Product Overview

Summary: This Glass Installation Safety Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step-by-step framework for planning and carrying out glass handling and installation tasks safely on Australian worksites. It helps businesses control the significant risks associated with manual glass handling, working at heights, and breakages, while supporting compliance with WHS legislation and industry best practice.

Glass installation work exposes workers to serious hazards including crush injuries, severe cuts, falls from height, and musculoskeletal disorders from repetitive and awkward manual handling. This Glass Installation Safety Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured, practical method for safely receiving, storing, moving, lifting, and installing glass in domestic, commercial, and industrial environments across Australia. It provides clear controls for tasks such as installing windows and doors, curtain wall systems, balustrades, shower screens, shopfronts, and architectural glazing.

The procedure is designed to help businesses demonstrate due diligence under Australian WHS laws by embedding risk management into everyday operations. It covers pre-start planning, selection and inspection of glass handling equipment, correct use of mechanical aids and suction lifters, safe work at heights, control of falling objects, and emergency response in the event of glass breakage or injury. By implementing this SOP, organisations can standardise how glass installation is planned and executed across teams and sites, reduce incident rates, and provide consistent, defensible training material for workers and subcontractors.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of lacerations, crush injuries, and falls during glass handling and installation activities.
• Ensure consistent, compliant work practices that align with Australian WHS legislation and relevant glazing standards.
• Standardise training for glaziers and installers, improving competency and reducing variability between crews and sites.
• Improve job planning and coordination, minimising rework, material damage, and project delays caused by unsafe methods.
• Demonstrate due diligence to clients, principal contractors, and regulators through a documented, auditable safety procedure.

Who is this for?

• Glaziers
• Glass Installers
• Shopfront Installation Teams
• Residential and Commercial Builders
• Site Supervisors
• Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Construction Company Directors
• Facilities and Maintenance Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Lacerations and puncture wounds from broken or sharp glass edges
• Crush injuries from dropped or uncontrolled glass panels
• Musculoskeletal injuries from manual handling of heavy or awkward glass units
• Falls from height during installation of upper-level windows, balustrades, and curtain walls
• Falling objects striking workers or the public below during elevated installations
• Glass breakage due to incorrect lifting, fixing, or support methods
• Pinch and entrapment injuries when using glass lifting devices and trolleys
• Exposure to hazardous environments such as live edges, incomplete structures, or adverse weather conditions

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 References, Standards and Legislative Requirements
• 3.0 Definitions and Terminology (Glazing and Installation)
• 4.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 5.0 Required Licences, Training and Inductions
• 6.0 Tools, Equipment and Mechanical Aids for Glass Handling
• 7.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 8.0 Pre-Start Planning and Job Safety Analysis (JSA/SWMS) Integration
• 9.0 Site Inspection, Access and Housekeeping Requirements
• 10.0 Glass Delivery, Unloading and On-Site Storage Procedures
• 11.0 Manual Handling Techniques for Glass Sheets and Units
• 12.0 Use of Trolleys, A-Frames, Slings and Glass Lifting Devices
• 13.0 Use of Vacuum Lifters and Inspection of Suction Equipment
• 14.0 Working at Heights and Edge Protection for Glass Installation
• 15.0 Step-by-Step Procedure – Window and Door Glass Installation
• 16.0 Step-by-Step Procedure – Balustrades, Shopfronts and Curtain Walls
• 17.0 Controls for Public Safety and Exclusion Zones
• 18.0 Management of Adverse Weather and Environmental Conditions
• 19.0 Handling, Clean-up and Disposal of Broken Glass
• 20.0 Incident, Near Miss and Damage Reporting Requirements
• 21.0 Emergency Response and First Aid for Glass-Related Injuries
• 22.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Storage of Equipment
• 23.0 Training, Competency Assessment and Refresher Requirements
• 24.0 Document Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace
• AS/NZS 2208: Safety glazing materials in buildings
• AS 1288: Glass in buildings – Selection and installation
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices
• AS/NZS 1576 series: Scaffolding
• AS/NZS 4994 series: Temporary edge protection