As the demand for glass and glazing grows, so does the number of businesses and manufacturers making these kinds of products. Great news for the industry in one sense but it is also true that glass, glass transportation and glass factories can be dangerous, with operatives and equipment at risk from a varied number of factors. Construction using glass also poses a significant amount of risk.
As with most industries, there are window regulations in the UK in place to protect staff working in these environments and with these types of materials. As well as the more catch-all legislations, such as the Health and Safety in the Workplace Act from 1974, there are some more specific glazing and window regulations that apply across the industry.
Below we will take a closer look at some of the window regulations and compliance policies in place to protect people and property.
Comprehensive Safety Training
The cornerstone of any effective safety policy is a comprehensive training regime for all staff. It is essential that workers in the glazing industry undergo thorough training programmes, which cover glass properties, equipment use and proper handling techniques. Staff should learn the different ways certain types of glass respond to pressure and breakages and should also be taught how to deal with incidents in the safest way possible.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Appropriate PPE is another vital part of glazing safety. It is essential for protecting workers from injuries, including cuts and lacerations. Required PPE generally includes safety glasses, cut-resistant gloves, hard hats, steel-toe boots and hi-vis clothing when installing. The exact requirements of PPE will depend on the situation, for example whether it is glass production or construction installs. But whatever the circumstances, it is required by law that the employer provides the correct PPE equipment to all staff.
Safe Handling Practices
A core part of the training procedure should be safe handling practices but this should be instilled into every aspect of operations when glazing is concerned. Manual and automated handling processes must focus on worker safety. This includes techniques for lifting large glass sheets using lifting cranes and automated glazing robots, as well as minimising manual handling risks. Regular checks of machinery and handling operations should be carried out to maintain high standards
Standards and Compliance
Glazing safety regulations involve adherence to specified standards, which include the stated impact resistance for safety glazing materials. Safety and compliance elements like these are required by law and any company not adhering to standards can face fines or even closure. This includes Regulation 14 of the Workplace Regulations act 1992 which stipulates that there is a duty that building users are not put at risk by the breakages of any glazing materials.
To find out and discover more about how Alpha Glazing can help you with any of your windows, doors and safety glazing building regulations, get in touch with our team today.
