Glass Manufacturing SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers glass manufacturing from material receipt and preparation through melting, forming, coating, finishing, packing, maintenance and clean-up. It supports work planning and risk management by addressing glass, heat, dust, chemicals, plant movement and handling activities.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Complete pre-start checks and set up the work area
• Receive and store materials
• Prepare batch materials and cullet
• Operate the melting furnace
• Form tubes and patterned glass
• Anneal and temper glass
• Cut and edge glass
• Apply pyrolytic, silver and mirror coatings
• Create stained glass products
• Bond glass with adhesives
• Handle, pack and dispatch glass
• Maintain plant, clean up and sign off

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out glass manufacturing activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations, including duties to manage risks, consult workers, provide information, training and supervision, and manage plant, hazardous chemicals, airborne contaminants, noise, manual tasks, PPE, electrical risks and emergency arrangements.
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks (guidance only; confirm local adoption and legal status).
• Safe Work Australia model Codes of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace; Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace; Managing electrical risks in the workplace; Hazardous manual tasks; Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work; First aid in the workplace; and Confined spaces, where applicable. The hazardous-chemicals guidance identifies ventilation, leak checks, preventative maintenance and integrity testing as key controls.
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: Managing risks of respirable crystalline silica in the workplace, where silica-containing batch materials or refractory products are processed; uncontrolled dry processing must not be permitted.
• Technical guidance standards: AS/NZS 1337.1 eye and face protection; AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716 respiratory protective equipment; AS/NZS 2161 protective gloves; AS/NZS 2210.3 safety footwear; AS/NZS 1270 hearing protectors; AS/NZS 1801 occupational protective helmets; AS 1288 glass in buildings; AS 1674.1 safety in welding and allied processes; AS/NZS 3000 wiring rules; AS 2359 industrial trucks; and relevant manufacturer instructions.
• Model Codes do not automatically have legal effect in every Australian jurisdiction. Verify the applicable Act, Regulations, approved codes, exposure standards and regulator requirements before issue.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections