Glass Safety Tips for Manufacturers and Commercial Glass Handling

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Glass Safety Tips for Manufacturers and
Commercial Glass Handling
Glass is a fragile material with a plethora of
applications in residential and commercial
projects. The glass industry is growing with
every passing day. More and more glass
fabricators and glaziers are entering the market.
However, handling glass in its primitive form is
not a childs play. Mishandling the glass sheets
can result in severe cuts, injuries, and even
death. Such accidents can be avoided by
following safety measures. The experts have
stated strict precautionary rules for handling
the glass. Here, we will discuss the safety tips
when dealing with glass. Safety Tips for the
Employees In the glass industry, the employees
who are directly handling the glass sheets are
particularly vulnerable to accidents. So we will
discuss some general rules and tips for the
workers, first.
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• Glass Carrying Techniques

The workers are often involved in loading and
unloading the glass sheets. Make sure to carry
the glass to your side. Use both of your hands
to handle the glass sheet no matter how
lightweight it is. It seems easy though, but
never carry the glass sheet under your arm or
over your head. Always use two employees to move
larger glass sheets. Don't rush, move slowly and
in harmony with the other person. Always wear
safety gear before handling the glass. Check the
glass before moving it. Make sure that it isn't
damaged to avoid any spontaneous breakage. Use
the proper hand and body positions to handle the
glass. Keep the corners of the glass sheets safe
by avoiding bumping into any surface. When
setting the glass on the floor, gently place the
long side of the glass first. Prefer placing the
glass on soft or padded surfaces. You can also
use blankets or other cushioning agents to keep
the glass safe.
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• Using the Safety Equipment

Special safety gear is designed for the glass
industry workers according to their job
specifications. The glass handlers usually use
cut-resistant gloves, sleeves, and aprons while
the glass molders are directed to use
heat-resistant safety equipment. Whatever your
job duties are, make sure to wear the safety
equipment. Replace the damaged safety gear with a
new one right away. Prevention is better than
cure so never twirl thumbs on wearing the safety
equipment. The supervisors should direct strict
orders for the workers to put on the safety gear.
They should ensure that the safety gear is
functional and the work environment is safe for
the workers.
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• Handling the Broken Glass

Broken glass is a common sight in the glass
industry. Even with safety measures, it's
subjective that you would see some glass pieces
on the floor. Therefore, it's necessary that
everyone who enters the glass industry has
safety shoes on. Sometimes, small and almost
invisible shards are on the floor that is enough
to cause an injury. If you see broken glass,
don't stand or walk on it, even with safety shoes
on. No matter how amusing you find it, never
crush the broken glass into smaller pieces with
your foot or hand. Don't pick up the broken
glass with your hands. Never hold on to the
broken glass sheet to try and stop it from
breaking any further. Move out of the way and go
to a safe space.
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• Working with Glass

Working with glass is quite challenging. You have
to follow multiple safety guidelines to keep
yourself safe. Educate yourself with the safety
protocols. Be mindful of the hazards all the
time. Be aware of your surroundings and the team
members all the time. Inspect each element for
any potential hazard before using it. Keep the
simple safety rules in mind and use them to avoid
any undesirable situation. One of the most
popular tasks is glass cutting. If you are
handling the orders of custom cut glass, mirror
cut to size, glass shelves cut to size, or
tempered glass cut to size, make sure to use the
safety goggles and gloves to keep yourself safe.
Creating custom cut glass is trickier than any
other job so make sure to take the necessary
precautionary measures. The manufacturing process
of tempered glass cut to size is also quite
extensive and grave, so be conscious of the
risks. Glass goes through different manufacturing
steps to achieve the custom cut glass, glass
shelves cut to size, and mirrors cut to size.
Different chemicals are also used during the
process, some of which can be toxic. Special
care should be taken to handle such chemicals.
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• Handling an Undesirable situation

Even if the work environment is ideal and
everyone is following the safety protocols,
accidents may happen. The possibility of human
error is always there. But managing an
undesirable situation is what makes all the
difference! Ideally, there should be a doctor or
a paramedics team on duty all the time who can
handle any such situation. The workers should
also be trained for providing first aid to their
fellow workers. In case of an accident, take the
victim to a safe place. Immediately call the
doctor, get help from the related personnel, and
give him the necessary first aid. In Brief! It's
the duty of the supervisors and directors to
educate their staff on the risks and safety
measures. The workers should be trained properly
before getting into the working field. Make sure
that the safety protocols are met. It's better
to be safe than sorry!