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The days when a glazier worked in shorts and a T-shirt are long gone. Today, if you want to do this job professionally, you need to look beyond just a pair of gloves. Did you know that a glazier often needs different protective equipment for each task? And that they need at least four different types of gloves? Yep — the workwear and personal protective equipment (PPE) of a glazier are more complex than you might think. In this article, I’ll tell you all about it.
Glazier: the basics
There are two things every glazier must always wear: safety shoes and workwear. The shoes must comply with safety level S3. The steel toe cap, for instance, prevents broken glass from cutting your feet. This type of shoe also ensures your feet stay dry and reduces the risk of slipping.
When it comes to clothing, it’s recommended to wear items with special cut protection. These fabrics often contain Kevlar — a strong, heat-resistant synthetic fiber. Kevlar is five times stronger than steel and is also used in bulletproof vests, for example. So, it’s ideal for protecting your body from cuts and injuries.
Personal protective equipment: gloves
When working with glass, wearing gloves is a must. But that doesn’t mean a glazier only needs one pair. There are several types of gloves, each designed for a specific task.
For handling or installing glass, cut-resistant gloves are the best choice. Just like cut-resistant clothing, these gloves protect you from sharp glass. They’re coated with a special layer for enhanced grip, making them ideal for moving raw (unpolished) glass too.
Transporting polished glass? Then grip gloves are a better choice. As the name suggests, these offer excellent grip for lifting glass. However, the level of cut protection is lower.
When installing a window, you’re dealing with more than just glass. Parts like the frame and hinges also need to be assembled. For this, special assembly gloves are used.
Finally, if you’re applying a coating to a window, a different type of glove is recommended — usually a latex variant.
Personal protective equipment for eyes and ears
Aside from the hands and body, there are two other areas at risk: your eyes and ears.
When using a nail tacker (specifically designed to allow nails to bend around glass without breaking it) or when removing sealant, things can get quite noisy. That’s why hearing protection is highly recommended. And when removing or cutting glass, safety goggles are absolutely essential.
There’s also PPE required when working on a construction site. Think of fall protection when working at heights, or head protection in case of falling objects.
Workwear and PPE for glaziers is more complex than it seems
Although the price of double glazing — like everything else — has increased significantly in recent years, sometimes it just needs to be replaced. And if a company shows up at your door, take a moment to observe what they’re wearing. While all of the above protective equipment is strongly recommended, these are still just guidelines. Each company applies them in its own way.
Have you ever taken a closer look at what kind of protective gear a glazier wears?
Greetings,
Aileen