Standardization News

Accidents involving the handling of annealed glass have heightened interest in standards that could improve safety in the glass industry. In response, ASTM International Committee E34 on Occupational Health and Safety has approved a new standard, E2875/E2875M, Guide for Personal Protective Equipment for the Handling of Flat Glass. The new standard was developed by Subcommittee E34.35 on Safe Handling of Glass.

The goal of E2875/E2875M is to aid in selecting personal protective equipment that will best protect a specific employee from hazards that cannot be mitigated through other means, such as through engineering, administrative or work practice controls.

The new standard highlights the critical areas of risk to the body from glass handling, highlights the need for risk assessments - particularly to the neck and other major artery areas - and explains cut test standards, and describes personal protective equipment materials of construction.

"E2875/E2875M will be helpful to end users, particularly glass companies or locations that may not have as much exposure/awareness regarding available personal protective equipment in the industry," says Michael Marsala, safety and loss control manager, Guardian Industries Corp. "It can also be helpful to anyone who handles glass in that these risks can exist with glass installers and replacers as well."

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CONTACT Technical Information: Michael Marsala, Guardian Industries Corp. • Auburn Hills, Mich. • Phone: 248-340-2322 | ASTM Staff: Kevin Shanahan • Phone: 610-832-9737 | Upcoming Meeting: Oct. 24-25 • October Committee Week • Atlanta, Ga.