New ASTM Task Group Works on Standard for Safe Handling of Annealed Glass

Recent accidents involving annealed glass along with requests from OSHA have led ASTM International to form a new task group that will work on the development of a proposed standard guide for the safe handling of annealed glass. The task group is part of Committee E34 on Occupational Health and Safety.

"We received a request from OSHA because of two fatalities in the [past] 12 to 18 months in the glass industry. In response to this request, we had an initial meeting in Rossford, Ohio, to [meet with members of the] industry to see if they thought it was a worthwhile activity," says Kevin Shanahan, manager, technical committee operations for ASTM International. "The response was yes and now we will have a meeting in August to discuss the title and scope of the new standard."

The organizational meeting is scheduled for August 19 at the Courtyard Marriott in Rossford, Ohio; all interested parties within the glass industry are invited to participate. The task group plans to focus on practical personal protective equipment for employees as well as standardizing levels of protection for various tasks in handling annealed glass.

"The industry representatives will discuss best practices for personal protective equipment as well as best practices for the general handling the glass in this standard," says Shanahan.

For a meeting agenda or additional information, please contact Kevin Shanahan at 610/832-9737 or kshanaha@astm.org.

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