Formal Risk Assessment: Glassworking

Activity Use of the glassworking station, including the use of the kiln, hot torch and tools for working with cold glass (cutter, pliers, stock handling).

Hazard identification

1. The risks from the kiln are burns from touching either the interior surface of the kiln itself or hot glass, and sharp glass fragments cause by accidents when moving glass items into and out of the kiln.
2. The most serious hazard when using the hot torch is the flame itself, although a secondary (lower severity, higher probability) risk exists of handling material that is no longer incandescent but which remains at a high enough temperature to burn.
3. There is a minor risk when handling cold glass during cutting and other operations of glass splinters including the possibility of eye damage. A similar risk of eye damage occurs when using the torch due to thermal cracking of glass rods.
4. There is a low probability of eye damage from either the kiln or the hot torch due to intense infra-red light emissions.
5. There is a low probability risk of fire from abuse of the torch, gas feeds or cylinders.

Persons at risk Consider who might be put at risk by the hazards listed above

• The user is subject to 1, 2, 3 and 4.
• Nearby spectators, closely observing the work, are subject to 2 and 3. They may be subject to 4 but only when very close - this is unlikely as the user will be in the way.
• The space and all occupants are subject to 5.

Initial assessment of risk Hazard identified Severity Probability Risk Factor

• Hazard 1 Severity 3 Probability 2 = Severity x probability 6
• Hazard 2 Severity 4 Probability 2 = Severity x probability 8
• Hazard 3 Severity 2 Probability 2 = Severity x probability 4
• Hazard 4 Severity 1 Probability 2 = Severity x probability 2
• Hazard 5 Severity 5 Probability 1 = Severity x probability 5

Categorising the risk level as as 1-5(Low), 6-11(Moderate) and 12-25(High) shows that the potential level of risk in this activity is low to moderate. Further measures are in place to further reduce the risk, as below.

Control measures Necessary control measures arising from the hazards identified are:

• Hazard 1: Users should have appropriate training in use of the kiln. Signage will be used to indicate to other users of the space when the kiln is hot, including during any 'cool to ambient' phase.

• Hazard 2: Users should have appropriate training in use of the hot torch, including handling of material likely to cause burns if inadvertently handled by other users of the space. Specific areas to be set aside and labelled for temporary storage of hot glass during work.

• Hazard 3: Users to wear eye protection at all times, and during flamework to be trained to ensure any spectators closer than 1m from the flame to also wear appropriate protection. Training in use of the hot torch also reduces this risk.

• Hazard 4: Users to be trained to wear appropriate PPE, such PPE to be provided at the glassworking station in the form of glasses suitable for direct viewing of both the kiln and the hot flame for extended periods (welders glasses no3 for the kiln, didymium filters for flamework)

• Hazard 5: Users to be trained on appropriate handling of flameworking equipment, gas cylinder only to be changed by appropriately trained users (equipment owners).

Final assessment of risk The assessed risk taking into account the implementation of the control measures listed, and adherence to the SSOW (Safe System of Work) if applicable is as follows:

Hazard identified Severity Probability Risk Factor

• Hazard 1 Severity 3 Probability 1 = Severity x probability 3
• Hazard 2 Severity 4 Probability 1 = Severity x probability 4
• Hazard 3 Severity 2 Probability 1 = Severity x probability 2
• Hazard 4 Severity 1 Probability 1 = Severity x probability 1
• Hazard 5 Severity 5 Probability 1 = Severity x probability 5

When completing Risk Assessment please consider the if First Aid assistance might be appropriate if the calculated Risk level (Severity x Probability) is greater than 5

The risk now falls into the category low and is considered to be acceptable.

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