Haus und Freizeit - bfu

4.4.2 «Broken glass, sheetmetal, etc.»
accident segment
4.4.3 «Equipment, tools, appliances, machinery»
accident segment
In this accident segment, children and adolescents as
well as adults represent risk groups. For the children
and adolescents age segment, prevention methods
are recommended to help increase an awareness of
the danger (Table 7). The same is true in respect of
the supervisor responsible. Based on an epidemiological
analysis and the literature, glass is a material of
particular importance. Prevention activities should
include interventions that prevent cuts and stab
wounds as well as contusions caused by glass. This
applies to furniture (including glass doors) and generally
fragile items. For adults, prevention methods are
recommended, which are associated with the serving
of drinks in glass containers at parties/events.
Table 7
Recommended prevention options for accidents caused by
broken glass, sheetmetal, etc.
Children and adolescents as well as adults were
also identified as risk groups for this segment. In
connection with preventive activities, a difference
between equipment, tools, appliances and machinery
requiring or not requiring power or between
external energy (e.g. a chain saw) and self-energy
(e.g. a hammer) appears useful. Unlike adults, accidents
or injuries occur among children and adolescents
less due to the intended use, but rather as
a result of thoughtless play and childlike curiosity.
Prevention options aimed at improving risk awareness
should be the focal point for the child and
adolescent age group (Table 8). In contrast, fall
prevention options for adults are very diverse and
include aspects of both behavioral as well as situational
prevention. Targeted prevention efforts
should be focused on DIY activities.
Risk factor
Prevention option
Children and adolescents
None to limited awareness for Age-dependent attention drawn to
danger on the part of the victim awareness for danger
Low awareness for danger on
the part of the supervisor
Glass as a component of furniture/furnishings
Glass table and/or glass-topped
tables
Access to fragile items
Parties/events (glass bottles/glasses)
Unmarked glass doors
Supervisor must accept age-dependent
responsibility for prevention
Drawing the supervisor’s attention to
a marked awareness of danger
Safety glass for glass doors as well as
areas below 800cm
Do not allow children to play near glass
As a minimum, the sensitive lower half
of glass doors, French windows (floorlevel)
and windows adjacent to a play
area should be made of safety glass
Glass doors should be marked (e.g.
with stickers), to show their position
Use of safety glass
Dispose of/clear away table
Have no glass furniture in areas where
children play regularly
Keep children away from fragile items
Adults/senior citizens
Introduce plastic beakers and deposit
When leaving premises: refill drinks in
plastic cups
All age segments
Mark glass with stripes, symbols or
with transverse bars
Use safety glass (VSG, ESG)
bfu-Sicherheitsdossier Nr. 09 Kurzfassung / Version abrégée / Riassunto / Condensed Version 79