Hazards and Allergens

Here in the workshop, we work with 3 main materials –  wood, metal and glass, each of these medium will expose you to different risks. Do read and understand them carefully prior to signing up for any workshops. It is important that you are comfortable with your learning environment. The list below is non-exhaustive, please whatsapp us at +65 91178440 if you have any concerns that are not addressed here.

Woodworking

• Wood dust –  Fine wood particles are generated from sanding and sawing of timber, in some areas of our workshops this is mitigated by vacuum dust collectors, but a low level of dust still exists throughout your time in the workshop. This has the potential to cause allergic reactions to the airways or skin, do consult with your doctors if you have a history of sensitivity. Disposable masks are provided for all our classes.
• Splinters and cuts –  Raw timber that has not been sanded have potential to splinter and cut you. This is part and parcel of woodworking. We do not allow the use of gloves in the workshop due to entanglement risks with machines, so we advise careful handling of materials during the class.
• Glues and Solvents – We use Polyurethane Glue, Contact Adhesives, PVA Glue and Cyanoacrylate glues amongst others in our workshop, if you have an allergy to any of them, please refrain from participating in any gluing processes. We use solvent-based oil finishes for most of our woodwork, these generate solvent fumes during the drying process so please exclude yourselves from any oiling/finishing processes if you are sensitive to these.
• Machinery Risks –  You will be operating some light duty machines in your time here, but there are also heavier machines in our production area that are off-limits to students. The risks with machinery are cuts, impacts from tangle materials, and entanglement in rotary/linear machines. To reduce the risks of entanglement, we do not allow the use of gloves in the woodworking shop. Other entanglement risks include long hair, loose clothing, watches, bangles, rings and other jewelry. You are advised to remove all loose items and keep your hair tied up.

Metalworking/Glassblowing

• Hot Materials –  Both metalworking and glassblowing involves extreme high material temperatures upwards of 1000 Deg Celsius. Under regular instruction, these activities are very safe as equipment is used to handle the material, however they are very hazardous if students lose control over it. 
• Hot equipment – More risks exists when your equipment gets hot from handling, such as the tongs and blowpipes, and these can burn you instead. Radiant heat can also minor burns without contact, this is particular so if you have sensitive skin.
• Minor burns – Minor burns of the first and second degree are a potential during the class. These can be caused by radiant heat from the materials, small burns from touching the wrong side of the tool. You may also experience melting of your shoes from stepping on hot glass, or minor damage to your clothing during the class. These are part and parcel of learning hot works despite the best efforts of instructors to keep you safe. If you are not comfortable with heat, please do not participate in the hot work classes.
• Steel Scale / Cracked Glass –  During the production process, small bits of material will fall off the steel and glass items, sometimes falling in contact with exposed skin. For this reason, eye-protection is mandatory during the class.
• Heat exhaustion –  This is a hidden risk that is not immediately apparent, but the hot environment can cause dehydration and heat injury. For this reason, we provide cold drinks throughout the duration of the class and you are advised to dress lightly and take breaks where required. If you have a history of heat injury or heart conditions, please consult with your doctor before participating in the hot works class.
• Ceramic Dust –  There will be small amounts of ceramic dust in the air and on the equipment due to their use in the furnaces and molds. These have the potential to cause minor allergies, the concentrations are far lower than toxic levels for short exposure.

All Materials Dress Code

• Mandatory –  Covered shoes, no exposed toes/heels. No Slip-Ons, sandals or crocs. We recommend a simple sports shoe, leather office shoes are also ok. Hard-Toed safety shoes are also great, but not required.
• Recommended –  Disposable Masks and Earplugs are available and highly recommended.

Metalworking Dress Code

Mandatory

• Pants/Skirts/Dresses covering the entire thigh. No mini-skirts/shorts exposing the upper thighs. 
• Eye Protection is required, if you don’t have it we provide them. These must be worn during the required portions of the class.

Recommended

• Long Pants of cotton material, preferably denim or work pants. Polyesther or other synthetic fibers will melt or catch fire if it comes in contact with high heat.
• Avoid sleeveless attire as the hot scale might irritate your arm skins.
• Avoid tights or any activewear as they will melt.
• Long sleeves are not recommended due to risk of heat exhaustion, but you can wear them if you feel you need the protection.
• Your clothing might be damaged during the class, please do not wear anything precious.

Glass Blowing Dress Code

Mandatory

• Pants/Skirts/Dresses covering the entire thigh. No mini-skirts/shorts exposing the upper thighs. 
• Eye Protection is required, if you don’t have it we provide them. These must be worn during the class.

Recommended

• Avoid sleeveless attire as radiant heat from the glass can cause burns on your arms.
• Wear short sleeves but bring a jacket, pullover or arm sleeves to put on during the glassblowing. You can also wear sleeveless with a removable jacket.
• Wear cotton attire, avoid polyesther or synthetic fibers as they will melt/catch fire.
• Avoid tights or any activewear as they will melt.
• Please bring hair ties for your hair.
• Your clothing might be damaged during the class, please do not wear anything precious.

Woodworking Dress Code

Mandatory

• No gloves during machinery operations.
• Long hair must be tied up
• No loose clothing or jewelry.

Recommended

• Dress comfortably, but clothing might get dirty or damaged during the class, please do not wear anything precious.
• Bring your own earplugs and masks if you prefer them as you’d be wearing these for a long time.
• Wear eye protection if you don’t have spectacles, the risks are more lower in woodworking but still exists.

Our Approach

Tombalek aims to provide an accessible and safe environment for students to experience craft across various mediums. Craft work comes with its inherent risks, and our aim is to reduce the major risks to as near to zero as possible. Our customers come from a wide range of backgrounds, often travelling from work for a class, or doing a hens party with friends. Therefore we try our best to keep our dress code and regulations to the minimum, however there are certain mandatory dress codes and also recommended ones so you can adjust to your own level of comfort.

This article serves to inform you of what to expect and how to protect yourself from irreversible injury. On the other hand, participants also have to understand that participation in hands-on activities will mean encountering minor injuries such as scraps and bruises, superficial burns and abrasions, these are common and a risk you have to accept when joining our classes. 

While we strive to prepare our studio space to be safe environment, your safety requires also your personal awareness and cooperation. Our instructors can give the correct advice and instructions, but it is up to you to follow them. Do remember that each student has to potential not just to injure themselves due to negligence, but also to injure other students and also our instructors too.

Your Cooperation

In order to provide a safe environment for yourself, other students and also our staff, here are some rules and regulations of the workshop.

• You have to abide by the above stated dress code.
• Declare any existing medical conditions or concerns regarding the hazards (e.g if you’re pregnant or recovering from surgery.) on arrival or before.
• Reschedule your classes if you are unwell (we will waive the postponement charges, just call us in advance.).
• Do not use your mobile phones or camera equipment during the class. There are periods available for photography, your instructors will inform you of the appropriate times.
• Follow all instructions given by the instructors, avoid challenging the instructors during the activity.
• Inform your instructors if you do not feel safe, well, or comfortable. Take a break if you are not 100% sure.
• Seek your doctors advice for any of the hazards and risks stated above.
• If our instructors feel that you are a risk to yourself or others despite warnings, we reserve the rights to restrict your participation without any compensation of the course fees paid by you.
• Do not sign up your underaged children for classes secretly, our age limit is 13 years and older. Class fees will be forfeited if you decide to show up with underaged participants against our advice.