Working posture

For those who have just received their IIC newsletter and read over
it, I hope it did not cause a pain in the neck.  Viewing the images
of people working at tables, craning over their projects made my
muscles ache.  I am sure that the health and safety committees of
the AIC and ICC have addressed this issue, but it is typical of what
I see in lab after lab across the globe.  When I was in my 20s I
thought nothing of working locked in that position for hours.  As I
aged in my 40s the arthritis became noticeable.  Of course, not
everyone is susceptible to arthritis, but I urge people of whatever
age to change position often, get up and walk around, and wear a
neck brace to keep your chin elevated.  As I said, I defer to the
appropriate medical authority our organizations have consulted with
for more detail but working conditions have been not a focus in the
time I have been a professional.  I hope they will come to the fore
in the future.

Niccolo Caldararo, Ph.D.
Director and Chief Conservator
Conservation Art Service


                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 26:6
                   Distributed: Monday, July 2, 2012
                        Message Id: cdl-26-6-004
                                  ***