Occupational Health and Safety in the Jewelry Industry: Chemical, Physical, Ergonomic, and Psycho-Social Risks
Chapter from the book:
Hatipoğlu,
M.
(ed.)
2025.
Gemology and Jewelry.
Synopsis
The jewellery industry comprises multiple production stages, including the melting of precious metals (gold, silver, and platinum group materials), alloying, casting, welding, finishing, stone setting, polishing, electroplating, and final delivery to consumers. These processes require intensive manual labor and high levels of fine motor skill, while simultaneously exposing workers to complex and multi-dimensional occupational health and safety (OHS) risks.
This study presents a practically applicable risk assessment matrix tailored for jewellery workshops, three representative case studies, an OHS inspection checklist suitable for field audits, a structured training module covering core safety topics, and a model OHS plan framework. The objective is to provide a scientifically robust and practice-oriented framework to support the prevention of occupational accidents and work-related diseases in the jewellery sector.
