Health and safety

Vacuum forming army helmets

• ·         Make sure you have a clean work space. Objects in the way of your work could be dangerous to you and others around you.
• ·         As you use scissors/ scalpel to cut the plastic, be careful your fingers aren't in the way.
• ·         When using the drill (for the block of wood) in the workshop, make sure you are wearing goggles and steel toe capped boots. Also stand at arm’s length from the machine and hold the block of wood with one hand as far away from the drill bit as you can and another hand on the drill handle. 
• ·         When mixing plaster, make sure a ventilator is on above your work space. (red handle should be pointing upwards)
• ·         When using the large cutting machine, make sure all fingers, long hair, dangling jewellery/ ID’s are away from the blade.
• ·         When using the vacuum former, do not touch the plastic as it is melting... it’s hot! Make sure you clamp the machine’s handles down so there is no chance of the hot plastic slipping and burning somebody.
• ·         When using the band saw, wear goggles and make sure ventilation is turned on. You can use a stick on the side closest to the saw to push the plastic through. Turn the machine off by pressing the red button and clean the space (with a brush, not your hand!) for the next person.

Fibreglassing an army helmet

•    You should wear your goggles, mask and gloves at all times.
• Make sure ventilation is on.
• Mix the polyester gel coat and hardener with a wooden stick. Wear goggles, mask and gloves! Don’t mess around when doing this, there are other people other than yourself you can harm! Stick to the correct measurements when using liquid hardener… too much and it becomes extremely flammable.
• Keep the sheets of fibreglass in your space… it is easily spread and can be quite harmful if shreds of it are breathed in.  Wear gloves and mask for this!
• Tidy your work space after you have finished with it.

Moulding and casting

• ·         Make sure you have a clean work space.
• ·         Be careful of your fingers when using the hot glue gun!
• ·         Mind your fingers when cutting the thin plastic. Also put the scalpel in a visible place you can find it afterwards as people are easily hurt if they can’t see sharp objects near them.
• ·         When mixing the silicone liquid and hardener wear goggles, gloves and mask.
• ·         When using the vacuum degassing machine, make sure the lid is on the top when in use. When you want to release the pressure, move the handle slowly!
• ·         Wear gloves when pouring the mixture into the mould and be careful not to spill any!

Making bread and cheese from polystyrene

• ·         Make sure you have a clean work space and work on a board.
• ·         Be careful when using the carving knife! Cut away from you and make sure your fingers aren’t in the way.
• ·         Use the shaping tools carefully, make sure your fingers aren't in the way.
• ·         Clear your space regularly, polystyrene builds up quickly!
• ·         Mind your fingers when using sandpaper too.
• ·         Clean your work space completely after you have finished.

Health & safety at its most fashionable!