Some art materials and equipment have potential hazards, and teachers must develop student attitudes that support safe practices in the classroom. Teachers model and discuss safety procedures and regulations. Safe practices help to ensure the welfare of students and teachers and can help prevent damage to equipment and facilities. 

The following recommendations for art teachers suggest ways to keep the classroom free of accidents and injuries:

• Implement a comprehensive program of safety, especially when complicated materials, tools, or equipment are introduced and used.
• Label, date, and store all materials and chemicals properly.
• Stay aware of the U.S. Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act, which requires manufacturers to evaluate their potential hazard with the following information:
  1. a signal word such as CAUTION or WARNING
  2. a list of ingredients
  3. a telephone number for assistance
  4. instructions on how to use the product
  5. a statement of the product’s intended use by children.
• Teachers can be held legally responsible for the use of inappropriate materials. A good resource for questions and concerns regarding art safety is the non-profit organization, Art and Creative Materials Institute, Inc. They identify products that are certified by toxicology experts to be safe and to contain no materials in sufficient quantity to be dangerous to children.
• Establish safety procedures, and make sure that students understand and observe them.
• Use emergency procedures established by the school, such as evacuation plans for classrooms and other school environments, and make it clear to students what to do in case of an emergency.
• Inspect tools, equipment, and facilities regularly; discontinue use of defective or unsafe equipment.
• Use posters and bulletin boards to emphasize potential dangers and safety procedures.
• Supervise students using potentially hazardous equipment.
• Take extra precautions to ensure safety during highly specialized work, such as firing, dyeing, casting, and welding.
• Properly dispose of waste materials.
• Demonstrate and model safe behavior.

The following recommendations for school administrators suggest ways to support a safe classroom environment:

• Schedule regular inspection and maintenance of equipment and facilities.
• Encourage and enable teachers to update their knowledge and instruction in safety through in-service, including college and university training and activities of professional organizations.
• Provide teachers with current information on accident liability and insurance.
• Install a direct outside telephone line, and post a list of emergency numbers.
• Ensure that exits and access to exits are unobstructed at all times.
• Ensure that students are given and tested on safety guides.
• Provide protective equipment, such as eye goggles, face shields, gloves, aprons, and safety belts.
• Provide working fire extinguishers, and place them in art labs according to fire code regulations.
• Provide for proper exhaust and ventilation of dust, chemicals, and fumes, including fumes from the kiln.
• Maintain fully-stocked first-aid kits in each work area.