Safe and Healthy Spaces
(Chapter 23 from Square Feet Chicago: The Artist's Guide to Buying and Leasing Space)
Work-related health problems can be a serious concern for almost anyone in the visual or performing arts. The hazardous conditions and materials found in many industrial workplaces can also be found in many art workspaces. When hazards are identified in an industrial workplace, safety training and information may be required, but these resources are less often available to artists who work alone or in small groups. The lack of awareness of these hazards, combined with poor access to safety information, training, and protective equipment can make an art workplace especially hazardous.
Other factors can also make an art space a hazardous place to work. Artists may work or practice for extended periods of time, often far beyond the usual work day or work week hours. This can be especially dangerous if they work in hazardous settings or in close contact with hazardous materials. Even if health and safety precautions are usually followed, preparing for a show can lead to such focus on the work, that artists may disregard their symptoms, safety, and other concerns as they push to meet deadlines.
Although many art-related hazards may not appear especially dangerous at first, they can lead to serious health problems that can affect an artist's health, life and ability to work. Painters can develop neurological and other disorders from long-term solvent exposures. Musicians can develop permanent hearing loss from exposure to loud music even in acoustic settings. Pottery artists may find that they are unable to continue work at the wheel because of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or other hand-wrist problems from extended work schedules. These work-related disorders can disable visual and performing artists during their most productive years, when work activities and the associated exposures may be at their peak.
Work-related disorders and injuries in the arts are preventable. This chapter focuses on some basic ways you can prevent these disorders by eliminating or reducing the hazards in your art practices and workplace. The information provided here is meant to be general in nature. However, keep in mind that your art-related activities and setting are likely to have some unique safety issues, so be prepared to do additional resource. You are encouraged to explore this chapter’s resource section for further help to ensure your work is free of recognized hazards.
View the rest of this Chapter in Square Feet