Module 1: Glass Science & Safety¶
Module ID: U12-M1-GLASS Title: Glass Science, Material Properties & Occupational Hazards Duration: 3 hours Prerequisite: Unit 12 orientation complete, thermal safety briefing attended
Module Overview¶
Module 1 establishes the scientific foundation for glass work. Learners will understand the chemistry and atomic structure of glass, how thermal properties affect work behavior, and the full landscape of occupational hazards (thermal burns, silica dust, infrared radiation, chemical exposure). This knowledge directly informs safe practice in subsequent modules.
Learning Outcomes¶
By the end of this module, learners will:
Knowledge: - Explain the atomic structure of glass (silica tetrahedra, network formers, modifiers) - Describe thermal expansion and its relationship to annealing - Articulate the difference between thermal shock and thermal stress - Identify glass types (soda-lime, borosilicate, lead, fused silica) and their physical properties - Understand silica dust hazards and respiratory protection - Recognize infrared radiation hazards and eye protection requirements - Identify thermal burn mechanisms and prevention strategies
Skills: - Read and interpret thermal expansion (CTE) data - Determine appropriate glass type for a given application - Use thermal color cues to assess glass temperature - Recognize when thermal stress/shock is occurring - Select and use appropriate PPE for glass work
Competencies: - Understand the material science governing glass work - Make informed decisions about glass type selection - Anticipate and prevent thermal failure mechanisms - Work safely around high-temperature equipment
Module Structure¶
| Slide | Title | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glass Chemistry & Atomic Structure | Silica network, modifiers, thermal properties at atomic scale |
| 2 | Thermal Expansion & Annealing | CTE, compatibility, annealing process, stress relief |
| 3 | Glass Types & Applications | Soda-lime, borosilicate, lead, fused silica properties and uses |
| 4 | Occupational Hazards: Thermal Burns | Heat transfer mechanisms, burn depth, prevention strategies, first aid |
| 5 | Occupational Hazards: Dust & Radiation | Silica dust respiratory risk, infrared eye hazards, engineering controls |
| 6 | PPE & Safety Equipment | Thermal gloves, eye protection, work clothing, ventilation |
Assessment Criteria¶
- Knowledge quiz: 15 questions, 80% pass threshold
- Material property matching: Identify glass type from CTE, thermal color, and application
- Hazard recognition: Label thermal danger zones in kiln/torch setup diagrams
- Safety checklist: Demonstrate correct PPE donning and equipment inspection