Employee Safety in the Flat Glass Industry

Working within the glass industry can be as safe as working in any other industry sector provided that safe working practices are used utilizing the appropriate personal protective equipment supplied. Remember that glass is fragile and, when broken, will cut any soft material with which it comes into contact, but it does not even need to break to cause injury because, a cut edge is always present. This post contains advice, gained by years of experience, on how to avoid accidents within this industry. Read it carefully and then study the published Safety Policy of your Employer. Your whole future could depend on this.

There is a need to understand the difference between hazard and risk:

Hazard: A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm. Examples of typical hazards are – electricity, materials and substances, working at heights etc.

Risk: Risk is the chance of harm occurring due to the hazard present. Risk is a combination of likelihood and severity. In other words risk is a consideration of what the odds are of harm occurring, together with the consequences if the harm does occur.

All activities at work require a risk assessment to be undertaken and recorded. Actions must then be taken to reduce all risks to a minimum.

The risk assessment is something that you do every day without realising it. Take an example of crossing the road. The risk assessment consists of checking if there are cars coming in either direction and then making a decision whether to cross or wait. Another example would be while driving. Approaching traffic lights on red, an assessment is made to wait because the risk of proceeding is very high. Conversely if they are on green there is no need to stop, as the risk is relatively small. Hence, in a nutshell, a risk assessment is the consideration of the risk involved in any activity and then deciding what action to take to minimise it.

As a further example, consider a ladder. A risk assessment as to whether to use such a ladder would take into account the condition which is clearly not acceptable because of rungs and stiles broken, split stiles, poor repairs, inadequate support etc. The course of action in this case would be to obtain a properly constructed and regularly inspected ladder, have it placed on a firm level surface and properly secured (lashed at the top, foots at the bottom etc.)

Risk assessments need to be recorded only where the risk is significant (complicated).

Do not wear loose clothing.

Personal Protective Equipment will be provided in situations where a risk assessment has indicated that this will reduce the risk to personal injury. This equipment must be used as detailed in the risk assessment. If for any reason this equipment is not available then you must not start the work activity and you must inform the appropriate company manager. Eyesight is precious, and many jobs require eye protection by law as a sensible precaution against injury. Special spectacles or goggles are provided, and if in any doubt at all - wear them. Come to work daily properly dressed for the job that you have to do. For instance, do not wear loose clothing which could catch in machinery or projecting glass. Safety shoes or boots with protective toecaps should be worn where the risk assessments shows this is a requirement. If you consider that improved protective clothing could be worn you should approach your Supervisor or Safety Officer with your suggestion.

Do not forget to protect your eyes.

Safe handling of glass is an essential part of avoiding accidents. All employees must receive instructions and training for the handling of glass products. If in any doubt about handling the products consult your Supervisor/Manager. Always avoid handling glass on slippery, uneven floors. and through restricted access areas.

Remember, that when handling outside or in a doorway, wind pressure can cause a large sheet of glass to become unmanageable. Always obtain adequate assistance before handling in such conditions. Helmets should be worn where the risk assessments show this is a requirement together with hand and wrist protection. This will apply particularly to installation/construction sites. Broken glass (cullet) is dangerous if left lying around so put it in the bin safely and appropriately wrapped if necessary.

Safety shoes or boots are a wise investment.

When unloading from lorries read any warning notices, which sometimes appear on loose loads. Always ensure that glass is leaning back at such an angle that there is no chance of it falling forward before removing the securing pads. Once unloading has started, the driver must not be asked to move the vehicle if the load is unsecured. When unpacking a case with a side lid always lean it back against something solid so that the glass does not fall out. Do not leave nails protruding from the top of crates. Remove them or knock them in so that you cannot catch your hand or the glass on them. Do not leave case lids on the floor with nails protruding upwards. When loading a centre wheeled type of truck do not place all the glass at one side. See that the load is evenly balanced.

Don't leave nails protruding.

Safe stacking of glass is vitally important both to the persons involved in the stacking and passers-by after the glass has been stacked, glass should always be racked in special purpose racks. Never stack glass horizontally and never stand it directly upon a stone or cement floor. Glass which is vented (cracked) must never knowingly be racked. When taking a sheet of figured stock from a rack, a light shake will tell you if it is vented before lifting it. Always clear cullet from the racks before stacking glass as this can cause vents in the stock sheets. Never attempt to catch falling glass. Do not be tempted to save time by holding sheets of glass away from the

Never attempt to catch falling glass.

main stack in order to obtain a different sheet from the rear. Always remove and stack the front sheets until the sheet required is easily accessible.

Do not be tempted to save time by holding sheets
of glass away from the main stack in order
to obtain a sheet from the rear.

The arms and legs should do the work

Injuries caused by strains and sprains are among the most prevalent. A useful tip for avoiding strains when lifting is to remember that the lifting should be done from knees bent position with the back as straight as possible. The muscles of the arms and legs should do the work not the back. Grip with the palms of the hands and the base of the fingers, not the tips. It is important to realise that there is a correct way of lifting and if you are handling glass manually as a routine part of your work you should receive training on how to do so safely. Before any lifting is undertaken assess the lifting needs and the methods available.

Always look where you are going.

When moving about your place of work, always look where you are going. It is quite easy to walk into glass without realising that it is there. Walk – do not ever run – and keep to gangways as far as possible. A short cut through glass racks can be a short cut to injury.

Many accidents are due to thoughtless actions involving the use of machinery and you are reminded that it is a breach of the law to operate, maintain, clean or alter settings on a machine in motion with guards removed. All persons who use machines should be trained, but because of the increased risks woodworking machinists and those using abrasive wheels and circular saws must have completed a special training programme. Any fault in machinery must of course be reported to a responsible person. Sizes and weights of the glass being processed must not exceed that which can be safely handled. If in doubt, consult your Supervisor for guidance. It is the user’s responsibility to report immediately any broken safety equipment.

Only trained and authorized persons must operate a crane or mechanical lifting gear. It is essential to check that the operating conditions for the lifting gear has a current test certificate. Keep well clear of loads being raised or lowered by cranes and never stand beneath them. Always use lifting equipment within its safe working load. Always inspect lifting equipment prior to use. Never use defective equipment and always report defects in such equipment immediately.

Do not stand beneath loads being raised by crane.

All electrical equipment can be dangerous. Never interfere with it and do not attempt to do repairs yourself. Call upon the qualified person to do this work. Report any fault in appliances or wiring immediately. Before using any electrical hand tools, check the integrity of plug and cable and ensure there is a current test certificate.

Do not attempt to do repairs yourself.

Check the condition of a ladder before use.

Ladders must be in a safe condition for use. They should be leant at an angle of 1 in 4 and secured preferably at the top. If this is not possible, it should be securely fixed at the bottom or a person stationed at the bottom to prevent slipping. There are propriety securing aids to achieve this. Where a ladder is in use near a doorway, the door should be locked or fastened back. After use, return the ladder to its appropriate storage place. Beware of overhead cables.

Obtain first aid treatment at once.

If you injure yourself, no matter how slightly, obtain first aid treatment at once and report the injury to the Supervisor so that there is a permanent record of the injury. If you experience a severe cut you need to apply direct pressure over the wound immediately, and then assistance from a qualified first aider should be sought. It is in your own interest to ensure that accident details are recorded in the Company Accident Register. Germs can develop in even the slightest injury and the recording of an injury could be important to you.

Fire is a threat both to your safety and your job. Only smoke in the designated areas and always extinguish matches, cigarettes and pipes safely. Should you discover a fire, then report it immediately to the Supervisor and carry out the company documented procedures in the Health and Safety arrangements.

A threat to your safety.

Pay careful attention to the loading and unloading of vehicles. Glass in transit must be firmly secured. Always be sure that the route you follow contains no height restrictions that would impede your vehicle and cause you to have an accident.

Make sure you follow a route where
obstructions will not impede your progress.

Glass in transit must be firmly secured.

As a driver, make a rule always to carefully examine the security of your load before pulling away; bearing in mind the possibility that you might have to make an emergency stop. At your destination, ensure that your vehicle is level before untying your load and never move the vehicle – even a short distance – without securing your load again. Apart from the serious threat to the safety of yourself and others, an insecure load can, of course, lead to prosecution.

Newcomers to building sites should be especially careful when working alongside, other trades, which may provide their own particular hazards. In glass handling, particular attention must be paid to conditions underfoot such as mud, uneven ground, ice and possible obstructions. Ensure that ladders are securely fastened, that scaffold planking is supported at both ends and that underfoot conditions are safe on the planks before you carry glass on such walkways.

Roof workers should seek guidance from the Supervisor to establish the safe system of working for each particular job since conditions vary considerably. Remember too that other workers on site might be unaware of the presence of glass in windows, which previously were open frames. This is usually remedied by smearing the pane with whiting or applying tape diagonally to draw the attention of other workmen. When handling large plates take careful note of the instructions given by the Supervisor.

Make sure scaffold boards are supported at both ends.

It is the Supervisor’s responsibility to co-ordinate the actions of all the handling gang to effect a safe operation. Stacking of glass on site requires careful thought regarding the safe method and position. Exposure to wind and rain and, obstruction to other workers are points that need to be considered. Good storage practice should include standing the bottom edge on a suitable soft material such as wood or insulating board offcuts etc. On building sites there are specific regulations in force to facilitate safe working conditions. These will apply to cranes, access equipment, lifting equipment, electrical power supply and personal protective equipment Make sure that rules and any notices displayed are observed. They are made in your interests

The idea of this post is to guide you in how to avoid an accident, which could cause pain and suffering – not to mention financial hardship. Remember that you must read and comply with your Company’s Health and Safety Policy. It is a legal offence not to conform with the directives within this policy.

TAKE CARE, NOT CHANCES

Reference: Glass & Glazing Federation, Employee Safety Booklet.