We all know that any occupation which involves working with glass needs to be carried out very carefully. From glass ornament makers to bottling plants, glass has the potential to cause serious injury if it is handled incorrectly and it can inflict severe cuts and other serious injuries.
With regards to the health and safety of working with glass, most of the legislation deals with issues relating to glass in windows and doors in workplaces and the work of glaziers and installers, although anybody who works with glass, no matter what their occupation, will be required to at least adhere to the legislation laid out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Legislation Specifically Related to Glass Manufacture and Installation
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations of 1992 included specific requirements for glazing and these were backed up when they also implemented Regulation 14 which formed part of the EC Workplace Directive.
Regulation 14 required that every window or any kind of other transparent surface contained within the workplace – whether it be a door, partition, gate etc., should either be made of safety materials, protected against the possibility of breakage or be clearly signed or marked to make it apparent to those who came into contact with it. However, this directive only applies in cases where there may be a risk of people suffering an accident or injury by coming into direct contact with the glass or as a result of it breaking by some other means as Regulation 14 only specifies that these additional precautions must be taken “where necessary for reasons of health and safety.” Therefore, a full risk assessment is vital.
Risk Assessment
The types of issues of concern when it comes to a risk assessment being carried out are the location of the glazing, the amount of people plus any traffic that will be passing by in close proximity and the type of activities which are taking place close to the glazing itself. Doors and gates are particularly vulnerable where the surface which is either translucent or transparent is at or below shoulder level and in objects like windows, partitions and glass walls, if they are at waist height or below, they also constitute a greater element of risk.
Action
The action which should be taken to minimise the risk of injury or accidents will vary depending on different circumstances but can include re-routing pedestrians and/or vehicles or erecting barriers to prevent people coming into close contact with any glazing. Applying a safety film around it, if the glass object is an appropriate shape and size, will also help to prevent it shattering should it get broken. Visibly marking it will also enable people nearby to be aware of the potential dangers and stop them from bumping into it.
Safety Glass
These days, technological advancements have meant that glass products or substitutes for them are a lot safer than they were previously. Today British Standard 6262: Part 4: 1994 Code of Practice for Glazing for Buildings states that glazing used in ‘critical locations’ (such as those which have been described above) in buildings must be safe. There is now tempered (toughened) glass, laminated glass and wired glass which all help to improve safety and greatly reduce the risk of injury.
Share Your Story, Join the Discussion or Seek Advice..
Does anyone know what the law is on carrying glass from a van transporting double glazed units to a property. Parking is a real issue and traffic wardens keen to fine.Can’t always plan weeks ahead n get permits from the council.
Lew - 14-Oct-19 @ 6:26 PM
what safety precaution in glass processing work ?
shahbaz - 15-Mar-18 @ 11:58 AM
My landlord had the windows in our rental replaced. The window people laid down the old windows in the driveway on top of a tarp and smashed them before removing them.
My driveway is now full of tiny pieces of glass and my son has already cut his feet twice.
I've emailed the agent to get them to come back to clean it up but my concern is that they did this in the first place.
Shouldn't these sorts of trades have guidelines?
Evka Re: How Many Breaks am I Entitled to?
Miss U, contact the employment tribunal because your com0any owns youa loooot of money now. The penalty can be really high.
3 October 2020
keegz !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Re: Forklift Truck Safety
heyyyyyyyyy guyyyssssssss keegz here just thought i would check in on ALLLLL of you i miss you all SOOOOOOO much love and miss you…
Re: A Guide to Manual Handling and Lifting Techniques
Where are the guidelines that specify "no man should attempt to lift anything heavier than 25kg and a…
Re: Can I Leave the Premises on my Lunch Break?
I work in a care home i work 14 hour shifts I am give 2x 30 mins unpaid break, but I'm am not aloud to leave to…
Re: Legal Minimum Temperature in a Warehouse?
I work in a warehouse with 8 shutter doors, always open it’s always a lot colder in the warehouse even in the…
Re: Legal Minimum Temperature in a Warehouse?
I work in a warehouse with 8 shutter doors, always open it’s always a lot colder in the warehouse even in the…
Re: Forklift Truck Safety
Which way can you driver a counterbalance forktruck up an aisle in a warehouse forward or in reverse?
Re: Can I Leave the Premises on my Lunch Break?
when did this law change and who changed it ? what happened to the factories acts ? I remember this act it said…
Re: Can I Leave the Premises on my Lunch Break?
I work 12.5 hours days or nights. I do not get paid for my hour break i work at a hospital and I have been told…
Re: How Many Breaks am I Entitled to?
If you work a 14.5 shift how many breaks by law are you entitled to have
Re: How Many Breaks am I Entitled to?
Miss U, contact the employment tribunal because your com0any owns youa loooot of money now. The penalty can be really high.
Re: Forklift Truck Safety
heyyyyyyyyy guyyyssssssss keegz here just thought i would check in on ALLLLL of you i miss you all SOOOOOOO much love and miss you…