Product Overview

Summary: This Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, practical framework for ensuring glazing work complies with the latest Australian Standards and WHS obligations. It guides glazing businesses through design, selection, installation and verification steps so that every pane, frame and fixing meets safety, performance and legal requirements across Australian building projects.

Glazing is a critical safety element in Australian buildings, particularly in areas such as doors, balustrades, bathrooms, stairways, and high-traffic commercial spaces. When glass is incorrectly specified, installed or documented, the consequences can include serious injury from glass breakage, non-compliant balustrades, water ingress, failed inspections, and costly rework. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, end-to-end process to ensure all glazing activities are aligned with relevant Australian Standards, National Construction Code (NCC) requirements, and WHS legislation.

The procedure covers the full lifecycle of glazing work, from interpreting architectural and engineering documentation, selecting compliant glass types and framing systems, and verifying load and impact requirements, through to installation, inspection, documentation and handover. It clarifies who is responsible for each step, what checks must be performed, and which records must be kept to demonstrate compliance. By embedding this SOP into your business, you create a repeatable system that reduces ambiguity on site, supports safe work practices, and provides a defensible compliance trail for audits, certifications and incident investigations.

This SOP is particularly valuable for glazing contractors and builders working across multiple states and territories, where consistency and documentation are essential. It helps align field teams, supervisors, designers and certifiers around a common method, reducing disputes, delays and non-conformance notices. The result is safer installations, smoother inspections and greater confidence that your glazing work will stand up to regulatory and client scrutiny.

Key Benefits

• Ensure glazing works consistently meet applicable Australian Standards, NCC requirements and WHS legislation.
• Reduce the risk of glass-related injuries by embedding robust selection, installation and inspection controls.
• Streamline communication between designers, installers, supervisors and certifiers with clear roles and sign-off points.
• Minimise costly rework, non-conformance notices and project delays due to glazing non-compliance.
• Strengthen your compliance evidence trail with standardised checklists, inspection records and installation documentation.

Who is this for?

• Glazing Contractors
• Window and Door Installers
• Shopfront and Facade Installers
• Residential and Commercial Builders
• Site Supervisors and Forepersons
• WHS Managers and Coordinators
• Construction Project Managers
• Building Surveyors and Certifiers
• Architects and Building Designers
• Quality and Compliance Managers in Construction and Manufacturing

Hazards Addressed

• Injury from glass breakage due to incorrect glass type or thickness
• Falls from height due to non-compliant balustrade and barrier glazing
• Impact injuries from non-safety glass in doors, side panels and low-level glazing
• Cuts and lacerations during handling and installation of glass panels
• Structural failure of glazed assemblies due to non-compliant fixings or framing
• Water ingress and subsequent mould or slip hazards from poorly detailed glazing
• Manual handling injuries from improper lifting and movement of glass units

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose, Scope and Application
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms (Including Types of Safety Glass and Critical Locations)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Australian Standards and NCC Requirements
• 5.0 Pre-Project Planning and Design Review for Glazing Compliance
• 6.0 Glass and Framing Selection Criteria (Impact, Load, Location and Safety Requirements)
• 7.0 Procurement and Verification of Glazing Products (Certificates, Test Reports and Traceability)
• 8.0 Site Preparation, Risk Assessment and Safe Work Method Integration
• 9.0 Installation Procedure for Compliant Glazing Systems
• 10.0 Specific Requirements for Doors, Balustrades, Wet Areas and Human Impact Zones
• 11.0 Fixings, Sealants and Structural Support Requirements
• 12.0 Inspection, Testing and Verification Checklists
• 13.0 Non-Conformance Management and Rectification Processes
• 14.0 Documentation, Recordkeeping and Handover Requirements
• 15.0 Training, Induction and Competency Assessment for Glazing Personnel
• 16.0 Continuous Improvement, Audit and Review of Glazing Compliance

Legislation & References

• AS 1288: Glass in buildings – Selection and installation
• AS/NZS 2208: Safety glazing materials in buildings
• AS 2047: Windows and external glazed doors in buildings
• AS 1170 series: Structural design actions (for load requirements on glazed elements and balustrades)
• AS 1926.1: Swimming pool safety – Safety barriers (where relevant to glazed pool barriers)
• National Construction Code (NCC) – Building Code of Australia (BCA), Volume One and Two – Glazing and balustrade provisions
• Model Work Health and Safety Act and Regulations (as implemented in each state and territory)
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace