In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “ANSI Standard” means the American National Standards Institute Standard ANSI z 97.1 – 1984, as adopted most recently by the Department in the Maryland Building Performance Standards. “Department” means the Maryland Department of Labor. “Fixed glazed panel immediately adjacent to an entrance or exit door” means the first fixed glazed panel that: is beside an entrance or exit door; has a glazing less than 18 inches from the finished floor or the least dimension of which is 18 inches or more; and may be mistaken as a means of egress or ingress. “Hazardous location” means a place for a door, panel, enclosure, or other element, that is glazed or to be glazed, in a residential, industrial, commercial, institutional, or public building where the use of material other than safety glazing material constitutes an unreasonable hazard. “Hazardous location” includes a place for a framed or unframed exit door, a storm door except an operating vent on a jalousie door, a fixed or moving sliding door, a shower door, a tub enclosure, a fixed glazed panel immediately adjacent to an entrance or exit door, and any other element, that is glazed or to be glazed, whether or not the glazing is transparent. “Safety glazing material” means glazing material that: is constructed, treated, or combined with other materials to minimize the likelihood of cutting and piercing injuries resulting from human contact with the glazing material; and meets the test requirements of the ANSI Standard. “Safety glazing material” includes tempered glass, laminated glass, wire glass, or rigid plastic.

This subtitle does not apply to a person who executed a legally binding written contract before July 1, 1973, to sell, fabricate, assemble, glaze, install, consent to, or cause to be installed, glazing material other than safety glazing material in, or for use in, a hazardous location in the State. This subtitle supersedes any county or municipal ordinance that relates to safety glazing, that is less stringent than those in effect under this subtitle. This subtitle does not preclude a political subdivision of the State from adopting and enforcing requirements and regulations that are more stringent than those in effect under this subtitle.

After notice and hearing as required under Title 10, Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article, the Department may adopt additional requirements for safety glazing material.

After notice and hearing as required under Title 10, Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article, the Department may determine whether a location is a hazardous location. After notice and hearing, the Department may except from safety glazing requirements a panel in a hazardous location if the panel: is less than 200 square inches; and is located so that the use of material other than safety glazing material would not constitute an unreasonable hazard.

Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, each light of safety glazing material manufactured, imported, or sold for use in a hazardous location or installed in a hazardous location in the State shall be permanently labeled by etching, sandblasting, firing of ceramic material, hot-die stamping, or other means. The label shall be legible and visible after installation. The label shall: identify the labeler; identify whether the labeler is a manufacturer, fabricator, or installer; identify the nominal thickness and type of safety glazing material; and state that the safety glazing material meets the test requirements of the ANSI Standard. Wire glass, laminated glass, or rigid plastic that is further fabricated after manufacture need not be permanently labeled if the seller or installer of the material gives each buyer of the material a certificate that states that the wire glass, laminated glass, or rigid plastic meets the test requirements of the ANSI Standard. Safety glazing labeling may not be used on material other than safety glazing material.

A person may not in the State knowingly sell, install, consent, or cause to be installed glazing material other than safety glazing material in, or for use in, a hazardous location. A worker who is an employee of a contractor, subcontractor, or other employer responsible for compliance with this subtitle, is not liable for a violation of this subtitle.

A person may not violate this subtitle. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.