The Humboldt Builders’ Exchange Safety and Insurance Committee provide the following safety topic as a service to its members. These instructions do not
supersede local, state or federal regulations.

Glass and Ceramic Work Safety

Topic provided by State Compensation Insurance Fund

Glass and ceramics works are two industries with common hazards. Glass works manufacture, install, and recycle flat, art, and container glass. Ceramic works include molded or hand-formed products ranging from refractories, tiles, tableware and art to pipes and technology applications.

Get training in your specific job tasks and the machinery, chemicals, and materials you use. Personal protective equipment (PPE) may vary by job site and task, but should include sturdy boots for foot protection and gloves to protect your hands and skin. Wear a hard hat if materials could fall and/or strike your head. Coveralls or an apron protect your clothes and skin.

Ergonomic injuries are common to both industries, so lift and handle materials properly. Raw materials can be very dense and heavy. Use lifting devices such as carts, hand trucks, pallet lifters, or forklifts to move materials around. If you must hand-carry materials and product, keep your back straight and use your legs to lift. Test the load before you lift and break up loads into smaller, more manageable sizes. Adjust your work station so you can maintain a neutral posture and a straight back. Keep your work and often-used items close to you to avoid reaches. Use adjustable tables and seating to get your work at the optimal height. Rotate your tasks throughout the day to reduce fatigue.

Many of the glazes, color additives, fluxes, and material mixes contain hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, arsenic, solvents, and heavy metals. Some raw materials may contain silica, asbestos, or other harmful substances. These materials can be a hazard to your lungs if you inhale them as dusts or as fumes from curing/baking. Read the product information and use the proper PPE, including respiratory protection, to protect yourself. Practice good hygiene by washing your hands frequently at work and before you eat, drink or smoke. Keep your work clothes and shoes separate from your family’s clothing to avoid cross-contamination.

Moving parts of mixers, pottery wheels, extruders, and presses can cause cuts and abrasions along with more severe caught/crush injuries. Wear close-fitting clothing, tie back long hair, and remove jewelry when working near machinery. If possible, only add materials to a mixer while it is NOT in motion. Machine guarding around moving parts can protect you; make sure it is in place before you turn machines on. Practice lockout/blockout for maintenance or clearing jams.

The sharp edges from fired glass, coatings, and ceramic glazes cause many cuts and punctures in both industries. Wear puncture-resistant gloves when you handle materials coming from the kiln or oven. If you need to clean off glazes and other materials from kiln and oven racks, wear safety glasses to prevent flying chips and shards of material from injuring your eyes.

Hot kilns and drying ovens can cause severe burns. Follow work procedures carefully to protect yourself. Allow the oven/kiln AND the products to cool down before you access them. Check the thermostat; even if the air in the kiln/oven feels cool, remember that the conveyors, shelves, posts, and products can hold heat longer than the air. Wear heat-resistant gloves when you handle products that have recently been fired, baked, or dried.

Practice good housekeeping in the workplace. Sweep up debris, broken product, and spilled materials. If you sweep up sharp materials, handle them only with a plastic dust pan and place them in labeled, puncture-resistant containers. To prevent slips, trips, and falls, clean up spills of liquids and dry materials immediately.

The above evaluations and/or recommendations are for general guidance only and should not be relied upon for legal compliance purposes. They are based solely on the information provided to us and relate only to those conditions specifically discussed. We do not make any warranty, expressed or implied, that your workplace is safe or healthful or that it complies with all laws, regulations or standards                                                                                                  
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