Safety First
There's nothing quite like firing up the torch in the garage and watching glass transform. Torch work is as thrilling as it is unforgiving. But over time I've built a safety routine that keeps me safe, focused, and in the flow — and if you're curious about how I work or thinking about trying it yourself, here's what works for me.
PPE (personal protective equipment) stands between you and a very bad day.
Suit Up
1) Arm Sleeves - I wear kevlar arm sleeves that cover from my knuckles to my biceps, protecting against heat, cuts, and stray shards. I've felt glass ricochet off them in almost every torch session.
2) Goggles - Eye protection cannot be overstated. I never cut smalti or fire up the torch without them. Get a pair that fits well and that you can wear comfortably for hours — a few extra dollars is well worth it.
3) Canvas Apron - A heavy canvas apron is your first line of defense against glass splinters and heat. It also keeps your clothes protected since torch work is not kind to fabric.
4) Thick Gloves - Heat-resistant and heavy duty, I pull these gloves on when I need to nudge hot elements on my worktable, such as a hot cauldron.
5) Close-toed Shoes - The simplest and most overlooked piece of protective gear in the workshop. Early in my glass journey I made the mistake of wearing flip flops — a flaming shard landed on top of my foot and I still have the scar.
Your environment is just as essential to your safety as the gear you wear.
Set the Scene
6) Shop Vac - The safest and most efficient way to clean up glass shards and splinters in the workshop — and an essential part of my routine. I use it to clear my workstation during long sessions and always to clean up at the end. Sweeping sends fine glass particles into the air and across the floor, but a shop vac pulls everything up and contains it.
7) Hair Back - I have long hair and keep it tied back every single session, without exception. An open flame and loose hair are a dangerous combination. This is not the place to let your hair down.
8) Lighting - Good lighting isn't just about comfort — it's a safety essential. Working with small, sharp pieces of hot glass in poor light is asking for trouble. In addition to the overhead garage lighting, I have a work light directly above my torch table that shines down onto my work surface. And when the bay door opens, a little natural light never hurts either.
9) Ventilation - Torch work produces fumes you do not want to breathe. Before I fire up, the bay door is open and air is moving. I also keep a small fan at my workstation that pulls air directly out through the bay door, keeping fumes away from my face and out of the garage.
And one more thing…
10) Patience - Perhaps the most important item on this list. Rushing through torch work is how accidents happen. I've learned to slow down, stay present, and never work when I'm distracted or tired. Resist the urge to peek at your gorgeous new threads before they've had time to cool. Trust me, they'll be worth the wait.