Working Safely With Glass

Tropical Sunburst Window with Palm Trees

Stained glass is a safe craft with sensible habits. The main hazards are cuts, lead, flux fumes and a hot iron. None of these is difficult to manage. This page is general guidance, and it does not replace the advice of a doctor or the safety data sheets that come with each product.

Lead

Lead is harmful if swallowed or breathed in over time, and the usual route in a studio is from the hands to the mouth. New came and solder produce little dust, but old came taken from a window can release lead oxide dust and needs extra care.

  • Wash the hands, forearms and face thoroughly after working and before eating, drinking or smoking.
  • Do not eat, drink or smoke in the workshop.
  • Wear gloves when handling lead came, and keep lead away from the kitchen and food areas.
  • Keep children out of the workshop. People who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should avoid exposure to lead and take advice from a health professional.
  • Wear an apron that stays in the studio, and wash it separately from other clothes.
  • Clean the bench with a damp cloth after each session. Dry brushing and sweeping raise dust.
  • Do not put lead waste in household bins. Keep offcuts and old solder in a labelled container and take them to a recycling route for lead.
  • Lead-free solder and lead-free came are available for anyone who prefers to avoid lead, although the methods can differ slightly.

Solder and flux fumes

The white smoke from soldering is mostly vaporised flux, not lead, as long as the iron is kept below about 430 degrees Celsius. It can still irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and repeated exposure can cause problems for people with asthma or sensitive airways.

  • Work near an open window, preferably two, and use a fan to draw fumes away from the face. A fume extractor with a filter is better.
  • Lean away from the smoke while soldering.
  • Use as little flux as the job needs. Excess produces more fumes and can make solder spit.
  • Wear a mask suited to fumes if ventilation is poor.
  • Solder can spit, so wear safety glasses.

Hot irons

  • Keep the iron in its stand at all times and never leave it switched on unattended.
  • Keep the cable clear of the tip.
  • Work on a heat-resistant surface.
  • Let finished work cool before handling it. Solder stays hot for some time.
  • Tie back long hair and wear closed shoes.

Glass

  • Wear safety glasses for cutting, grozing, grinding and soldering. Spectacle wearers can use over-glasses.
  • Small slivers and dust are more dangerous than large pieces, so do not sweep with bare hands. Use a brush and pan, and wipe the bench with a damp cloth.
  • Keep a sturdy, lined bin for glass waste, and wrap it before disposal.
  • Grind with water to keep dust down. Wear a mask if dust is still likely.
  • Protect fingers while grinding with rubber fingertips or gloves.
  • Cover cuts before starting work.

Chemicals and etching

Glass-etching products and cements can irritate the skin and eyes, and some etching chemicals are very hazardous. Read the label and the safety data sheet before use, wear gloves and eye protection, work in the open air or a ventilated space, and never decant them into other containers. The page on acid etched glass explains the process, but it is not a how-to.

Sandblasting dust

Abrasive blasting creates fine dust that is bad to breathe. It is normally done in an enclosed cabinet or booth with extraction and the right breathing protection. It is not a job for a kitchen table.

Good habits

  • Keep the work area tidy, and the floor free of off-cuts.
  • Label chemicals and read each product’s safety data sheet.
  • Have a first aid kit within reach.
  • Do not work when tired, because most cuts happen then.

Official guidance changes, so for anything beyond the basics, check current advice from the UK Health and Safety Executive or a local environmental health service.

In this section

Terms used here are explained in the Glass Glossary, and the Learn section covers the history and types of glass.

Sources and further reading

For cleaning, see How to Clean Decorative Glass Safely.