Pregnancy is an incredible journey, and if you're a jeweler, you're also navigating the unique challenges of keeping yourself and your baby safe while you work (with NO relevant information out there). When I was pregnant with my son, I was surprised and a little frustrated by how hard it was to find a good, comprehensive safety guide for jewelers. In fact, I never found one! So, I decided to put one together myself, pulling from real data and expert advice, to help you navigate this special time with confidence.
I've always been a little health conscious when it comes to working in the studio (mostly as a result of some allergic reactions when I was an undergraduate in college), but as of late (and additional health issues) -- I've become even more aware of the toxins around me, particularly while working in the jewelry studio.
1. Breathe Easy: The Power of Good Ventilation + Wear the PPE
Working with a torch, chemicals, and polishing dust can create some not-so-great fumes and particulate. In my experience, not many jewelers or workshops take the adequate precautions on a daily basis, let along during the super sensitive time of pregnancy. During pregnancy, your body is extra sensitive, toxins can cross the placenta to your fragile, developing fetus, and good air quality is more important than ever.
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Exhaust Tips: Think of your ventilation system as your best friend. A local exhaust system is the most effective way to grab fumes and dust right at the source. Make sure it's running well and maintained, and that it is NOT pulling air and particulate across or in front of your face, and that it is actually pulling fumes away from you. This is particularly important if your ventilation solution serves multiple workstations. I have seen studio situations that had technically great ventilation, but it wasn't set up in a way that was pulling fumes away properly.
On top of that, open a window or use a fan to keep the air moving throughout your studio.
Look at the CFM's of any unit you're considering, and I have always opted for 'overkill'. Also know that each bend in a pipe reduces the suction power significantly. Do your best to run straight ducts and try to keep your fan close to your work station(s) for the best pull. A desktop or free-standing unit is a great idea if you're not comfortable installing a fan and ductwork, and it's mobile -- which is a better solution if your studio situation is not permanent or you are working for someone else and have minimal control over this aspect of the studio setup.
An additional consideration is general air purification. Using something like an Air Doctor or Jaspr not only reduces the contaminants in the air from your bench work and jewelry-related tasks, but it also removes VOCS and other unwanted particles from the air you breathe (that come from fixtures, rugs, paint, cleaning supplies, building materials, and organics that may be living in your space -- like bacteria, viruses, and mold). It's amazing how much toxic stuff we breathe in on a daily basis. A word of warning -- this is information you can't un-know if you go down this rabbit hole. -
PPE Tips: Not glamorous, and not fun to wear, especially when you're feeling gigantic and out of breath -- believe me, I know. I was pregnant through COVID, so I wore masks non-stop--at the bench and beyond. This is something I have honestly never seen jewelers do -- but it's super important to reduce inhalation of the materials we work with.
I prefer wearing a small particulate grade canister respirator at the bench and when investing. I actually think they're more comfortable and easier to breathe through than the N-95 masks we all got used to during the pandemic. Think about it: Every rubber wheel, polishing tool, and sandpaper wheel you wear down as you're working puts polymers, rubbers, and glues into the air, and your face is just inches away from where this work takes place. If I'm back and forth with customers, the N-95 is a little easier to manage, but if I have the choice, I go for the particulate mast.
NOTE: These are not all created equal. There are different canisters for different purposes, and what is good for bench work is not the same as what's good for plating fumes. I would use organic vapor cartridges for fumes and vapors, while small particulate grade would be fine for working at a polisher or for most bench tasks.
I also switched from all of my 'normal' polishing compounds to Rio's Luxi line of compounds because they were marketed as a safer option.
I, personally, would (and did) extend this concern to working with wax and wax-working tools. Burning wax is technically combustion, and combusted materials can be more toxic than the same materials at room temperature. There's a reason we vent burnout kilns to the EXTERIOR of a building. If this isn't happening in your space -- that's a whole other problem.
I mention this because I once worked in a shop where these noxious fumes were exhausted INTO the space above the business and all of the other businesses in the shopping center: a BIG, toxic no-no!
2. Check the Labels: Handling Chemicals Safely
Pickling solutions, solvents, plating solutions, and other chemicals are a part of the trade, but some can be harmful when inhaled OR when absorbed through the skin. It's smart to be extra cautious now.
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My Tip: Always, and I mean always, check the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for every chemical you use. They're your guide to safe handling, and they'll tell you exactly what kind of personal protective equipment (PPE) you need. This might include wearing different gloves than usual, like nitrile instead of latex, and using safety glasses or even an organic acids rated respirator. When in doubt, see if there’s a less-toxic alternative you can use, but when you must -- wear ALL of the recommended PPE. This usually means gloves, goggles, and a mask.
I was surprised to find that even my 3D printer MSDS recommends long sleeves and ZERO fume inhalation -- with ventilation to the exterior -- and it uses 'less toxic' resins that some others on the market. I have honestly never seen anyone take this level of precaution with these resins. I personally have moved my printer into an adjacent, otherwise unused room so that it's no longer in my office. That room has an air purifier in it, and I wear gloves anytime I am handling uncured resin or parts. I almost always have glasses on, too, and I am very careful not to spill or drip resin onto myself or my work space. I also NEVER carve cured resins -- I had terrible allergic reactions to the dust from carving resins touching my skin in the past -- so I don't risk it.
3. Minimize Physical Strain
Your body is working hard to grow a baby, and you might feel it more in your back, feet, and joints. Repetitive tasks and long hours on your feet can take a toll. If you're not working at the appropriate bench height -- now's the time to address that.
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My Tips: Listen to what your body is telling you. Take more breaks to sit, stretch, and walk around. If you're on your feet a lot, a good anti-fatigue mat can be a lifesaver! I have one at my polisher since my studio has concrete floors.
Also, don't be afraid to rearrange your workspace to be more ergonomic. I found I preferred to stand to do CAD work and computer/email work when I was pregnant. I also found I preferred a saddle stool for support versus a normal rolling chair or stool. I also tried to keep polishing to a minimum, and tried to avoid getting compound all over my skin when possible. I would batch polish and wear long sleeves or a welding jacket to reduce contact.
I also worked way too far into my pregnancy -- up until the point that I was told to take a non-voluntary bed rest -- but if I'm being honest, I feel like that was several weeks too late. I should have called it sooner, and I didn't. I was checked out mentally, and although I was getting sh*t done, I didn't feel like working, and I probably would have appreciated a mental break before diving into 34 hours of unmedicated labor (not that you have to follow that plan, obviously).
4. Trust Your Gut: Listen to Your Body
This is probably the most important tip of all. You are the expert on your body.
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My Tip: Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about your work. They can offer personalized advice based on your specific health needs and the details of your job. And remember, it’s okay to modify your schedule, take more breaks, ask a co-worker to take on certain tasks that worry you (or outsource it), and trade tasks/temporarily adjust the kind of work you’re doing. This is a special time, and it's only temporary. Your (and baby's) well-being should always come first.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can continue creating beautiful pieces while feeling confident that you’re creating a safe, healthy growing environment for baby.
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