Artisans & Ergonomics

Every year in October we celebrate and promote Fair Trade. Although the term is not well known (yet) by many people, many of our customers do care and seek out brands that follow the principles of Fair Trade, brands that prioritize people and the planet before profit. There are 9 principles of fair trade which include paying promptly and fairly, supporting safe working conditions, protecting children, cultivating environmental stewardship, respecting cultural identity, seeking out new market opportunities, developing transparent relationships, building capacity and promoting fair trade. You may remember past blog posts we wrote about Fair Trade that have included Preserving Cultural Heritage and Packaging for the Planet.  

Weaving and sewing can be physically taxing just like any other repetitive activity.  Many years ago we were approached by Karen Piegorsch. Karen is a weaver from the U.S. with degrees in physical therapy, industrial engineering and public health. Working with a Maya community she created an ergonomically correct bench for weaving. Traditionally the weavers weave on their knees on the ground. The bench has a foot rest that provides a weaver with leverage and stability and a specially shaped seat with a curved bottom to make it easier to rock back and forth.  When Karen approached us, we weren’t aware that the backstrap weavers were in pain. Their resounding “Yes!” when asked made us agree to participate in the project. Karen’s first step was giving the women a class on ergonomics. Ergonomics is the study of people’s work environment and finding ways to modify their surroundings to eliminate injury or discomfort. But the most important message of the class was that you shouldn’t experience pain while you are working! That was a novel idea for the women. Karen worked with a local carpentry to make the benches, and the foot loom weavers wove the fabric for the cushions, then the seamstresses made the cushions. Testimonies from the backstrap weavers were abundant, and they are still in use today. 

Subsequently the seamstresses raised the issue that they felt pain while they were sewing at their machines, and their eyes hurt at the end of the day. The solution for their back pain was new chairs with cushions so they could sit up straight and still sit comfortably.  The solution for their eyes was installing direct lighting. Soon after, the foot loom weavers requested improved lighting over their looms, too. 

Over the years we have had consultants come in to work with the women to continue this process and identify ways to improve. Kate Cowell, a wellness consultant from California came and worked with the women of the cooperative just before the pandemic. Listening to the foot loom weavers talk about the pain they felt while weaving, she recommended planning breaks every half an hour in order to stretch and walk around. 

The seamstresses identified the pain that cutting cloth caused in their hands, so they all use ergonomic scissors for that part of their work. Applying ergonomic principles to this artisanal work – along with the idea that you shouldn’t have to experience pain while you work – has made for a healthier group of artisans!