Silversmithing and jewelery design workshop safety

Craft Talk
1

Hi, I’m a student from Loughborough university conduction some research in the field of silversmithing and jewellery production and was hoping to possibly gain a few responses to a few questions to aid me in the design of a workshop safety device. sadly I have covid at the moment which is why I have not been able to ask these face to face. However, any answers to these questions or a referal to someone who could answer them would be greatly appreciated.

the questions are as follows:

  1. Whilst working in jewelry workshop, do you have your phone on you/ use it often?
  2. Roughly how much money do you estimate you spent on safety equipment?
  3. Do you feel safe whilst working in your workshop environment?
  4. How many hours a day do you spend in the workshop?
  5. Does your workshop contain multiple rooms or just one?
  6. Do you often find that you’re more concentrated on making the jewelry than your own safety?
  7. Do you have a system in place to ventilate your workshop and if so, what system?
  8. If a small, out-of-the-way ventilator for your workshop was available on the market for a small price, would this interest you?
  9. How often do you find yourself getting light-headed or dizzy when working?

thankyou for your time

Rebecca

2

I’m designing my workshop area now.
so, I’ll answer as if I was working.
nope no phone.
basic goggles, gloves for chemicals, overalls and that’s it
3-4
ideally 2 rooms
yes
yes, window ventilation, but if I was using liver of sulphur everything open
yes - especially in winter
never.

3

1I have my phone in the window of my workshop, so I can see sales come in.
2 Probably spent about £1000 on safety, mostly on extractors.
3 yes feel safe
4 currently I spend about 6 hours a day in my workshop
5 2 rooms workshop and office
6 yes fully focused on the making.
7 I have Nederman fume extraction/ filtration units and a dust extractor on my polishing unit. I also have a covered open air area for chemical processes like oxidising and etching.
8 I am fully fitted for air extraction/ ventilation, so no.
9 never