The Crafts Report

Health & Safety Resource Guide for Craftspeople

compiled by Kirsten Schmidt

These listings have been compiled to provide practical resources to craftspeople who are seeking more information about health and safety issues in their workplace. These listings include many, but not all, health and safety resources. Additions are welcome to these listings.


Health and Safety Information/Brochures
Health and Safety Products
Health- and Safety-Related Books and Publications

Health and Safety Information/Brochures

American Lung Association
(800-LUNG-USA)
Provides information on lung hazards in the workplace, irritant gases, welding and other health concerns. Call for the address of your local branch.		 Arts and Creative Materials Institute
100 Boylston St., Ste. 1050,
Boston, MA 02116;
(617-426-6400).
Information on the toxicity of art materials, as well as their certification program of art materials, are available.
Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety (ACTS)
181 Thompson St., #23,
New York, NY 10012;
(212-777-0062).
Provides general information on safety in the arts.		 Center for Disease Control
1600 Clifton Rd., N.E.,
Atlanta, GA 30333;
(404-639-3311).
Provides information on prevention of diseases in the workplace.
Chemical Transportation Emergency Center
1300 Wilson Blvd.,
Arlington, VA 22209;
(800-262-8200).
Provides information on chemical emergencies.		 Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
Office of Information and Public Affairs,
4330 East-West Highway,
Bethesda, MD 20814;
(800-638-2772).
Provides product safety information to the public.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
9000 Rockville Pike,
Bethesda, MD 20892;
(301-496-4000).
Conducts research and provides services for health and related safety concerns.		 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
NIOSH Publications
Mail Stop C-13,
4676 Columbia Pkwy.,
Cincinnati, OH 45226;
(800-356-4674);
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html
Provides free publications on occupational safety and health issues.
National Safety Council (NSC)
1121 Spring Lake Dr.,
Itasca, IL 60143;
(630-285-1121).
Provides information on safety.		 New York Foundation for the Arts
155 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, NY 10013;
(212-366-6900).
Information on health and safety concerns for artists is available.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
U.S. Dept. of Labor,
200 Constitution Ave., N.W.,
Room S2315,
Washington, DC 20210;
(202-576-6339).
Safety and health issues in the workplace are addressed. 		Orton
The Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation
Box 460,
Westerville, OH 43082;
(614-895-2663).
Offers brochures on kiln safety, venting solutions, and firing tips and concerns.

Health and Safety Products

Airware America
Box 975,
Hwy. 54, S.,
Elbow Lake, MN 56531;
(800-328-1792).
Respirators, ear protectors and safety glasses. 		Aimtek, Inc.
201 Washington St.,
Arbor, MA 01501;
(800-772-0104).
Ear protection, eye protection and respirators.		 Armoreyes
484 N. San Jacinto,
Hemet, CA 92543;
(909-765-5696).
Prescription safety glasses.
Body-Rite
Box 599,
Belton, TX 76513;
(800-490-7483).
The Body-Rite Posture Pleaser, which is a two- or three-pound counter balance to alleviate back, neck and shoulder pain due to repetitive motion activities.		 Crews, Inc.
Box 751255,
Memphis, TN 38117;
(901-362-1573).
Protective eye wear.		 Customer Service Supply Co.
1801 N.E. 51st St.,
Pompano Beach, FL 33064;
(800-933-3888).
A wide range of safety supplies such as back supports, face shields, goggles and gloves.
DeWalt Industrial Tool Co.
Box 158,
626 Hanover Pike,
Hampstead, MD 21074;
(800-4-DeWalt).
Various safety tools, particularly for woodworking.		 Dome Industries
10 New England Way,
Warwick, RI 02887;
(800-432-4352).
Therapeutic support gloves.		 Eagle Manufacturing Co.
2400 Charles St.,
Wellsburg, WV 26070;
(304-737-3171).
Safety cabinets for combustible liquid storage such as paint and ink. Call to be directed to a local distributor.
Eastman Chemical Co.
100 N. Eastman Rd.,
Box 511,
Kingsport, TN 37662;
(423-229-2000).
Safety eye wear.		 Environmental Lighting Concepts, Inc.
3923 Coconut Palm Dr.,
Tampa, FL 33619;
(800-842-8848).
Sells Ott-Lite lighting, the first total-spectrum, radiation-shielded light source. It also offers a glare-free illumination geared for crafters, galleries, and other creative mediums. 		Fein Power Tools, Inc.
3019 W. Carson St.,
Pittsburgh, PA 15204;
(412-331-2325).
High-performance power tools, dust-free sanders and vacuums.
Lab Safety Supply
Box 1368,
Janesville, WI 53547;
(800-356-0783).
Respirators, eye wear, footwear, clothing, gloves, headgear, air monitors, spill control kits, lights, pumps, health and safety books and references.		 Standard Ceramic Supply Company
Box 4435,
Pittsburgh, PA 15205;
(412-278-6333).
Respirators and other ceramic-related supplies. Call to be directed to a local distributor.		 The Stelinger Company
1402 Rankin St.,
Troy MI 48083;
(800-362-2800).
Back supports, gloves and respirators, among other products.
Vallen Safety Supply
9004 The Yellow Brick Road, Ste. G,
Baltimore, MD 21237;
(800-482-5536).
Alarm systems, ear protection and lighting.		 Watson Sales Company, Inc.
990 Kenmore Ave.,
Buffalo, NY 14216;
(716-877-1164).
Safety glasses, first-aid kits, respirators, etc.		  

Health- and Safety-Related Books and Publications

International Journal of Arts Medicine (IJAM)
The official journal of The International Arts Medicine Association (IAMA) and The International Society for Music in Medicine (ISMIM).
Article topics include: therapeutic well-being through self-expression in the arts, insights into the arts in the hospital environment, programs which enhance the quality of life for persons with serious illnesses, arts medicine, injury and prevention, more. $20.00 each volume/year (two issues) or $13.00 single issue within the U.S.; $25.00 U.S. funds each volume outside the U.S. Shipping and handling charges apply. Some back issues available.
To order, call: (800) 543-3771 (USA/Canada) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT. For more information, visit the IJAM Web site at: http://www.mmbmusic.com/mmbmusic/ijam_home.html.		 Art Hazards News
A quarterly newsletter published by the Center for Safety in the Arts (CSA), a national resource center for research and education on the hazards of art and craft materials.
2124 Broadway, Box 310
New York, NY 10023
Publications available from the CSA:
  • Art Safety Procedures for Art Schools and Art Departments, by M. McCann, CSA, 1992, $23.00 + $3.50 postage and handling
  • Artist Beware, by M. McCann, second edition, Lyons & Burford, NY, 1992, $29.95 (+ $3.50)
  • Health Hazards Manual for Artists, by M. McCann, fourth edition, Lyons & Burford, NY, 1994, $11.95 (+ 3.50)
  • School Safety Procedures for Art & Industrial Art Programs, by M. McCann, CSA, 1994, $23.00 (+ $3.50).
    • The Artist's Resource Handbook
    by Daniel Grant, 1994, reprinted and updated in 1997. Copies can be ordered through Allworth Press, $18.95, (212-777-8395).    		 The Artists' Complete Health and Safety Guide
    second edition, by Monona Rossol. This is co-published by Allworth Press and the Americans for the Arts, $19.95.
    ACTS Facts
    The monthly newsletter of Arts, Crafts and Theatre Safety, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing a variety of health and safety services for artists.
    181 Thompson St., #23
    New York, NY 10012
    (212-777-0062)
    http://www.caseweb.com/acts/    		 Lead: A Guidebook to Hazard Detection, Remediation and Control
    by Paul N. Cheremisinoff and Nicholas P. Cheremisinoff, 1993. Available through Lab Safety Supply (800-356-0783), hardcover, $85.50.
    Workplace Health Protection: Industrial Hygiene Program Guide
    by Robert G. Confer, 1994. Available through Lab Safety Supply (800-356-0783), hardcover, $131.45.

    These links are provided as a service to the crafts community, and do not necessarily represent endorsement by The Crafts Report.

    Resource Guide listings were compiled by Editorial Assistant Kirsten Schmidt

    SEPTEMBER 1997 HOME