ASTM Develops Standard to Improve Glass Industry Safety

ASTM International has approved a new standard to improve safety in the glass industry. ASTM E2875/E2875M, Guide for Personal Protective Equipment for the Handling of Flat Glass, was developed by Subcommittee E34.35 on Safe Handling of Glass. According to ASTM, the standard was developed as a result of heightened interest as a result of incidents involving the handling of annealed glass.

The goal of the standard is to help employers select PPE to best protect workers from hazards that cannot be mitigated through engineering, administrative or work practice controls. The standard highlights critical areas of risk to the body from glass handling, particularly to the neck and other major artery areas, discusses the need for risk assessment and explains cut test standards.