Product Overview

This Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) sets out the step-by-step safety controls for glass cutting, polishing, and associated processing tasks in a factory environment, helping you achieve and demonstrate WHS compliance. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of Glass Processing Factory Cutting and Polishing, from initial cutting and shaping through to washing, laminating, and finishing of glass products.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe fusing of glass pieces together, including heat management, handling of hot glass, and control of burn and fire risks
• Operation of glass arisser machines, including guarding, pinch-point controls, and management of glass edge hazards
• Use of vertical glass cutters, with controls for glass stability, breakage, manual handling, and entrapment risks
• Safe operation of glass drills, including securing workpieces, managing rotating parts, and controlling flying debris
• Use of glass grinders, including dust control, guarding, and prevention of contact with grinding wheels
• Glass polishing processes, including use of polishing machinery, abrasive compounds, and control of splash and noise exposure
• Operation of glass sheet washing machines, including loading/unloading procedures and managing slip, trip, and electrical hazards
• Use of glass washers, including isolation procedures, guarding, and safe access for cleaning and maintenance
• Hot bending glass procedures, including thermal shock control, PPE requirements, and safe use of kilns or bending ovens
• Construction of insulating glass units (IGUs), including handling of multiple panes, spacers, and sealants
• Creation of laminated glass, including safe handling of interlayers, presses, and curing equipment
• Power-assisted glass cutting, with controls for powered cutters, noise, vibration, and emergency stop features
• Use of hand glass cutting tools, including correct cutting techniques, PPE, and safe break-out of glass
• Manual handling and mechanical assistance for lifting, turning, and transporting large glass sheets
• Housekeeping, waste management, and safe disposal of glass offcuts, shards, and slurry from grinding and polishing

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for glass processing factories, glazing workshops, IGU and laminated glass manufacturers, and site supervisors overseeing glass cutting, grinding, polishing, and related plant operations.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace – guidance on safe use, guarding, and maintenance of glass processing machinery
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace – controls for sealants, adhesives, cleaning agents, and other chemicals used in glass processing
• Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – risk management framework applied to all glass cutting and polishing activities
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities – ventilation, lighting, amenities, and emergency access in glass processing factories
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – guidance for lifting, carrying, and manoeuvring large and heavy glass sheets
• AS/NZS 4024 (Safety of machinery series) – principles for machinery safety, guarding, and emergency stop systems for glass cutting and polishing equipment
• AS/NZS 4667: Quality requirements for cut-to-size and processed glass – quality and handling considerations for processed flat glass
• AS/NZS 2208: Safety glazing materials in buildings – safety performance requirements for toughened, laminated, and processed glass products
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017