Glazers
A Glazer is one who works with glass. Glazer installs, repair or replace glass in industrial, commercial or residential buildings. They may do it in automobiles as well.
The main responsibilities of Glazer include:
- Cutting, grinding, cleaning, polishing and drilling glass.
- Managing of glass sheets in the warehouse and at the work site during transportation. This may involve using slings and power lift devices.
- Applying bonding agent, sealants and caulks.
- Cleaning and maintaining a variety of equipments.
Glazers are frequently exposed to dust from cutting, grinding, drilling and polishing of glass. Asbestos containing glazing equipments has been widely used for decades. So, glazers are at risk of asbestos exposure and thus developing mesothelioma.
Glazers work in various settings and some of these settings, such as construction sites, may contain many hazards including asbestos exposure. Before 1980’s asbestos was commonly used in construction materials due to its heat-resistant and fireproof characteristics. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one-fifth of all public buildings contain aging friable asbestos.
Glazers use protective textile garment which may contain asbestos. Asbestos textile garments have been extensively used for decades because of the fire retardant properties of asbestos. Asbestos-made garments are comparatively lightweight. For this reason, they were used wherever it was essential to have a high amount of insulation and fire resistance.
Glazers may take the following preventive measures to ensure their safety:
- Follow proper working procedures.
- Use correct personal protective equipment.
- Study the material safety data sheets for any hazardous products used during the job and follow any recommended safety precautions.
- Follow proper housekeeping procedures.