We're Good to Go
Last updated 27th January 2022
‘Good To Go’ is a UK-wide industry standard and consumer mark by Visit Britain and Visit England. The campaign aims to reassure customers that our business adheres to Government and public health guidance.
We all want to stay safe and do our bit to prevent the spread of Covid-19. We’re well positioned to maintain social distancing at Sunken Studio - our studio is massive! Below we’ve outlined what measures we’ve put in place.
Coronavirus Safety Protocol at Sunken Studio
What we will do to mitigate risks from 19 July
Class sizes will increase from groups of 6-8 people to 8-10 people. We have a very large space and social distancing can be maintained. Our wheels will remain two meters apart. There will be four places available at each of our workbenches. Workbenches are 120cm x 2440cm, we have four benches.
Enhanced cleaning, hand washing and hygiene procedures will remain in place.
Hand sanitiser stations are placed around the building.
Access to the studio is by appointment only. All visitors book in advance and supply up-to-date contact details. This is for the general safety of staff and studio users and to facilitate Test and Trace if necessary.
Test and Trace information will be displayed on entry should you wish to check-in.
There are dedicated wheels for members and we have created a member’s only area for use during classes.
Our online courses, and Community Memberships are still available for home workers.
Our policy on face masks
From 27 January 2022 you will not be required to wear a face covering but the government suggests you continue to wear one in crowded and indoor spaces where you may come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
Masks are not mandatory but we ask all visitors and staff to consider the risks for themselves, taking into account whether a behaviour presents a risk to themselves and others.
Workshops
Please arrive no more than 10 minutes before the published start time of your class. We have staggered start times to ensure minimal crossover of groups (particularly important at weekends). Our published timings give us an opportunity to clean and reset the space between classes and to take a break.
Before your visit:
All visits must be booked in advance through our website - this will limit the total number of people on site at any one time to help ensure social distancing is safely achievable.
During your visit:
Be vigilant. Wash your hands on arrival and before you leave using the hand sanitiser provided.
Be considerate of other studio users and the team.
Unfortunately, we have closed the kitchenette to visitors. We’d recommend bringing a thermos or a bottle of water for longer stays in the studio.
Members
Before your visit:
All visits must be booked in advance through our website - this will limit the total number of people on site at any one time to help ensure social distancing is safely achievable. If you are unable to book through the website the resource you have selected and/or the studio is at capacity.
Please notify us in advance if you have any concerns about your visit and of any pre existing health conditions which may make you more vulnerable to coronavirus.
Our published class timetable can be used to see when the studio is likely to be more busy, allowing scheduling of visits for less busy times.
During your visit:
Be vigilant. Wash your hands regularly. Hand sanitiser is provided.
Be considerate of other members and the team and do your best to maintain social distancing at all times.
Unfortunately, we have closed the kitchenette to members and visitors. We’d recommend bringing a thermos or a bottle of water for longer stays in the studio.
Use hand sanitiser provided before collecting any tools you wish to use from the tool store.
Clay will be provided on the wedging bench.
Waste clay - separate clay into the different buckets provided in the communal work area. These are:
Plastic clay - clay which you can easily press your thumb into (please ensure the lid goes back on this bucket).
Leather hard to bone dry - break pots / slabs / coils into small chunks to accelerate drying.
Slurry - slops from your wheel tray / throwing bucket.
Clean down:
Leave any equipment you use - as you found it. If you come to an unclean piece of equipment please notify a member of the team.
Wheels:
Use water from your throwing bucket and a large sponge to drain clay and slurry from the wheel tray into the slurry bucket.
Use the bucket of clean water provided to rinse out your sponge and clean the wheel tray - wheel head and body.
Use one of the clean microfibre cloths from the sink area to give the tray and body of the wheel a final wipe down removing the last of the clay from your wheel.
All used tools must be cleaned and deposited into the dirty tools bucket.
Aprons / towels must be deposited into the laundry buckets provided.
Workbenches:
Use a bucket of water and a large sponge to wipe down your work area.
Waste clay must be separated into the recycling buckets as described above.
All used tools must be cleaned and deposited into the dirty tools bucket.
Aprons / towels must be deposited into the laundry buckets provided.
Team
End of day clean down:
Collect dirty tool buckets - fill with hot water and disinfectant solution. Wash all tools and return to the tool store.
Dirty aprons and towels - collected and taken to laundry - hot wash and dry - ready for use the following day.
Communal work space reset:
All tables cleared, and wiped down.
All used stools wiped down.
All wheels that have been used are given a final deep clean.
Vacuum according to the cleaning zone schedule. Additionally hoover all dry mess areas (clay work / glaze prep / recycling) that have been in use.
Mop with disinfecting floor cleaner solution according to the cleaning zone schedule. Additionally, mop any dry mess areas (after vacuum) to reduce fine dust.
Reset team kitchenette - clean any cups and utensils, disinfect surfaces.
Deep clean toilets and sink area. Including floor mop, taps and surfaces.
Hand Sanitiser
Storage and Handling:
Storage: alcohol hand rub is flammable. Store in a cool, dry place away from flame, heat and direct sunlight at all times.
Location of dispensers: do not place above or close to potential sources of ignition, such as light switches and electrical outlets.
Spillage: significant spillages must be dealt with immediately by removing all sources of ignition, ventilating the area, and diluting the spillage with water (at least to 10-times the volume). The fluid should then be absorbed by an inert material, such as dry sand (not a combustible material such as sawdust).
First aid: if contact with eyes, rinse well with water. Seek medical advice if irritation persists. If ingested, seek medical advice.
Disposal: rinse out used containers with copious amounts of cold water to reduce the risk of fire.
Archived
What we DID to mitigate risks while restrictions were in place:
Installation of a new racking storage system has cleared the communal studio area of all but essential day to day equipment. This made the space easier to keep clean and ensures social distancing of 2+ meters was achievable.
Reduced class sizes. The maximum number of people on site reduced to 20 to ensure we can maintain social distancing measures.
Enhanced cleaning, hand washing and hygiene procedures.
Hand sanitiser stations were placed around the building.
Access to the studio is by appointment only. All visitors book in advance and supply up-to-date contact details. This is for the general safety of staff and studio users and to facilitate Test and Trace if necessary.
Test and Trace information displayed on entry.
There are dedicated wheels for members and we have created a member’s only area for use during classes.
We launched online courses which can be completed from home or - flexibly - at the studio.
We launched a new Community membership option - it provides access to firing and glazing services for home workers.
We adhered to all the latest advice from HSE and the UK Government regarding face masks and PPE. Everyone wore masks.
