Use of Casting Products Policy

(Date here)

Prior to use, instructors and students should carefully read and understand the product label for proper mixing, use and personal safety.

  1. No concrete, cement, mortar, Rockite or similar casting products can be STORED or USED inside the John Olver Design Building. This includes studios, classrooms, public spaces and any of the shop spaces.
  2. The only place that concrete, cement, mortar, Rockite or similar casting products can be stored, mixed, poured, sanded, chiseled or manipulated in any way is in the outdoor workspace on the South side of the John Olver Design Building. All other areas around the building are off limits.
  3. Smaller cast products can be stored within the assembly space after they have been removed from their molds if arrangements are made in advance.
  4. ALWAYS wear proper personal protective equipment during the entire process of mixing, pouring and any manipulation (sanding, chiseling, etc.) of casting products. This means wearing SAFETY GLASSES and DISPOSABLE GLOVES AT ALL TIMES, RESPIRATORS during mixing and manipulation, and APRONS AT ALL TIMES to protect clothing and reduce risk of transfer of particulate matter from the outdoor work space to other areas.
  5. Students must provide their own personal protective equipment (unless the instructor has explicitly made prior arrangements to provide it for students).
  6. Protect the outdoor work space with a heavy tarp that covers the work area and allows for easy cleanup when work is complete. A designated tarp is provided in the Wood Shop (Room 112) and can be signed out by the shop manager.
  7. Excess casting materials should be carefully poured into a designated pail (5 gal) for this purpose as provided in the Wood Shop by the shop manager. The designated rinse bucket (5 gal) should be used to clean all tools after work is completed.
  8. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANY CASTING MATERIALS OR WATER COMTAMINATED WITH CASTING MATERIALS INCLUDING MATERIAL FROM THE RINSE BUCKET – BE POURED DOWN ANY DRAINS. Casting materials even diluted can cause permanent, expensive damage to drain systems.
  9. All water contaminated with casting materials should be poured into a large tray to allow as many solids as possible to settle out. When appropriate, the remaining water should be slowly run through a sand filtration system provided in the outdoor work area and the solids remaining in the tray should be set aside in the collection barrel for proper disposal.
  10. All spills from any casting materials or dust/chips etc. from manipulation of castings should be carefully collected from the tarp while wearing personal protective equipment (safety glasses, respirators and aprons) and poured in the collection barrel for proper disposal.
  11. Return all shop tools and equipment to their proper locations. – DO NOT place anything on the stored materials and assemblies or use them as a work surface. These materials are part of ongoing research and teaching in BCT and LARP. Only work on surfaces provided by the instructors of the assigned project. Faculty who have assigned projects that require the use of castable materials are required to make sure their students understand the previously described protocols and to monitor their students use of these castable materials through out the process of the assignment. Please make every effort to follow protocols—failure to do so can lead not only to revoked access and fines to individuals, but long-term shut-downs of building work areas instituted to the building as a whole by the University Health and Safety office.

If you have comments, questions, or suggestions, please contact your departmental shop representative. We are happy to get your feedback.

The Design Building Shop Committee:

Peggi Clouston
Michael Davidsohn
Ray K Mann
John Pierce