To: Directors of Environmental Health/ Chief Environmental Health Officers of London, Metropolitan, District and Unitary Authorities and Chief Executives of County Councils.

For the attention of: Environmental Services / Trading Standards / Fire Authorities / Other

This circular gives advice to local authority enforcement officers

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GLASS HANDLING, STORAGE AND TRANSPORT

INTRODUCTION

1 The handling of flat glass involves the risk of serious personal injury. HSE experience has shown that although the risk is higher in factories where flat glass is manufactured, serious accidents continue to happen in premises where glass is subsequently handled and processed. This circular is concerned with certain key factors to which attention should be paid if the number and severity of accidents are to be minimised.

RACKING

2 The angle of inclination of sheet glass in racks is critical. Bowing and venting (a term given to the sudden breaking of glass) will occur if the angle of lean is too great from the vertical, but sheets will be unstable and be pulled over by draughts if the angle is too small. An angle of 3^o- 5^o from the vertical appears to be the optimum although racks tend to be designed for a lean of 5^o so that a loaded mechanical grab can approach at 3^o from the vertical.

3 It is recommended that mesh fencing or other barriers be provided at the sides of racks to contain any glass that might suddenly vent and fall out sideways during handling. Several serious accidents have occurred through failure to provide such fencing. Where access is foreseeable, persons must be able to gain free egress from any area into which glass might vent. Access into the area between glass and side fencing must be prevented.

VACUUM HANDLING

4 Large sheets of glass are routinely handled using vacuum lifting frames. These can involve the risk of being struck by falling glass and the following precautions are advised:

(i) Guide handles should be as far as possible form the glass or should be provided with protective screens;

(ii) A warning device should be provided to indicate loss of vacuum before there is imminent danger of grip being lost; and

(iii) The use of a vacuum appropriate to the thickness of the glass. If a full range of glass sheets (for example 2mm to 12mm) is to be handled, at least 2 vacuum settings should be employed. This is to avoid unnecessary deflections or possibly breakage of thin glass at the suction pads due to excessive vacuum.

INDUSTRY GUIDANCE

5 Further helpful information is given in the Glass and Glazing Federation publication "Glass Handling Transport and Storage Code of Practice' (Reference 1). The video tape "Handling Glass in the Flat Glass Industry', (Reference 2) provides practical guidance on handling sheets of glass. HSE was not involved in the preparation of either publication.

CONCLUSIONS

6 In the manufacture and in the subsequent processing of flat glass, venting and cuts from glass edges are foreseeable. Safe systems of work are essential for all operations including the loading and securing of loads and these should be clearly laid down. The provision of adequate training, instruction and supervision are also key factors and failure to provide these has led to several serious accidents. Protective clothing should be worn when glass is handled manually unless it can be shown that risks are negligible.

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