Schools’ Health and Safety Handbook
Code of Practice for Secondary Design and Technology
Risk Assessment SG1 Stain glass- Lead.
November 2008
Risk Assessment SG 1 Stain glass cutting
ESTABLISHMENT
SECONDARY SCHOOL
DEPARTMENT
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
WORK ACTIVITY
Stain Glass cutting
HAZARDS
WHO MIGHT BE
HARMED
(EMPLOYEES)
All users should be aware of the following hazards:
 Poorly stored glass would be easily broken and
could cause serious injuries and/or cuts.
 Fine glass shards are difficult to see, can cause
cuts, become embedded in the skin and shards
could be transferred into the eyes from hands.
 Glass cutters that are sharp and can cause cuts.
 Edges of glass are sharp and can cut.
Design and Technology Teachers
Design and Technology Teaching assistants
Design an Technology Technical assistants
WHO MIGHT BE
HARMED
(NONEMPLOYEES)
Pupils and students.
Visitors
Cleaning contractors.
Maintenance contractors.
IS ANYONE AT
SPECIAL RISK
Persons working alone
Inexperienced teachers
Persons who have not been trained in the correct
techniques to cut or handle glass.
Persons who use the equipment infrequently
Unauthorised users, for example, site manager,
caretakers.
RISK CONTROL
MEASURES
Safe Use
Storage and handling.
 Glass should not be stored above head height.
 Glass should be stored vertically in a secure well
constructed and stable frame, that is strong enough
to take the weight of the glass.
 Always wear ? well fitting Kevlar gloves, goggles,
long sleeved coveralls and strong shoes or boots
that cover and protect the whole of the foot.
 Handling the glass should be kept to a minimum.
 Always carry glass in a vertical position, grasping it
with both hands along the top and bottom edge.
 Do not slide your hands along a piece of glass,
even with gloves on.
Schools’ Health and Safety Handbook
Code of Practice for Secondary Design and Technology
Risk Assessment SG1 Stain glass- Lead.
November 2008
Written Permission and protective clothing.
 Written permission should be sought from parents
in a letter identifying the risks involved in working
with glass, for all students under 18.
 It is a legal requirement that all protective clothing
and equipment should be provided, cleaned and
stored by the schools.
 This equipment should not be taken home by the
students.
Using glass supervision of students
 Instruction must be given to pupils regarding the
correct use of the glass cutter.
 Inexperienced users will need careful supervision
 Glass should always be cut on a flat, steady work
surface.
 Make sure that the table that the glass is being cut
on is not too high-just below waist level is
recommended in order to get the correct pressure
required to cut glass.
 Goggles should be provided and used when
cutting glass to prevent persons rubbing eyes
when fine glass particles could be transferred into
the eyes.
 Tiny glass particles should not be brushed away
with hands, a small dustpan and brush should be
provided and used whilst working.
Waste glass should be stored in a labelled bin
specially for this and should not be thrown or
tossed into this bin.
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Clearing up and disposal of glass.
Scrap glass should be disposed of separately in a
container that is clearly labelled.
Broken or waste glass should never be put into
waste paper bins or plastic sacks as this can
cause serious injury.
A vacuum with a hepa filter should be used to
vacuum tiny pieces of glass once work is
complete.
Clearing up the glass shards on the work surface
should be swept carefully with a dust pan and
brush and a vacuumed with a HEPA filter, as
persons using the facilities after the glass cutting
activity, will be unaware of the tiny glass particles.
When vacuuming a systematic sweep of the area
should be completed to ensure that all the glass
particles and dust are removed.
Take time to properly change the filters and
Schools’ Health and Safety Handbook
Code of Practice for Secondary Design and Technology
Risk Assessment SG1 Stain glass- Lead.
November 2008

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FURTHER ACTION
REQUIRED TO
CONTROL RISK
properly dispose of them.
Goggles, a disposable dust mask (BSEN149:2001
FFP 2 or 3) and disposable gloves should be worn
to protect the face, eyes and hands while carrying
out this process.
Filters should be double wrapped in plastic or a
thick polythene bag for disposal.
Clearing up the needle like glass shards on the work
surface should be swept carefully with a dust pan and
brush and then a vacuumed with a HEPA filter, as
persons using the facilities after the glass cutting
activity, will be unaware of the tiny glass particles.
When vacuuming a systematic sweep of the area
should be completed to ensure that all the glass
particles and dust are removed.
Take time to properly change the filters and properly
dispose of them. Goggles, a disposable dust mask
(BSEN149:2001 FFP 2 or 3) long sleeved coveralls
and thick disposable gloves should be worn to protect
the face, eyes and hands while carrying out this
process. Filters should be double wrapped in plastic or
a thick polythene bag for disposal.
ACTION BY
PERSON
ACTION BY DATE
DATE REVISION
OF ASSESSMENT
DUE
ASSESSED BY
DATE