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Keeping Yourself Safe While Lampworking
The following is a summary of some lampwork safety issues and is not a comprehensive resource. Research and discuss safety issues with the suppliers and distributors of the equipment, supplies and tools that you plan to use. Look for lampwork classes which include safety curriculum. Understanding these issues and keeping yourself safe while lampworking will enable you to focus on the fun and creativity of this phenomenal art form.
Click here to watch lampwork.com’s torch lighting demonstration and learn a little about a lampwork torch.
In addition to the standard safety measures people practice while being around an open flame, artists who use fire to melt and shape glass also know about and protect themselves concerning the following issues:
Some of the basics
Keep children and pets away from your work area.
Keep flammable material away from your work surface and work area.
Always keep the fuel valve on your torch closed when you are not torching.
Wear cotton or other non-melting clothing.
Keep hair pulled back and away from the flame.
Use shorty/rod holders when working with short rods of glass.
Fuels, Ventilation & Storage
Carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrous oxide (N20) also known as NOX, as well as metal vapors are all by-products of lampworking. And while there has been debate surrounding the levels and potential hazards concerning these by-products, one only needs to lampwork in a non-ventilated area for a short period before experiencing symptoms of overexposure/poisoning. Each of these by-products are hazards and potentially lethal in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas, and proper ventilation is required to avoid the dangers of overexposure. These by-products need to be removed and replaced with fresh clean air. Headache, nausea, fatigue and dizziness are some of the initial symptoms experienced with inadequate ventilation.
There are many ventilation system designs. Hoods over the work area, as well as ducts placed closely in front of a lampwork torch and attached to motorized fans and are common design elements in ventilation systems.
Gas and oxygen tanks should be kept outside with all hoses safely secured. Having a gas or oxygen tank stored inside your home is a violation of fire codes throughout the US. Oxygen concentrators do not need to be stored outside.
Fuel and oxygen sources should be connected to flashback/arrestors to prevent reverse flow and to quench a flashback flame.
Eye Protection
Besides the possibility of shattering/flying glass, lampworkers know that the light and heat radiating from the flame and kiln or annealing oven can harm eyes. Lampworkers are exposed to Ultraviolet (UV), visible and Infrared (IR) radiation and use special glasses to protect themselves from the radiation as well as flying glass. The type of glasses used depends on the type of glass used. Typically, didymium glasses are used with Soda-Lime glass (also called soft glass). Eye protection/glasses used with Borosilicate glass (also called hard glass) have different properties than glasses used with soft glass.
Silver, Frits, Powders & Fumes
Protection against silver, frits & powders (the super fine particles which can be inhaled) requires a respirator. Reusable respirators with replaceable filters are used to protect against dusts, fumes and mists and should be NIOSH/MSHA approved.
Breaks
Don’t forget to take breaks! It’s easy to become engrossed in lampwork projects, but taking breaks can help prevent repetitive motion injuries as well as fatigue to the body, especially the eyes.
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