Glassblowing Waiver – Private Class

VETRO GLASSBLOWING STUDIO, INC.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY

I am participating in a class at Vetro Glassblowing Studio, Inc. I understand that the artists will instruct me in working with glass art, here in after called Glassblowing. I understand that I will be working with others who blow glass and create other types of glass art. I understand that the following elements of working with glass at the studio are guidelines that need to be followed and are explained below in this document:

  1. The art of Glassblowing requires me to work with molten glass that is extremely hot at approximately 2100 degrees Fahrenheit;
  2. It is essential that I exercise all safety precautions;
  3. It will be necessary for me to gather multiple applications of molten glass from a furnace that is at least 2140 degrees Fahrenheit;
  4. The molten glass will be gathered from the furnace with a 5 feet long glassblowing pipe;
  5. The pipe will absorb heat from the furnace and I must exercise caution when handling the pipe after it has been in the furnace;
  6. I will have to position myself approximately 2 to 4 feet away from the face of the door of the furnace in order to gather the molten glass on the steel punty (pipe);
  7. The glass is extremely fluid when hot and will drip if not continually rotated and/or turned;
  8. It is easy to lose control of the fluid, hot glass when it is initially taken out of the furnace or reheated in the reheating furnace;
  9. ALL TOOLS and GLASS used in the studio have the potential to be EXTREMELY HOT;
  10. EXTREME CAUTION must be used before touching ANY tools or glass as they conduct heat from the furnace and/or reheating furnace
  11. My hand will be less than 1 inch away from the approximately 2100 degree Fahrenheit fluid, hot glass in order to shape the molten glass into the desired form;
  12. Approximately 1/4 inch of wet newspaper will be placed between my hand and the molten glass as I shape the glass;
  13. The steel punty (pipe) must be rotated constantly throughout the heating and shaping processes to avoid having the glass fall from the pipe;
  14. I will blow air into the end of the pipe or through a tube connected to the end of the pipe while shaping and forming the glass;
  15. I will reheat the glass in a reheating furnace which is approximately 2300 degrees Fahrenheit;
  16. I will have to position myself approximately 2 to 3 feet from the face of the reheating furnace to reheat the glass;
  17. I will use wet wooden cups, paddles, jacks, cutting objects and other tools on or near the reheated glass to attain the desired shape of the glass;
  18. I will transfer the glass from a pipe to a punty; This transfer process can be extremely dangerous and, if not done correctly, the glass may fall to the ground near my feet;
  19. At any time, the glass may drip or break off of the pipe or punty and may fall or land near my body;
  20. I will keep a safe distance away from any glass that falls to the ground;
  21. When the glass piece is completed, I will break the glass, which may be around 2100 degrees Fahrenheit, off of the steel punty or pipe into a pair of large gloves that I am wearing;
  22. I will place the piece into an annealer that will be approximately 950 degrees Fahrenheit where it will eventually cool;
  23. To place the piece properly in the annealer, I will have to lean my head and body into it, close to the heating elements;
  24. To place the piece properly in the annealer, I must wear a long sleeved cotton shirt, large gloves and a mask;
  25. Portions of hot glass remain on the pipes, punties and other tools after the glass piece is finished; I will not touch any portion of the tools that were touched by or close to the glass;
  26. Bits of small glass may pop out or explode as these remaining portions of hot glass cool on the pipes, punties and tools; I will keep a safe distance away from any tools that have glass remaining on them;
  27. I WILL NOT TOUCH MY GLASS PIECE, NOR ANYONE ELSE’S;
  28. The glass piece may take several days to cool in the annealer before it can he touched;
  29. I am not required to participate in any step of the Glassblowing process that concerns me or makes me fear for my safety or the safety of others;
  30. AT ANY TIME, I may request assistance from the instructor(s);
  31. I am aware of the potential risks and hazards associated with the Glassblowing process including but not limited to the above referenced elements;
  32. I understand that there are significant risks of injury to myself or others or personal property when participating in Glassblowing;
  33. Vetro Glassblowing Studio, Inc. is not liable for injury to me or damage to my personal property caused by the actions of other artists or students in the studio. During the Glassblowing class, I understand that I will be working around other artists who may be assisting with other projects and tasks in the studio, and I will be near them while they are working with machinery and studio maintenance.
  34. I will work in and around flammable equipment, tools and objects;
  35. I will work around machines powered with gas; I understand that any ignitions near a gas leak can be EXTREMELY DANGEROUS or even fatal;
  36. I will work around and with machines running at temperatures of up to 2400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  37. I will lift heavy equipment, tools and objects;
  38. I will be working in a studio that has machines, equipment and tools with sharp edges;
  39. I WILL HANDLE ALL EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS WITH CAUTION AND SAFETY;
  40. I will be working around shards of and broken glass and therefore must exercise extreme caution;
  41. I am not required to complete any tasks that concerns me or makes me fear for my safety or the safety of others;
  42. I am aware of the potential risks and hazards associated with taking a class in a glassblowing studio including but not limited to the above referenced elements;
  43. I understand that there are significant risks of injury to myself or others or personal property when participating in various tasks and projects within a glassblowing studio;
  44. Vetro Glassblowing Studio, Inc. is not liable for injury to me or damage to my personal property if caused by my own unsafe or incautious handling of equipment, tools, machinery or other objects within the studio.
  45. I understand that the Glassblowing Class will last for more than one session and on more than one day and that all of the elements set forth above will apply to each of the sessions in which I participate.

Now that I have been informed of and understand the elements set forth above, I agree to assume the risk personally and hold Vetro Glassblowing Studio, Inc. and its employees and contractors harmless if any injury should occur to me or my property. I personally assume any liability associated with my participation in Glassblowing, assisting glassblowers and other work completed within the glassblowing studio and agree that Vetro Glassblowing Studio, Inc. and its employees and contractors will NOT be held liable for any personal injuries or damage to personal property that may be incurred by me during my participation in any projects or tasks at the studio.

PARENTAL/GUARDIAN AUTHORIZATION:
I have read and understand that my son/daughter will be participating in and around all of the elements described above on these three (3) pages. I believe my son/daughter has the physical, mental and emotional ability and maturity to handle the elements described and to work with satisfactory caution and safety in, near, around and with all tools, equipment, machinery and glass, whether hot or cold. I authorize my son/daughter to work at the glassblowing studio and to participate in Glassblowing. I am aware of the high risks associated with glassblowing and with working in a glassblowing studio; I will not hold Vetro Glassblowing Studio, Inc. liable for injury to my son/daughter or damage to my son’s/daughter’s personal property.