Safety and
Ergonomics for Jewelry Artisans
Working with wire creates a
situation in which you use your hands in an extremely intensive
way. Small movements are repeated many times over and this
repetitive use of the hands can cause injury, pain and numbness.
Incorrect or careless use
positioning or use of tools can cause you to lose the ability to use
your hands for weeks or months at a time to give them time to
heal. A little care taken before and during your work period will
help keep your hands and eyes healthy.
-
Warming up for working -
Gently move the hands for a couple of minutes before you
start working. (bend, flex, rotate, extend, stretch )
-
Wear eye protection when
cutting wire and when weaving with long ends
-
Good ergonomics in seating
will help your neck, shoulders, arms, wrists and fingers when
working for long periods
-
Be sure your seat
height is correct
-
Use a foot rest if
needed
-
Be sure your back is
properly supported
-
Match your table height
to your seat height
-
Keep your hands and
arms warm
-
Good lighting will help
your eyes and posture while you are working
-
Rest periods
-
Every hour do 5 minutes
of the following exercises
-
Hand exercises
i.
Praying hands – Put the tips of your fingers together and
gently push your palms together.
ii.
Finger tip touches – Touch each finger tip to the tip of your
thumb one at a time.
iii.
Finger stretches – Open your hand like a starfish and stretch
the fingers as far as they will go.
iv.
Rotate wrists gently with fists doubled up
v.
Stretch hands back at
finger tips using other hand. Do this gently and don’t push too
far.
-
Eye exercises
i.
Blink slowly to produce moisture in the eye
ii.
Close eyes slowly and with eyes closed look up, down and to
each side
iii.
Change the focus of your eyes by doing the following – focus
on your finger, slowly move your finger away, bring your finger
close then focus on something 10 ft. from you.
-
Neck, shoulder and back
exercises
i.
Shoulder blade touch – While sitting up straight with your
shoulders back and head erect, push your shoulder blades together
and hold for a count of 5.
ii.
Neck rolls – Place one hand on your head to support your neck
and gently move your head forward, then to the right , back and
left.
iii.
Shoulder Rolls – Hold your arms out and make large circles
with your hips.
iv.
Shoulder Rolls – Hold your arms out and roll first one
shoulder and then the other forward then back while moving your arms
naturally following the motion of your shoulders.
v.
Back arch – Sit up straight then arch your back and hold for
a count of 3.
vi.
Back bow – Lift your shoulders and bow your back out. Hold
for a count of 3.
-
Pressure points – Put
pressure in these points to relieve tension in your hand.
i.
Grinder joint – at the base of the ball of your thumb
ii.
Base of fingers
-
Do not rest your elbows or
your arm below the elbow joint on the table without a pad. This
can cause tennis elbow (cubital tunnel)
-
Use hand protection
(leather finger covers) so you don’t cut yourself with the wire
as you tighten wires.
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