The potential hazards involved in glassblowing should be obvious. But there are various ways of minimizing those hazards - and one of them is to have some degree of awareness of the environment. We don't want to instill fear in anyone, but everyone DOES need to have a good, healthy respect for it!
Your physical presence in the glassblowing area should not be taken lightly. You'll be near equipment - and glass - that's over 2,000 degrees F. My worst burns have come from temperatures less than half that!
Don't panic, though - Amanda will explain all the precautions Glassblowing is actually pretty safe if you pay attention to your environment and give Amanda your FULL ATTENTION.
Be aware that not everyone is physically suited for glassblowing. We can work around a number of disabilities, but some will at least warrant some discussion. We really believe that anyone would enjoy the Experiences and benefit from them, but the risk of permanent disfiguration from molten glass is too severe to not be cautiously selective. Also, recent injuries as well as long-term disabilities can affect your safety.
- You really have to be sighted. Being able to see is an essential part of having awareness of your surroundings, which is crucial when working with anything this hot. Your sense of touch will help only so much - it won't keep you safe as your primary sense. A couple inches one way or the other on the blowpipe is the difference between "hot to the touch" and a major third-degree burn. Most of the length of the pipe can be handled with little discomfort, but in the last few inches, it goes from "warm" to well over 1,000 degrees - and that's during the entire blowing process. You have to know - with certainty - exactly where that hot end of the pipe is AT ALL TIMES.
- You really can't be wheelchair bound. A lap that can't be moved very quickly is a vulnerable target. Cooling glass that pops off the pipe can be near 1,000 degrees - and fly for a significant distance! Amanda does whatever possible to shield people from that kind of thing, but it's not always possible.
- You need to be at least mobile and fairly agile. Amanda will try to give you plenty of warning when she's moving, but there are times when you'll need to move RIGHT NOW.
- If you have an extreme sensitivity to heat, shortness of breath, anxiety disorder, any sort of weakness or recent injury, make sure to discuss it with Amanda. If you decide to go ahead and reserve a spot, anything you've paid is refundable if you decide this isn't a good idea.
