Home› Advice
Options

working with glass - Regs?

Pull2OpenPull2Open Posts: 15,138
Forum Member
✭✭
in Advice #1
Is there anyone here who has experience of working with glass on an industrial level.

A friend spoke with me today who is a maintenance engineer for a large firm. Today his employer has told him to rip out a load of old full length mirrors which are glued to tile. He has been told he has to smash them off the wall.

He is a bit worried about this because he hasn't worked with glass before and is a bit worried about the health and safety aspect of the task. In fact, the thought of shards of glass falling around him is worrying him quite a bit and he is quite sure that there must be some regulation regarding this but cant find it. Would this be classed as working with hazardous materials, does he need specialist training in removal and disposal.

I've had a look at COSHH but it doesn't seem to be cover this.

Anyone with HSAW or HSE experience?

Comments

  • Options
    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 5,383
    Forum Member
    ✭
    #2
    What a pussy. Overalls on, gloves on, goggles on, hammer out - away you go....
  • Options
    Pull2OpenPull2Open Posts: 15,138
    Forum Member
    ✭✭
    #3
    LCDMAN wrote: »
    What a pussy. Overalls on, gloves on, goggles on, hammer out - away you go....

    Well, that was my initial thought (minus your first sentence) but the more I think of it, it does sound quite dangerous and the sort of thing that may be covered by regs in an industrial environment. Considering he has never worked with glass, I can understand his apprehension and also his need to be clear that should any accident occur, his employer isn't going to turn around and say that he was doing something he was not qualified to do and consequently leave him high and dry!
  • Options
    RandomSallyRandomSally Posts: 7,072
    Forum Member
    ✭
    #4
    No worse than smashing tiles surely? As long as he has the correct safety gear on I don't see a problem.
  • Options
    bhappyluvbhappyluv Posts: 408
    Forum Member
    ✭
    #5
    It wouldn't be covered by the COSHH. But as long as he has the appropriate PPE he should be fine, ie goggles, thick gloves and proper boots. Although now I think about it whenever we dispose of glass at work we have to be in pairs and wear chain gauntlets.
  • Options
    grumpyscotgrumpyscot Posts: 11,354
    Forum Member
    ✭✭
    #6
    His employer must have completed a risk assessment prior to asking him to do the job, so will therefore be responsible for ensuring the necessary safety equipment AND environment exist.

    But common sense says - hard hat, gloves (kevlar lined), overalls (kevlar lined), eye protector (full protection - i.e. close fit goggles not spectacle type), ear defenders (if not full head cover), proper work boots. Just one minor gaze and the employer will be responsible.
  • Options
    QTC13QTC13 Posts: 3,566
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    #7
    grumpyscot wrote: »
    His employer must have completed a risk assessment prior to asking him to do the job, so will therefore be responsible for ensuring the necessary safety equipment AND environment exist.

    But common sense says - hard hat, gloves (kevlar lined), overalls (kevlar lined), eye protector (full protection - i.e. close fit goggles not spectacle type), ear defenders (if not full head cover), proper work boots. Just one minor gaze and the employer will be responsible.

    Employers SHOULD'VE completed a RA. Just because they should (must) doesn't mean to say they have.

    BIB sums it up really.
  • Options
    Pull2OpenPull2Open Posts: 15,138
    Forum Member
    ✭✭
    #8
    I agree about common sense. But sometimes, all the common sense in the world doesn't replace the need for a piece that says you're trained/qualified etc. I just couldn't answer him on that
  • Options
    bspacebspace Posts: 14,303
    Forum Member
    ✭✭
    #9
    grumpyscot wrote: »
    His employer must have completed a risk assessment prior to asking him to do the job, so will therefore be responsible for ensuring the necessary safety equipment AND environment exist.

    But common sense says - hard hat, gloves (kevlar lined), overalls (kevlar lined), eye protector (full protection - i.e. close fit goggles not spectacle type), ear defenders (if not full head cover), proper work boots. Just one minor gaze and the employer will be responsible.

    So no long lingering ones then, not even a quick glance.
  • Options
    Pull2OpenPull2Open Posts: 15,138
    Forum Member
    ✭✭
    #10
    bspace wrote: »
    So no long lingering ones then, not even a quick glance.

    long lingering gaze in a mirror...
  • Options
    grumpyscotgrumpyscot Posts: 11,354
    Forum Member
    ✭✭
    #11
    bspace wrote: »
    So no long lingering ones then, not even a quick glance.

    Obviously I meant GRAZE - a slip of the finger wot I lost when removing a mirror from a wall with a sledgehammer..........................
  • Options
    bart4858bart4858 Posts: 11,436
    Forum Member
    ✭✭
    #12
    LCDMAN wrote: »
    What a pussy. Overalls on, gloves on, goggles on, hammer out - away you go....

    Full-length mirrors can mean shards of glass flying about, onto your face down and down your neck (and in your hair).

    I wouldn't fancy the job.
  • Options
    gds1972gds1972 Posts: 6,613
    Forum Member
    ✭
    #13
    I'm sure you can get some sort of heavy duty adhesive film to stick onto the mirror to try and hold it in one piece whilst removing it.
Sign In or Register to comment.