minutes, and get immediate medical attention.
Safety Tips:
1. Never consume food or beverages in an area with chemicals.
2. Many chemicals can be absorbed through the skin. They do not need to be ingested to get inside your body.
3. Protective equipment’, rubber gloves, and print tongs. Any equipment, which will minimize your exposure to chemicals, is cheap insurance.
4. If something gets in your eyes, or in contact with your skin, flush with water.
5. Some people are allergic to some darkroom chemicals. If your body sends you signals, redness, rash, itching, dry skin etc. Do not ignore them. Consult with a physician and take the material safety data sheets with you.
6. Wet floors are slip and fall hazards. If you spill, splatter, or drip, clean it up! 7. Paper Cutters – Rotary blade paper cutters are the safest. Do not use the type of cutters with bladed handles. These are particularly dangerous, when you are working in the dark.
In general improvements by manufacturers have made photographic materials safer. There is nothing to fear in using most materials providing they are used with respect.
Jessica Wood 