Ergonomics is, essentially, the creation of a comfortable workplace that suits the individual worker or, in this case, artist. Each artist is different and unique and his or her personal requirements will differ. As such, there is no such thing as a "one size fits all" workstation or desk, and there will not be a particularly right or wrong way to approach a glass artwork station - especially considering all the different glass art forms you might undertake. The key is to understanding one's own personal preferences, the amount of time you will be spending creating your art work, and the size and shape of your body. Another important consideration when designing an ergonomic environment for glass art work is to understand the type of art that you will be creating.
Ergonomics, of course, isn't merely about the work area but also about the job itself and the equipment that is used. For example, an individual who sits at a desk working on a computer for eight hours a day will need to analyse and evaluate their wrist position when using the keyboard as well as the height of the computer monitor. In the same way a glass artists should build a setting in which your body is at its most comfortable for both short and long durations. A comfortable body means that, as the work progresses and moves from minutes to hours, the mind will continue to focus on the work itself and not on shifting or attempting to relieve pain or discomfort at any time.
Ergonomics deals with understanding how our environment affects our mental and physical state and conversely, in the field of glass art, how the environment affects the art itself. The first, and primary, step in creating a positive ergonomic environment in which to create your glass art is to think about comfort. Do you prefer or does your work dictate that you are standing for long durations or sitting? Whichever it is for you, you will want to be able to work comfortably, which means that your arms should be bent comfortably at approximately a ninety-degree angle to your body when working on the glass art. A table that is too low or too high will lead to discomfort and potential issues such as RSI (repetitive strain injury) and deep vein thrombosis (if you are sitting for long periods).
Accommodating any physical ailments is also important. If your eyesight isn't great, if you have trouble seeing up close, or at a distance, then you may want to consider shifting the height of your workstation, or adding a magnifying glass under which you place your work.
Another important factor in a positive ergonomic environment for glass artists is lighting. Lighting is perhaps one of the most overlooked, yet important, features in glass art. Setting up proper lighting will help not only your eyes (to avoid fatigue or strain) but will also show the true colours of the glass that you are working on and any faults in your work. Natural lighting is ideal, but rarely practical. Fortunately, there are many different artificial lights that can be purchased that use spectrum light or true light, meaning that your final product will look the same outdoors as it does within your personal studio.
Remember to have frequent breaks (preferably once an hour for 5-10 mins) and stretch your arms, roll your shoulders, gently swing your legs and rotate your ankles. And don't forget to have water with you (covered in a workshop environment or stored away from particles) - working with hot glass or getting lost in the moment for hours can mean you will get dehydrated and it may become harder to concentrate, which is when accidents happen.
Ergonomics is crucial to a positive work environment and can dramatically affect in a positive manner - the glass artwork itself - and your ongoing health.
Further information: Wikipedia - Ergonomics
