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Activity 002: PPE Donning and Hazard Recognition Walkthrough

Activity ID: U12M1-ACT-002 Duration: 30 minutes

Overview

Students practice the correct PPE donning sequence for glass work and conduct a guided hazard recognition walkthrough of a simulated (or actual) kiln and torch work area. This hands-on activity ensures students can identify thermal, respiratory, and radiation hazards in a workspace and demonstrate proper safety preparation before any hot glass work begins.

Materials & Equipment Needed

  • Full PPE set per student or pair:
  • Heat-resistant gloves rated to 500°C+ (ASTM F539-compliant Kevlar or heavy-duty leather)
  • UV/IR safety glasses or goggles
  • Face shield (polycarbonate, IR-rated)
  • Leather or heavy canvas apron
  • Hair ties (extras available)
  • PPE Donning Sequence reference card (laminated)
  • Hazard identification checklist (one per student)
  • Kiln area (or simulated setup with labeled stations)
  • Torch work area (or simulated setup)
  • 10 pre-placed hazard markers (intentional errors for students to find):
  • Examples: missing fire extinguisher label, paper near torch area, kiln clearance violated, missing warning tape, wet floor near electrical, loose clothing on mannequin, no eyewash station sign, blocked exit path, respirator with expired cartridge, unmarked hot surface
  • Timer or stopwatch
  • Thermal color temperature reference chart (wall-mounted)

Instructions & Procedure

Part 1: PPE Donning Drill (10 minutes)

  1. Instructor demonstrates the correct donning sequence:
  2. Step 1: Thermal gloves (check cuffs cover wrists)
  3. Step 2: UV/IR safety glasses (confirm IR-rated lenses)
  4. Step 3: Face shield (positioned over glasses, covering full face)
  5. Step 4: Apron (tied securely, no loose fabric)
  6. Step 5: Hair secured, no dangling jewelry or loose clothing
  7. Students practice the sequence individually
  8. Students pair up and evaluate each other's donning:
  9. Is each item properly fitted?
  10. Is the sequence correct?
  11. Are there any loose items or gaps in coverage?
  12. Timed round: students complete the full donning sequence — target under 90 seconds
  13. Instructor reviews common errors: glasses under face shield (correct), gloves too loose, apron ties dangling

Part 2: Hazard Recognition Walkthrough (15 minutes)

  1. Instructor has pre-placed 10 hazard markers/intentional errors in the kiln and torch work areas
  2. Students walk through the workspace individually with their hazard checklist
  3. For each hazard identified, students must:
  4. Describe the hazard (what is wrong)
  5. Classify the hazard type (thermal, respiratory, radiation, fire, electrical, ergonomic)
  6. State the correct remediation (what should be done to fix it)
  7. Rate severity (low, medium, high, critical)
  8. Students have 10 minutes to identify as many of the 10 hazards as possible

Part 3: Debrief and Discussion (5 minutes)

  1. Instructor reveals all 10 hazards and correct classifications
  2. Group discusses any hazards that were commonly missed and why
  3. Instructor emphasizes: in real work, you do this check EVERY TIME before starting, not just during training

Discussion Points

  • Why is the donning sequence specific (gloves first, not apron first)?
  • Which of the 10 hazards would be hardest to notice in a real workspace and why?
  • What is the difference between an engineering control and a PPE control?
  • Why do we classify hazard severity — how does it change the response?
  • What would you do if you found a critical hazard and the instructor was not present?

Expected Outcomes

  • Students complete the PPE donning sequence correctly and in under 90 seconds
  • Students identify at least 7 of 10 pre-placed hazards with correct classifications
  • Students demonstrate understanding that hazard recognition is a pre-work habit, not a one-time exercise
  • Students can articulate the difference between engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE

Assessment Rubric

Criteria Excellent (4) Proficient (3) Developing (2) Beginning (1)
PPE donning sequence Correct order, all items fitted, under 90 sec Correct order, minor fit issues 1-2 sequence errors, fit issues Multiple errors, unable to complete
Hazard identification 9-10 hazards found with correct classification 7-8 hazards found, most classified correctly 5-6 hazards found, some misclassified Fewer than 5 hazards identified
Remediation knowledge Correct fix stated for all identified hazards Correct fix for most hazards Partial remediation knowledge Unable to state appropriate fixes
Safety mindset Proactively identifies additional hazards beyond the 10 Engages seriously with the exercise Completes task but shows limited engagement Does not take exercise seriously

Safety Considerations

  • This is a training exercise — no actual hot glass, kiln firing, or torch ignition during this activity
  • If using an actual kiln room, ensure all equipment is OFF and cool before the walkthrough
  • Students should still wear safety glasses during the walkthrough (sharp edges in glass work areas)
  • Ensure walkthrough path is clear of tripping hazards
  • If any real hazard is discovered during the exercise (not a planted one), stop the activity and address it immediately

Last Updated: 2026-03-19