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Glass Protective Clothing
Virtually everyone relies on different types of glass for day-to-day living. Do you know what goes into the manufacturing and handling of such a highly relied upon resource? The process of manufacturing glass is an old one and has been refined for thousands of years. The glass making process requires precision and attention to detail to maintain temperatures at every point of the manufacturing cycle.
The way that glass is manufactured, treated, finished, and handled is a multi-step process that is not without risk for cuts, punctures, and abrasions. Workers are also vulnerable to thermal hazards from the temperature of the glass that is being handled when it comes off machines as well as the environment of the plants.
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Browse Thermal-Cut Gloves |
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Cut, Puncture, and Abrasion
Whether it’s moving glass, taking it off of a machine, lifting to install, moving onto a rack, holding, or carrying any type of manufactured glass, workers are at risk for cut, puncture, or abrasions at nearly every step of the glass making process.
Accidents happen and if proper lifting techniques are not followed or an incident occurs where glass is dropped, falls over, or is interfered with during moving, your best defense against injury is preparing in advance by wearing the right cut and glass handling protective clothing.
Mechanical protection from National Safety Apparel includes garments that provide cut, puncture, and abrasion protection. The main safety standard that measures protection for these multiple hazards is ANSI/ISEA 105. Each type of glass protective clothing you choose to wear may have different levels as defined by ANSI 105.
cutGUARD Cut Protective Apparel
Full body coverage using glass protection clothing is important for every task that involves manufacturing glass. Glass handling gloves that have cut, puncture, and abrasion protection that meet ANSI 105 standards are the most expected form of glass PPE that plant workers should be provided.
Moving and handling large sheets of glass often takes two people and proper lifting techniques may require handlers to lift the glass to their chest and neck. Cut protective jackets and neck protection are an especially important part of glass handling protective clothing to have when moving and lifting glass.
Workers rolling up sleeves on cut protective clothing or wrist guards due to discomfort is a concern when it comes to implementing PPE. Modifying PPE away from its intended use compromises protection and leaves the wearer vulnerable to injury. Therefore, it is important for cut protection including gloves, jackets, wristlets, and aprons to be comfortable for the wearer.
With these concerns in mind, National Safety Apparel’s cutGUARD™ line of mechanical protection offers comfortable cut protective solutions including jackets, gloves, sleeves, neck protection, and more. New fabric blends such as our K5 offer breathability and protection against cut, puncture, and abrasion for glass handling.
Kunz Glove Joins National Safety Apparel’s House of Brands. Every glove manufactured by Kunz meets hand protection industry standards for Cut, ARC, Puncture, FR, and Cut Rated.
Thermal Hazards
Glass is manufactured at hot temperatures and comes off machines at temperatures that are dangerous to handle without gloves and other thermal protection. No matter what type of glass it is or how it’s manufactured or treated - from insulated, coated, laminated, or floating glass - proper thermal protection is needed to handle or move glass onto the next stage of the process.
High Heat Gloves
National Safety Apparel’s terry gloves and Kevlar glove offer both heat and cut protection that meet ANSI 105 standards, which allows for glass handling off machines with protection against thermal and cut hazards. From various heat, cut, abrasion, and puncture levels, there are multiple glove options to fit the task at hand.
Low Visibility Hazards
Most plants and factories use forklifts and motorized equipment to lift heavy manufactured products, and glass plants are no exception. Racks and tow motors may be used to transport finished glass or move it to the next point of production.
While not as prevalent indoors, the use of motorized equipment to move heavy products still presents a risk for struck-by hazards. Preventative measures to ensure worker visibility should be implemented to minimize the risk of injury. Naturally, workwear options that enhance worker visibility are a smart choice.
Hi-Vis Workwear
Hi-vis clothing is also an asset in areas of plants and factories that may have low-light issues that can compromise visibility of workers. Glass plants and factory workers do not conduct work near roadways, so hi-vis workwear that meets ANSI 107 class standards is not required, though those options are available and among the safest for worker visibility. Non-ANSI orange as well as fluorescent orange and yellow mesh vests the most convenient way to enhance worker visibility and reduce potential struck-by hazards.
While these hi-vis mesh vest options work well to help make workers more visible, they do not offer mechanical protection. Enhanced visibility trim options can be added to CUTGUARD jackets ensuring cut protection while offering better visibility for workers in the glass plant and factory.
Reach out to our knowledgeable customer service team or your local regional sales rep to talk about your glass PPE needs and customization options.
National Safety Apparel began manufacturing thermal PPE in 1935, which is important to glass plant workers against heat-treated glass substances. With the addition of the brand cutGUARD™, National Safety Apparel manufactures cut, abrasion, and puncture protection that is ideal glass handling PPE. With unique needs for glass handling protective gear and the customization options available, contact our customer service team for additional information.