Top Ten Safety Rules for Glass Fusing

1. Don't be stupid.

2. Don't be in a hurry. If you're feeling impatient, take a walk and count your blessings.

3. This is not safety glass; it is sharp. Edges cut, respect them. Points stab and puncture; nip them off before storing or disposing of the glass. Keep protective gloves nearby and use them for browsing scrap bins or picking through racks.

4. The glass we use is imperfect; it has inclusions, bubbles, creases, inconsistent thickness and other structural weaknesses. Never hold a large piece over your head. Grip sheets by the edge and hold them away from your body, so that if a break occurs, the shards will slice through the ground, not an artery.

5. Kilns and other studio machinery can be dangerous if safety precautions are not followed. READ THE MANUALS and follow ALL safety guidelines.

6. Protect your lungs. Dust from grinding, scrap bins, powders and enamels are dangerous to inhale and cumulative over time. Use water with all dust-creating tools and wear a good mask when working with powders and fibers, even shelf primer and firing-papers. Breathing is a desirable skill.

7. Without exception, protect your eyes, and keep extra safety glasses handy for guests.

8. Have a cut? Clean it and cover it. Keep a first aid kit handy. Health first, glass second. Blood burns off in the kiln. Sometimes.

9. Keep a tidy work area. Tools in their place. Cords stowed. Glass safely stored. Paints and chemicals away from heat and flame. Cleanliness promotes safety.

10. Request and READ the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for all materials in the studio. They are often available online. Know the properties and observe the safety recommendations for everything you use.