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Health and safety

Effective Date: 01/07/2026 | Review Date: 01/07/2027

1. Welcome

Your safety and well-being are our highest priorities. This policy is designed to keep our creative space safe, clean, and inspiring for all members, students, and visitors. By using the workshop, you agree to follow these guidelines and help us maintain a supportive environment.

2. General workshop guidelines & dress code

  • Awareness: Always be mindful of your surroundings and considerate of others working around you.
  • Attire: Wear appropriate workshop clothing. Avoid loose sleeves, dangling jewelry, or long scarves, and ensure long hair is tied securely back.
  • Footwear: Closed-toe shoes must be worn in the studio at all times. No sandals or flip-flops.
  • Training: Only operate machinery, wheels, or equipment that you have been formally trained to use by our staff.
  • Hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly after handling clay, glazes, or raw materials. Keep food and drinks strictly away from active making areas.
  • Clear spaces: Keep walkways, aisles, and emergency exits completely clear of bags, coats, and personal supplies.

3. Safe equipment handling

At the wheel

  • Ensure your wheel stool is stable and adjusted to a comfortable height before starting.
  • Avoid leaning your full body weight heavily onto the wheel head while it is in motion.
  • Keep your hands, hair, and tools clear of the spinning mechanism.
  • Use water efficiently—excessive water creates slip hazards on the surrounding floor.
  • Completely wipe down and clean your wheel and stool after your session.

Sharp tools & utensils

  • Always handle trimming tools, knives, and sharp objects with care and focused attention.
  • Never leave sharp tools lying loose or face-up on shared work tables.
  • Clean and return all tools to their designated storage spaces immediately after use.

4. Dust control, clay & glaze safety

Dry clay and glaze materials contain silica dust, which can be harmful if inhaled over time. We use a “wet clean”policy to keep the air safe.

  • Dust management: Never dry-sweep or brush clay dust. Always use damp sponges, cloths, and mops to clean surfaces and floors.
  • Sanding: Avoid dry-sanding greenware or bisqueware in the open studio. If sanding is necessary, it must be done with proper ventilation and a dust mask.
  • Glaze disposal: Never pour glaze scraps or contaminated water down standard sinks. Use the marked waste buckets provided.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
    • Aprons: Highly recommended to protect your clothes from dust absorption.
    • Dust masks: Mandatory when handling dry clay bodies, mixing glazes, or generating dust.
    • Gloves: Available and recommended when handling specific chemical glazes or raw oxides.

5. Cleaning & workshop hygiene

A clean workshop is a safe workshop. Every maker is responsible for their own footprint:

  • Wipe down your workspace, boards, and wheels before you leave.
  • Use the dedicated clay-trapped sinks for rinsing tools and sponges to prevent plumbing blocks.
  • Leave your station in the exact condition you would wish to find it.

6. Community code of conduct

  • Treat all fellow studio users, teachers, and staff with kindness and mutual respect.
  • Maintain a calm, focused, and creative atmosphere. Please keep noise levels mindful.
  • Respect the clay: Never handle another maker’s work, tools, or shelf space without explicit permission.
  • Always follow the directions and guidance of the Wild Moor Pottery team.

7. Children & vulnerable adults

  • Anyone under the age of 16 or vulnerable adults must be actively supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
  • Written parental or guardian consent is strictly required for under-16s participating in studio activities.
  • Exercise extra caution with sharp tools and heavy equipment when younger participants are visiting the studio.

8. Incident management & fire safety

First aid & accidents

  • A fully stocked first aid kit is accessible in the studio.
  • Report all injuries, cuts, or “near-miss” accidents to studio staff immediately so they can be recorded in our accident log.
  • In the event of a medical emergency, call 999 immediately.

In case of fire

  1. Alert the workshop: Immediately raise the alarm.
  2. Evacuate: Leave all personal belongings behind and exit calmly through the nearest clearly marked fire exit.
  3. Assemble: Gather at the designated safety assembly point outside.
  4. Stay clear: Do not re-enter the building until emergency services or staff have officially declared it safe to do so.

9. Contacts & reporting procedures

Please promptly report any faulty equipment, hazards, or spills to our team.

  • Workshop owner: Phil Whild
  • Workshop email: info@wildmoorpottery.com
  • Emergency Services: 999
  • Non-urgent issues: Please speak directly to the staff member on duty.

Thank You!

By keeping these safety habits in mind, you help make Wild Moor Pottery a welcoming, healthy, and beautifully creative space for everyone. If you ever have a question about using a tool or handling a material, just ask!