Cut Resistant PPE In The Glass Industry

The glass industry, known for its high risk of cuts and lacerations, has long relied on cut resistant PPE to safeguard workers. This protective gear is essential, especially for those handling glass manually, to reduce injury risks.

Industry Risks and Statistics

Sharp glass and cutting tools in glass manufacturing pose significant risks. According to the International Labour Organization, professionals in this sector frequently face cuts, lacerations, and soft tissue wounds. Glaziers encounter similar hazards.

The Need for PPE: A Statistical Perspective

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the glass product manufacturing sector has a higher incidence rate of nonfatal occupational injuries (13.2 cases per 100 full-time workers annually) compared to general manufacturing. Significantly, over half of these cases do not result in lost workdays, indicating the severity of these injuries. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics further highlights the urgency with about 900,000 workplace injuries in 2012, particularly high in glazing contractors and glass manufacturers.

Global Insights

In Australia, the incidence of glass-related injuries is notable, with reports of 126 glass smashing incidents and 157 workers’ compensation claims since 2012 due to falling glass.

UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Guidance

The HSE in the UK emphasises the high risk in handling flat glass, especially in manufacturing settings. They advocate for appropriate protective clothing to mitigate these risks.

Risk Assessment in Safety Protocols

When carrying out a risk assessment, hazards and risks must be the key considerations:

• HAZARD:? Anything that may cause harm
• RISK:? The chance, high or low, that somebody could be harmed by these and other hazards, together with an indication of how serious the harm could be.

A risk assessment doesn't need to become another ‘War & Peace’ novel… a massive document in a huge ring binder no none will ever end up reading.? It can indeed be a simple document, which states that a risk has been identified and that all consideration was given to establish on how to mitigate that risk.

Consideration should be given to the likelihood of occurrence, the likelihood of harm and the consequence (severity of injury). In general, risks should be reduced to a level that is as low as reasonably practical.

The following is a common format for illustrative purposes of a risk matrix follows. It is a simple yet highly effective to classifying risk, and would be expected to be used conservatively when assessing likelihood and severity.

CutPRO?: A Comprehensive Solution

CutPRO? - Cut Resistant Clothing , made from 100% Cut-Tex? PRO fabric, offers high-level cut, puncture, and tear resistance. It's an ideal choice for comprehensive protection in the glass industry. CutPRO? garments serve multiple functions: they replace additional protective layers, double as standard workwear uniforms, and can include high-visibility features, making them a practical solution in hazardous work environments.

Conclusion

Cut Resistant PPE is not just a safety measure but an integral part of operational efficiency in the glass industry. Its importance is underscored by the statistics and global reports on workplace injuries in this sector.

Ready to take the next step in workplace Safety? Get in touch here: https://www.cut-pro.com/contact-us/?utm_source=newsletter

About the Author

Robert Kaiser is the CEO and Founder of CutPRO? Clothing Ltd, a UK headquartered company specialised in design, production, and supply of high-performance cut resistant clothing. Robert has spent the last 20 years investigating and analysing workplace violence related injuries as well as accidental workplace injuries domestically and overseas. His written work has been published in several international industry leading publications.