 |
 |
|
|
||
|
||
|
| Recent Archives |
Established in 1947, Lapidary Journal has been the authority on what's current in the gem and jewelry world for over half a century. The vast library of issues that have been created over the years is like a diary -- a record to what was going on in the industry at any given moment. Just as it's fun to read old entries in your personal journal, we at Lapidary Journal thought it would be a good time to begin reminiscing on topics past, to see what has changed over time and what has remained the same. Starting with the June 1954 issue, each month we will take a look back to an issue 50 years old. If readers are interested in receiving photocopies of these or any past articles, please send us an e-mail with the subject line of "reprints." The July/August 1955 issue was 6-1/2" x 9-3/4", unlike today's dimensions of 8-1/4" x 10-3/4". It was not until 1960 that the size changed for the first time. It was a bi-monthly magazine and the newsstand price was $0.50 per copy. Refuse to Be Blind Back in the July/August issue of 1955, Warren S. Haver, President of the Red Hill Grinding Wheel Corporation, wrote an article examining the statistics and, more importantly, dangers of the grinding wheel. As necessary as they are, grinding wheels are extremely hazardous to your eyesight if precautions are not taken. Think about this for a second: Haver's article was published 50, yes fifty, years ago, and many artists still don't think to put on safety glasses when partaking in activities involving flying objects. Haver pointed it out rather eloquently in 1955: "You'd be amazed at the number of people, in industrial plants, occupying jobs involving eye hazards, who fight like tigers to avoid protecting their eyesight." Not having the ability to see your final creation would be a heartbreaking disappointment for you and those who share the same lapidary interests. August of 2005 is Eye Injury Prevention Month. Let's review some statistics to remind us why protective eyewear is so important. According to Prevent Blindness America, over 2,000 people will suffer an eye injury today while at work. One-tenth will need to take at least a day off to recover, and 10-20 percent of the total injuries will cause temporary or permanent blindness. The experts responsible for the study also estimate that 90 percent of the injuries would be much less severe, or even avoidable, if eye protection is used. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics put these numbers into better perspective when it comes to grinding wheels. In their study, they found that a whopping 70 percent of the injuries came from flying or falling objects, or sparks striking the eye. Worker estimation put the sizes of said flying objects at "smaller than a pinhead," and most were said to be traveling faster than a hand-thrown object. Throw a baseball as hard as you can and picture its trajectory. Now, picture a fleck of mineral or a piece of break-off from a grinding wheel, traveling even faster towards your eye. Sounds somewhat uncomforting, doesn't it? The barrier: safety glasses. Sure, they might not be the latest, trendiest fashion accessories, but you want to keep your vision intact. They come in various styles, shapes, and sizes, and are affordable for anyone. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, "eye and face protection must be selected on the basis of hazards to which the worker is exposed (i.e., impact, penetration, compression, chemical, heat, harmful dust, light radiation, or combination)." While all of those factors don't directly apply to grinding wheels, it's easy to see which ones do. The eyewear should also carry certification by the American National Standards Institute. Currently, there are two certifications for lenses: basic and high impact. For the basic test, a one-inch steel ball is dropped on the lens from a height of 50 inches. The high impact test is more stringent, where a 1/4 inch steel ball is shot directly at the lens at varying velocities. Eyewear that has passed the basic test should fare adequately for the lapidary using a grinder, but high impact carries the highest level of peace of mind. Prevent Blindness America also gives these tips highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of different lens types:
Regardless of which lens type you choose, besure the frames fit as close as possible to the face, and that the frames have side shields. Prescription eyeglass wearers should also invest, because the spaces between the cheekbones on standard frames are normally more than large enough for something to get through. As an eyeglass wearer who sustained an eye injury while working a summer job, I can vouch for this. While grinding a chrome closet pipe on a bench grinder, a spark made its way through the small gap and into my eye. I spent the rest of the day in the Emergency Room and thankfully, I still have vision in both my eyes. Safety glasses fit comfortably over glasses and don't impair or distort vision, even during closeup work. All of us at LJ encourage you to invest in eye protection if you don't already have it. We would be disappointed to think that some might not be able to read this page because of a small but significant oversight. A value cannot be placed on your precious vision. More highlights from our archives coming next month from the September/October 1955 Lapidary Journal. |
Index of Past Issues | Buy Back Issues Online
|
________________________________________________________________ Feature Stories & Artist Profiles | Step-by-Step Projects & Workshops | Technique Articles | Business Articles | New Products | News, Conferences, & Deadlines | Take our Reader Survey
Articles & Workshops | Bead Fest | Jewelry Classes | Show Calendar | Search for Products & Suppliers | Classified Ad Deals | Advertising Rates & Information | Media Reviews | Store - Books & Back Issues | Contact Us | Links | Site Map
About Us | Subscribe to Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist | Subscription Customer Service/Account Lookup Contact
us. |
