The School’s Instructional Technicians are always on the lookout for ways to improve the facilities they oversee in order to ensure the health and safety of our students. They often consult with the UW’s Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) staff and will sometimes partner with EH&S on projects. Here are two recent examples:
Daniel Howe is one of the Instructional Technicians working at the Ceramic and Metal Arts Building with the 3D4M: ceramics-glass-sculpture Program. Because there have been issues with excessive dust in the woodshop there and a lack of adequate ventilation in the wax working room where molds are made, EH&S and Howe collaborated to improve the situation in the second half of 2013. EH&S paid $10,500 to replace dust collection equipment and woodworking tools through their Capital Safety Projects program. That program paid an additional $41,000 for the design and installation of an efficient stainless steel fume extraction hood in the wax room. Both areas are now more enjoyable and safer places to work. Howe is especially grateful for the professional and prompt assistance and expertise provided throughout these projects by John Kelly, a Compliance Analyst with EH&S.
John Martin is the Instructional Technician who manages the Woodshop in the Art Building. He is also co-chair of the SoA’s Environmental Health + Safety Committee, and he serves on the College of Arts & Sciences Health & Safety Committee. Martin is overseeing a $27,000 upgrade in the Woodshop, with the cost being shared by EH&S Capital Safety Projects and the SoA. This equipment was ordered in January 2014: five new dust collectors of varying sizes, a Powermatic panel saw, a 20″ Jet band saw, and two stationary sanding machines (disc and belt). If all goes as planned, the equipment will be in place before the start of Spring Quarter. Martin is looking forward to the improved air quality in the Woodshop.