Description
What is the course about?
This course gives you all the information you need to run a pottery studio safely, whether just for yourself or as a large teaching or community studio.
How is it Delivered?
The course is structured into eight modules (nominally weekly but you can decide on your own pace). Each module consists of a video presentation, a PDF of the presentation for you to download, and links to additional material (both on and off my tech website) that you may wish to explore if you want more detailed information on any aspects of the course.
You’re also encouraged to ask me questions about the course content and your practices during the course. This may be by email, or by participating in the monthly “Ask me Anything” video conferences for all my current students and Patreon supporters.
You have access to the course material for 12 weeks from your booking date. After that, you can have access whenever you want by supporting me on Patreon for the cost of buying me a cup of coffee each month.
What will we cover?
You will learn about how to identify and resolve risks in the studio, through the whole making process from dealing with clay and other raw materials, through making and firing work to final packaging. You will understand how to identify any potentially harmful materials in the studio, and how to deal with them. You will also get to understand good working practice in the studio, as well as appropriate clothing and the use of PPE. You will also be shown resources that you can use to help decide whether something is a significant risk or not.
The course doesn’t deal with the specific legal responsibilities of having staff, or of running a teaching studio, though the health and safety aspects are covered.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to…
- Identify hazards in your studio, and develop a method of resolving them. Be able to classify different levels of risk.
- Understand the basics of how substances may enter into and be expelled from the body; chronic and acute exposure levels
- Identify any potentially harmful substances in the studio, using the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), information on my web site and other information sources
- Understand the risks of dust (including silica and other materials); how to minimise the creation of dust; and how to manage it safely
- Decide on appropriate clothing and PPE for different activities, and how to use the PPE correctly
- Assess any physiological risks from lifting, wedging, throwing and other activities, and how to deal with them
- Understand the risks from various methods of firing, and how to manage them
- Be aware of the risks of machinery that may be used in the studio
- Know how to dispose of studio waste safely, being aware of any environmental risks
- Have a good overall understanding of good studio practice from a health and safety viewpoint
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Beginner to intermediate.
You should have some experience of making and firing pots in a pottery studio, whether yours or somebody else’s.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course is primarily run through video lectures.
Additional material that you may wish to explore is on the course website. This will help you go deeper into the subject matter, should you wish to do so.
There will be suggestions for you to consider specific aspects of your studio between sessions.
Subtitles to the videos are available – if your language isn’t there. just ask!
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No advance preparation is needed.
What do I get?
- Eight lectures, each lasting about 90 minutes
- Recordings of all lectures for later viewing during the course, with subtitles in all attendees’ languages
- Additional optional online course material, giving background info and greater depth
- Optional participation in monthly “Ask me Anything” live online discussion sessions
- Downloadable PDFs of all presentations
- Premium level access to the Tech part of my web site, containing much more information, references etc.
- Course attendance certificate
Note that the lecture recordings and premium level site access are included at no cost until 12 weeks after you sign up to the course. After that, continued access is available for the cost of buying me a coffee each month.
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