I got burned... and some safety questions

[amyhoust]

A few days ago I got a bad burn on my arm because a chunk of molten glass shot off the rod... and somehow managed to go up my sleeve. I wasn't wearing especially tight-fitting sleeves, but they weren't loose or baggy either. It was a pretty lucky shot on the glass's part :/ But yeah, I burnt my cardigan, and my poor arm, which is still hurting now about 3 days later.

My mom told me she heard somewhere that certain fabrics are especially combustible. My cardigan is cotton I think, it is burned inside but didn't burst into flames or anything. But it got me thinking, because I usually don't overly concern myself with what I'm wearing at the torch. Other than, not wearing nice clothes, because I've gotten quite a few holes in things here and there from small bits of hot glass landing on me. What do you all wear and why? Or what not? I read a previous post that said nylon and polyester were bad, cotton good? I remember from my first bead class that fleece was really bad. Hmm. I'm usually not even very aware of what my fabrics' content is. Like, I don't know what fleece is made of. I do torch in a fleece vest sometimes, but at least it is not directly touching my skin (so it wouldn't melt right to my skin).

And while I'm here in the safety forum, I work with my studio door open to help with ventilation. The problem is that my cats like to come in and visit me. They will jump right up on my table like 2 inches away from my flame! And I can't keep them out without closing the door. Are they dumb enough to burn themselves? It scares me so much every time they do it. Also what about glass shards in their little paws? Has anyone had experience with this? So far they seem fine, but I worry about them :(

[Kevan]

Cotton good. Natural fibers good. Acetate will go up like a torch, but not many clothes are made from that now.

I wear polar fleece alot and it's been hit with glass. It just gets a hole in it. I have actual bits of glass embeded in my favorite one to torch in.

Shawnette had her pants catch on fire once and she got burned pretty bad. I don't know what the fabric was.

Your cats could catch on fire. lol Fur, like hair, burns. They could get a little shard in the eye, too. I would try to keep them out.

[kahlamodie]

....

Your cats could catch on fire. lol Fur, like hair, burns. They could get a little shard in the eye, too. I would try to keep them out.

Yep, I would imagine a cat on fire would be a very hard thing to catch and put out....seriously! Possibly catch your house on fire if it took off running through the house, which is probably what it would do. I`m always afraid mine would want to chew on the little pieces of glass that are lying around. They like to pick stuff up and carry it around like the dogs do.
Maybe you could lock your cat in another part of the house when you torch? Or get a screen door installed in the doorway which would let fresh air in but keep the cat out?

[swanseafarm]

I only wear natural cottons.

I prefer short sleeve tshirts while torching. My cats are usually outside but occasionally are in while I torch but all have learned to steer clear of the bench area. It's better to keep animals out though when possible I think.

:)

[rosiescreations]

After many serious burns my DH made me a leather apron. It has saved me many times.
I think they have the leather ones at harbor frieght

[Feldt's Glass]

Leather is a good choice but expensive. If you really want to see how fast some cottons can go up in flames light a towel on fire. Not all cotten fabrics are created equal. The way the fabric is weaved plays a big part at is flamability and also if it has been treated with anything. Try to find items that have a tight weave like Jeans for pants and teas that don't have polly in them. Stay away from the jeans that have streatch in them they burn easier and will stick to your skin if they get hot enough. I go for short sleeves for the reason you got burned, and as far as a undergarments. Stay away from padding! You don't want the girls going up in flames if a piece of glass goes down your shirt!!! Most are made of fabrics that melt or burn up super fast.

[boxergirl]

Cats will set themselves on fire. I've seen it, and it doesn't smell good either (don't worry, we got the cat put out rather quickly, but it still stunk). If a screen door isn't an option, you could use two baby gates, one over the other to block the door. We used to do that for a very jumpy little dog that could clear a single gate.

[Juliac]

If it touches skin, you know it immediatly and can brush it off, but with clothing it can smolder. I cut the sleeves off of an old sweatshirt and wear that to keep my body warm but my arms bare. Sorry you got burned. But at the top of my teaching release it says you will get burned and cut.
Careful with those kitties!

[Peach Blossom Beads]

I have an awesome leather (actually suede ) apron that I got for like $26.00?? It's the best one out there. Not expensive at all. It goes down to the middle of my shins and is a bib-type apron. Best money I spent - totally worth it. It doesn't get holes in it and a lot of glass has landed on that puppy, barely gets burn marks. I also know of someone who got an old suede coat at good will and uses that, but for the money, why not get the right thing?

Oh. And cats will definately set themselves on fire. And you won't be able to catch them. The thought makes me shudder.

[MikeAurelius]

If you have a farm supply shop near you, look for a leather farrier's apron. I got mine at our local Fleet Supply and it was about $30.00.

As others have said, natural fabics -- stay away from plastic based materials such as nylon and rayon -- they will melt into your skin and your burn will be 10 times worse.

As far as the cats are concerned, keep them out of your studio at all costs -- not only flaming cat hair, but tiny cuts on their paw pads from glass shards.

[InspirationToolworks]

My understanding is that the problem is two fold for synthetic fabrics.

1) They melt. Fluid contact will transfer a lot more heat to you. This is bad.

2) When molten, they stick, meaning you can't easily stop it from transferring heat to you. And when you pull them off, they may pull skin off, further damaging your skin.

Solders in Iraq had to be ordered to stop wearing unapproved wicking clothing like Under Armor due to just this problem. The wicking clothing was way more comfortable, but much more dangerous in case of fire or explosion.

-Jeff

[Emily]

Harbor Freight has leather aprons that are really cheap. I forget what I paid for mine, but I remember it was cheap. You can also get cloth aprons that are treated to be flame resistant. Welding supply places will have leather protective gear. Jewelry supply places, and some general safety gear places will have cloth aprons, but not all will be flame resistant. Avoid cloth aprons with pockets. You don't want a bit of glass to get caught and smolder.

Wool is a good natural fiber if you're working in a cold area. It will smell like burning hair if it gets hot glass on it, but it won't melt onto your skin.

If you want to protect your arms, you can get kevlar sleeves or gloves. Most places that sell supplies to glass blowers or boro workers carry them. For example:

http://www.waleapparatus.com/walestore/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=227

[Sue in Maine]

I t*h*i*n*k polar fleece is a nylon based product, hence it will melt, burn onto your skin and stick there. Very very bad stuff.

Sue

[xiola blue]

Actually, all the plastic soda bottles you recycle are what fleece is made of, and you know how easily those can be melted! xiola

[Rose]

I've taught my cats they aren't allowed near my bench with a spray of water from a water bottle. Even when I'm not torching, if I catch them on the bench they get chased with water. They never come up there any more when I'm working.

I saw those leather aprons at Harbor Freight for about $7.

[skookum]

Keep the cats out!!!! The burning point has been mentioned and so has the glass shards, BUT when a glass shard goes unnoticed, which it will, can lead to a nasty chronic infection that left untreated can lead to kidney damage depending on the content of glass (think metals). This can lead to $$$$ vet bills and not a nice diagnosis for the kitty.

My leather apron has saved my skin a few times. Gander is a good brand to get.

DH works for the power company and they cannot wear anything that is not all natural (this also includes the tightey-whities). Cotton, wool, silk natural fibers only.
Sherri

[cgreagor]

Get yourself a suede/leather apron. I think I found mine on eBay for 20 bucks. It will protect your lap and keep it warm in the winter...summer may be another story. Also, try the "hot glove" I have seen. They have holes for your fingers and go up your arms.

Yes, spray the little buys with water as they come close to you while you are torching! It will teach them nicely but quickly to stay away.

[Wonker]

Leather is good...but really hard to wear top to bottom......but then there's mohair.....(grins)...made from goat hair...won't burn....

[RSimmons]

Harbor Freight has leather aprons in the welding supply part of the store. I got mine for $8. I also wear cotton clothing when torching. Cotton or other natural fibers are also recommended for air travel for a little extra edge in the unfortunate event of fire. They don't catch fire quickly and they don't melt to your skin.

Robert