Product Overview

Summary: This Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step-by-step framework for safely inspecting, cleaning, repairing and maintaining glazed structures such as curtain walls, skylights, balustrades and glazed façades. It helps Australian businesses control work-at-height, glass-handling and access risks while maintaining the structural integrity and appearance of glass installations.

Glazed structures are a defining feature of many Australian commercial, industrial and residential buildings, but they present significant safety risks during inspection, cleaning and maintenance. Work is often conducted at height, near building edges, over public thoroughfares and in close proximity to fragile or damaged glass. This Maintenance of Glazed Structures SOP sets out a robust, repeatable process for planning and carrying out maintenance tasks in a way that protects workers, building occupants and the public, while meeting your WHS obligations.

The procedure covers the full maintenance lifecycle, from initial condition assessment and access planning through to isolation of work areas, safe use of elevated work platforms (EWPs) and rope access, glass handling and replacement, and post-maintenance inspection and sign‑off. It is designed to support compliance with Australian WHS legislation and relevant Australian Standards, providing clear guidance on hazard identification, risk controls, required competencies, and emergency response. By implementing this SOP, organisations can reduce the likelihood of falls, falling objects, glass breakage and structural failure, while ensuring that glazing systems remain safe, weather‑tight and visually appealing over the life of the asset.

Key Benefits

• Ensure safe planning and execution of maintenance on glazed façades, skylights, balustrades and other glass structures.
• Reduce the risk of falls from height, falling glass and dropped objects impacting workers, occupants and the public.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation and relevant glazing and fall‑prevention standards.
• Standardise maintenance practices across contractors and internal teams, improving quality and consistency of work.
• Extend the service life and performance of glazed structures through systematic inspection, cleaning and repair.

Who is this for?

• Facilities Managers
• Building Managers
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Glaziers
• Commercial Window Cleaning Contractors
• Construction Project Managers
• Property Services Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Strata Managers
• Asset Management Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from height during access to glazed façades, skylights and elevated glazing
• Falling objects, including tools, glass fragments and hardware, striking people below
• Glass breakage and shattering during handling, cutting, removal or installation
• Failure of temporary access systems such as ladders, scaffolds, EWPs or rope access equipment
• Exposure to extreme weather conditions (heat, UV, wind, rain) while working externally at height
• Manual handling injuries from lifting, carrying or positioning large or heavy glass panels
• Contact with hazardous sealants, cleaning chemicals and surface treatments
• Slips, trips and falls on wet or contaminated surfaces around work areas
• Electrical hazards when working near live services, building façades with integrated electrical systems or overhead lines
• Structural instability of damaged or aged glazed elements, frames or fixings

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Types of Glazed Structures
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Required Competencies
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for Glazed Structure Maintenance
• 6.0 Planning and Permits (Access Plans, SWMS, Isolation and Permits to Work)
• 7.0 Access Methods and Controls (Ladders, Scaffolds, EWPs, Rope Access, Walkways)
• 8.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 9.0 Inspection and Condition Assessment of Glazed Structures
• 10.0 Safe Procedures for Cleaning Glazed Surfaces
• 11.0 Safe Procedures for Repair, Resealing and Component Replacement
• 12.0 Safe Handling, Removal and Installation of Glass Panels
• 13.0 Control of Falling Objects and Public Protection (Exclusion Zones, Barricades, Netting)
• 14.0 Environmental and Weather Considerations
• 15.0 Chemical Handling and Hazardous Substances Management
• 16.0 Emergency Preparedness and Response (Falls, Glass Breakage, Structural Failure)
• 17.0 Communication, Signage and Coordination with Building Occupants
• 18.0 Post-Maintenance Inspection, Testing and Handover
• 19.0 Training, Induction and Competency Management
• 20.0 Documentation, Records and Review of the Procedure

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Regulations
• 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
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• AS/NZS 1170.0: Structural design actions – General principles
• AS/NZS 1170.1: Structural design actions – Permanent, imposed and other actions
• AS/NZS 1288: Glass in buildings – Selection and installation
• AS/NZS 2208: Safety glazing materials in buildings
• AS 1657: Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, construction and installation
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices
• AS 2550.10: Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use – Mobile elevating work platforms
• AS/NZS 2312: Guide to the protection of structural steel against atmospheric corrosion by the use of protective coatings (where relevant to framing and fixings)