What is the primary hazard of working with foam glass?

• A. Irritation to the eyes and skin
• B. Respiratory irritation
• C. Electrical shock
• D. Noise-induced hearing loss

Answer: (A)

Handling foam glass mainly risks irritation to the eyes and skin because it is a glass-based material that can shed fine, abrasive particles when cut, broken, or disturbed. Those particles can easily get into the eyes, causing redness, irritation, or even injury, and can rub against or lodge in the skin, producing irritation or a rash. While inhaling dust from any glass-like insulation can irritate the respiratory tract, the immediate and most common hazard encountered during handling is contact irritation to eyes and skin. To reduce this risk, use eye protection with side shields or a face shield, wear gloves and long sleeves, and control dust with wet-cutting methods or local exhaust. Electrical shock and noise-induced hearing loss are not inherent hazards of the foam glass material itself, and are not the primary concerns here.