A glazier is a professional who works with glass. These individuals are responsible for installing, repairing and replacing glass in residential and commercial settings and also in automobiles. These individuals cut, grind, polish and drill glass into finished products. They may handle large sheets of glass in the warehouse, oversee the transportation of the glass and install the glass at the work site. It is not uncommon for glaziers to operate slings and power lift devices in order to manipulate the glass sheets they are working with. Glaziers also use caulk, sealant and adhesive on a regular basis in the course of their day-to-day work. Self-employed glaziers are also in charge of a variety of administrative tasks, such as the preparation of estimates and invoices and the supervision of employees.
The profession of a glazier is not without risks. Oftentimes these individuals will find themselves working at construction sites, where there may be a variety of hazards. The heights that these professionals work at and the use of ladders and scaffolds can make a glazier prone to dangerous falls. The weight of the large sheets of glass that a glazier handles can commonly cause back injuries. Serious cuts from shards of glass are also a risk that a glazier may face. These professionals may also develop respiratory problems after years of inhaling dust from cutting and grinding the glass they work with.
If a glazier suffers an accident at the workplace or an injury or illness that is not job-related, they may be unable to maintain employment in their chosen profession. When this happens, these individuals often wonder how they will be able to pay the bills and make ends meet. In some cases, Social Security Disability benefits may be able to help.
Working with a Disability as a Glazier
Individuals who are trained as glaziers are highly-skilled professionals. It takes years to become an expert in this profession. When a glazier becomes disabled, he or she may not be able to carry out their routine job-related functions. For example, a glazier who suffers a serious back injury will not be able to manipulate the large sheets of glass that these professionals are required to work with. A glazier who suffers a respiratory condition may have to stay away from the dust created by the normal duties of the job. In these cases, the glazier may need to file a claim for Social Security Disability benefits.
When a glazier is filing for disability benefits, the Social Security Administration will look at a number of factors in determining whether or not to approve the disability claim. The adjudicator reviewing the disability file will look at the medical evidence pertaining to the applicant's disability. They will also take into account the age of the glazier and what other jobs the individual may be able to perform in the national economy. In doing so, the applicant's education, work history and vocational skills will be evaluated. If it is determined that the glazier can perform other types of work, the Social Security Disability claim will not be approved by the Social Security Administration.
Applying for Social Security Disability as a Glazier
Glaziers spend years honing the skills of their trade. When an injury or illness prevents them from continuing in their chosen line of work, it can be a devastating experience. While some glaziers may be able to train for a different career path, this will not be possible for every glazier who becomes disabled.
Because a glazier's skills are very job-specific, transferring those skills to another profession can be nearly impossible. When a glazier suffers from a disability that prevents them from doing their job, they will often need Social Security Disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. However, the Social Security Administration may not understand the extent to which the disability has affected the disability applicant. Because of this, you may want to consider retaining the services of a qualified Social Security Disability attorney or advocate when filing your disability claim.
A disability advocate or attorney can help you complete your disability claim properly and can present your application in the best light possible to the Social Security Administration. If, for some reason, your initial claim for Social Security Disability benefits is denied, your advocate or attorney can work with you to appeal the SSA's decision to deny your benefits. For example, if the SSA denied your application based on the assumption that you could perform other work in the national economy, your attorney could retain a vocational expert to testify on your behalf at a disability hearing. This could result in the judge deciding in your favor and awarding you the disability benefits you need.
