Use of grit with ground glass on walkways

[thelewisgang]

Is it legal for grit with ground glass to be used on walkways? The pieces of glass are minute but easily brought into the home on the soles of our shoes or in the dog's paws. A few weeks back I got a piece of this glass in my finger & had to undergo minor surgery to have it removed & I'm still being seen at the hospital re this finger as I'm in considerable pain with it. I've never known ground/minute pieces of glass to be used in the past

[vivandorron]

I know that pulverised glass is used in road construction materials and there is a product known as glassphalt; which is similar to asphalt. However I have not heard of glass being mixed with grit for dry paths.

Sorry to hear about your finger and hope it gets better very soon. Also I regret being unable to think what the legal position is in the matter.

Ron.

[tonywiltshire]

There may be a duty of care by the party who put the glass fragments on the walkway, I assume this was the local authority who would probably have a duty of care in this situation where one can reasonably foresee that one’s actions may cause damage to the person or property of others.
I suggest you notify the party in writing who arranged for the glass and grit to be applied to the walkway of the danger of this action.
If you intend to take action for negligence I suggest you first see a local solicitor as there is usually no liability in tort (civil wrong) for negligence unless the act, which caused damage, is a breach of duty of care owed to you.

[joko]

are you sure it came from from the mix?

how big are the grains? glass is made from sand.

i find it hard to believe theyd add anything with shards in... sure its practically powder... smaller than sand grains...

[thelewisgang]

thanks for all your replies. Joko I can assure you it is definitely larger than grains of sand - tiny, very sharp pieces some of which are clear & some clear green. We live on a park home estate & have no pavements as such but the roads have been covered with this stuff over the winter months - the park manager who has been consulted about this said it was what he was given & he has a lot more stored if we have bad weather shortly or at the end of this year. Many people have complained as its virtually impossible not to tread it indoors & every day I sweep the kitchen floor & there are pieces that I pick up. When we and others complained, a road sweeper company was hired to come round & although it has improved things, the problem still exists. I am going to write to the head office of the company who own our park (they ignored an email from the park manager recently!) and will await their reply, with interest.

[vivandorron]

thelewisgang.... Hopefully, from lots of posting which I have made in AB, you will know that I shall not be offended if my suggestions are dismissed.

Why not have a word with the Health and Safety department of your local authority.? I feel sure that if your local authority has Not approved the material used on the walkway, it will be interested and possible advise you a course of action.

Ron.

[thelewisgang]

thanks Ron. good idea - will give that a try. be in touch soon x

[joko]

in that case, then its outrageous. if the glass was completely powdered then ok, but glass doesnt break down, so it will stay until its brushed up

i assume this mix was created because of last years ice drama because its cheap - recycled bottles etc - and they havent really thought through the effects - on pets, wild animals, babies, small kids etc

i doubt speaking to the council will change anything - at least not withotu a bit of a campagn behind you
id speak to your local paper - i bet most people dont know about it and would join you

[thelewisgang]

thanks joko. I will certainly persue this as it is outrageous & I won't rest till I get an answer that this will not be used again on icy areas. It would make sense that its cheap to buy as the site owner's always do things on the cheap! I really do appreciate you posting. thank you

[joko]

if its to be used it needs to be powdered... but then i suppose it defeats the object...
i cant see the point - its not like we are short of sand is it?

[thelewisgang]

I agree & as I said before I will not 'just forget it'. I will compose a letter in the next day or two & hope I will get a reply soon after but if I don't then they will get another letter! Shame we can't post pictures on here as I'd do one of this damn glass. thanks again & I will re-post once I get some sort of explanation. all the best