Product Overview

Summary: This Glass Panel Handling Safe Operating Procedure provides clear, step-by-step guidance for safely lifting, moving, and installing glass panels in Australian workplaces. It helps control the high risks of breakage, crush injuries, and manual handling strains while supporting compliance with WHS obligations and industry best practice.

Handling glass panels presents a unique combination of risks: heavy and awkward loads, sharp edges, brittle materials, and often work at height or in constrained spaces. This Glass Panel Handling SOP sets out a consistent, defensible process for planning, lifting, transporting, and installing glass panels, from receipt in the warehouse through to final placement on site. It covers the correct selection and use of mechanical aids such as glass lifters, A‑frames, trolleys and vacuum lifters, as well as the specific PPE and team communication protocols required to keep workers and bystanders safe.

By implementing this procedure, businesses can significantly reduce the likelihood of lacerations, crush injuries, musculoskeletal disorders, and costly product damage. The SOP helps organisations demonstrate due diligence under Australian WHS legislation by documenting risk controls for high-risk activities, including handling large or overhead glazing units and working in public areas. It also supports faster onboarding and training of new staff, improves coordination between warehouse, transport and installation crews, and provides a clear reference in the event of an incident investigation or audit.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of lacerations, crush injuries and musculoskeletal disorders associated with manual handling of glass panels.
• Ensure consistent, compliant handling practices across warehouse, transport and installation teams.
• Minimise costly glass breakages, rework and project delays caused by poor handling or inadequate planning.
• Support compliance with Australian WHS legislation and relevant Codes of Practice for hazardous manual tasks and construction work.
• Improve training, supervision and communication by providing clear, step-by-step instructions and defined responsibilities.

Who is this for?

• Glaziers
• Construction Site Supervisors
• Shopfitting Teams
• Warehouse and Dispatch Staff
• Installers and Fit-out Contractors
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Project Managers
• Facilities and Maintenance Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Lacerations and puncture wounds from broken or sharp glass edges
• Crush injuries to hands, feet and body from dropped or shifting panels
• Musculoskeletal disorders from lifting, carrying or supporting heavy and awkward glass panels
• Glass breakage leading to flying fragments and secondary injuries
• Slips, trips and falls while carrying or manoeuvring glass panels
• Struck-by incidents during loading, unloading or use of mechanical lifting devices
• Pinch points and entrapment when positioning glass in frames or tracks
• Exposure to environmental conditions (wind, wet surfaces, uneven ground) that destabilise loads
• Vehicle loading and unloading hazards in warehouses, workshops and construction sites
• Working at height hazards when installing glass on upper levels or façades

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Types of Glass Panels
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Required Competencies and Training
• 6.0 Tools, Equipment and Mechanical Aids (Lifters, Trolleys, A‑frames, Vacuum Lifters)
• 7.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 8.0 Pre-Task Planning and Risk Assessment (JSA/SWMS Integration)
• 9.0 Receiving, Inspection and Storage of Glass Panels
• 10.0 Manual Handling Techniques for Small and Medium Panels
• 11.0 Team Lifting and Coordination for Large or Oversized Panels
• 12.0 Use of Mechanical Lifting Devices and Attachments
• 13.0 Loading, Securing and Unloading Glass for Transport
• 14.0 On-Site Handling, Movement and Temporary Staging of Glass
• 15.0 Installation Procedures (Framing, Façade, Balustrades, Partitions)
• 16.0 Working at Height and Edge Protection Considerations
• 17.0 Housekeeping and Control of Public/Third-Party Access
• 18.0 Hazard Identification and Control Measures
• 19.0 Emergency Response and Incident Reporting (Breakages, Injuries, Near Misses)
• 20.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Storage of Handling Equipment
• 21.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 22.0 Document Control, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent State and Territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Cth) and equivalent State and Territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still referenced by many organisations)
• AS/NZS ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• AS 1288: Glass in buildings – Selection and installation
• AS/NZS 4994.1: Temporary edge protection – General requirements (where relevant to façade and balcony glazing work)