03 Jun Fiberglass Safety and Health Hazards

Fiberglass Safety and Health Hazards

Fiberglass safety requires workers to understand the potential for skin, eye, and respiratory irritation and to use appropriate controls and PPE when handling fiberglass materials.

Fiberglass, also called fibrous glass, is a synthetic material made from glass fibers. It is commonly found in insulation, roofing materials, ceiling tiles, HVAC applications, and fiberglass-reinforced products. Fiberglass can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory system, particularly when cutting, sanding, grinding, or otherwise disturbing the material creates airborne fibers and dust.

Fiberglass and Cancer

Fiberglass should not be treated as equivalent to asbestos. The health effects and classifications depend on the particular type of synthetic vitreous fiber involved.

OSHA reports that insulation glass wool and continuous glass filament are currently not classifiable as to their carcinogenicity to humans (IARC Group 3). Certain other synthetic fibers, including refractory ceramic fibers and some special-purpose glass fibers, have different classifications. Therefore, workers should not assume that every fiberglass product presents the same health hazard.

Always review the product’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the hazards and precautions applicable to the specific material being used.

Health Effects of Fiberglass

Contact with fiberglass fibers and dust may cause:

• Skin itching, redness, or irritation.
• Eye irritation.
• Irritation of the nose and throat.
• Coughing or respiratory irritation from airborne fibers and dust.
• Increased exposure when fiberglass is cut, ground, sanded, demolished, or otherwise disturbed.

NIOSH advises that fibrous glass can affect the eyes, skin, and lungs and recommends controlling worker exposure using the hierarchy of controls.

Protecting Yourself When Working With Fiberglass

When handling or disturbing fiberglass:

• Use ventilation or other engineering controls to minimize airborne fibers and dust.
• Avoid unnecessary cutting, grinding, sanding, or other activities that generate airborne material.
• Wear long sleeves, long pants, and appropriate gloves to minimize skin contact.
• Wear appropriate safety glasses or goggles when fibers or dust could enter the eyes.
• Keep fiberglass dust and fibers away from your face and eyes.
• Wash exposed skin with soap and water after handling fiberglass.
• Change contaminated work clothing as necessary to prevent spreading fibers to other areas.
• Keep work areas clean using methods that minimize airborne dust.
• Follow the SDS and manufacturer’s instructions for the specific fiberglass product.

OSHA recommends engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE as appropriate to control exposure to synthetic mineral fibers.

Respiratory Protection

Do not automatically rely on a disposable “dust mask” simply because fiberglass is present. First control airborne exposure through appropriate work practices and engineering controls.

When respiratory protection is necessary based on the exposure assessment, SDS, or workplace requirements, use the appropriate respirator selected under the company’s Respiratory Protection Program. OSHA regulates general-industry exposure to synthetic mineral fibers under its limits for inert or nuisance dust, while NIOSH also publishes recommended exposure limits for fibrous glass dust.

Fiberglass Resins and Chemicals

Some fiberglass fabrication processes involve chemicals such as resins, catalysts, solvents, and cleaning agents. These chemicals can present hazards separate from the fiberglass fibers themselves, including inhalation, skin-contact, fire, and other health hazards.

When these products are used:

• Review the SDS before beginning work.
• Provide adequate ventilation.
• Keep ignition sources away from flammable materials and vapors.
• Wear the PPE specified for the chemical and task.
• Store and handle chemicals according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Immediately report spills, leaks, or symptoms of exposure.

Remember

Fiberglass safety means controlling fibers and dust, protecting your skin and eyes, using adequate ventilation, following the SDS, and wearing task-appropriate PPE.