BlueSafe
Structural Glazing High Rise and Curtain Wall Risk Assessment

Structural Glazing High Rise and Curtain Wall Risk Assessment

  • • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
  • • Pre-filled Content – Ready to Deploy Immediately
  • • Customisable – Easily Add Your Logo & Site Details
  • • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

Structural Glazing High Rise and Curtain Wall Risk Assessment

Product Overview

Identify and control organisational risks associated with Structural Glazing High Rise and Curtain Wall operations using this management-level Risk Assessment, focused on planning, governance, systems and contractor control rather than task-by-task procedures. This document supports WHS Risk Management and demonstrable Due Diligence under the WHS Act, helping protect your business from operational and legal liability exposures.

Risk Categories & Hazards Covered

This document assesses risks and outlines management controls for:

  • WHS Leadership, PCBU Duties and Safety Governance: Assessment of executive and project-level safety leadership, allocation of WHS responsibilities, and governance structures for façade and glazing activities on high-rise projects.
  • Safety in Design for Façade and Structural Glazing: Management of design risk reviews, engineering sign-off, buildability, access, maintenance provisions and lifecycle safety considerations for curtain wall and structural glazing systems.
  • Structural Calculations, Fixings and Anchorage Systems: Oversight of engineering calculations, fixing design, anchor selection, certification, inspection and verification processes to ensure structural integrity during and after installation.
  • High-Rise Access Systems and Edge Protection: Governance of selection, installation, inspection and monitoring of scaffolds, mast climbers, BMUs, EWPs, platforms, guardrails and other edge protection systems for façade works.
  • Plant, Glazing Robots and Lifting Equipment Management: Systems for procurement, pre-use verification, maintenance, load management and operator competency for cranes, hoists, glazing robots, vacuum lifters and associated lifting gear.
  • Contractor Prequalification, Competency and Training: Protocols for assessing subcontractor WHS capability, licences, high-risk work qualifications, task-specific training and supervision arrangements for glazing and façade crews.
  • Planning, Scheduling and Sequencing of Façade Works: Management of construction staging, interface with structure and other trades, crane and hoist scheduling, lead times and change impacts on safety and structural stability.
  • Working at Height and Fall Protection Systems Management: Control of fall prevention, restraint and arrest systems, anchor points, rescue planning, exclusion zones and verification of compliance with height safety requirements.
  • Glass and Materials Handling, Storage and Logistics: Assessment of glass pack delivery, offloading, on-site storage, racking systems, manual handling, mechanical aids and internal logistics on constrained high-rise sites.
  • Environmental Conditions, Wind Management and Stability: Management of wind load, weather, temperature and other environmental factors affecting lifting, panel installation, temporary bracing and structural stability during works.
  • Public Interface, Dropped Objects and Site Perimeter Controls: Protocols for overhead protection, exclusion zones, hoarding, traffic and pedestrian management, and control of falling objects in live urban environments.
  • Glass Quality, Specification Control and Latent Defect Management: Systems for specification verification, product conformity, traceability, inspection regimes and management of defects that may present future safety or performance risks.
  • Documentation, Procedures, Permits and Change Management: Governance of SWMS, work instructions, lift studies, permits to work, design changes, RFIs and variation controls affecting façade and glazing risk profiles.
  • Consultation, Communication and Coordination: Arrangements for coordination between PCBUs, principal contractors, designers and workers, including pre-starts, interface meetings and dissemination of critical safety information.
  • Incident Reporting, Monitoring, Audit and Continuous Improvement: Frameworks for reporting near misses and incidents, leading indicator monitoring, inspections, audits, corrective actions and ongoing improvement of façade safety systems.

Who is this for?

This Risk Assessment is designed for Business Owners, Construction Directors, Project Managers and Safety Managers overseeing Structural Glazing High Rise and Curtain Wall projects who require a structured, defensible approach to organisational WHS compliance.

Hazards & Risks Covered

Hazard Risk Description
1. WHS Leadership, PCBU Duties and Safety Governance
  • • Lack of clear allocation of WHS responsibilities between principal contractor, glazing contractor, designers and suppliers
  • • Inadequate understanding of due diligence duties under WHS Act 2011 by officers and senior management
  • • Conflicting commercial pressures overriding safety decisions on high‑risk glazing activities
  • • Absence of a WHS management plan specific to structural and curtain wall glazing on high‑rise projects
  • • Poor consultation and coordination arrangements between multiple PCBUs working on façades, lift shafts and structural glazing
  • • Inadequate resourcing of WHS roles (e.g. no dedicated façade safety coordinator for complex curtain wall projects)
2. Design, Engineering and Safety in Design for Façade and Structural Glazing
  • • Façade and structural glazing designs that are difficult or impossible to install safely at height
  • • Insufficient consideration of temporary loads on anchors, monorails, and glass during installation of large curtain wall panels and planar glazing
  • • Lack of engineered solutions for glass lift shafts, including internal access, rescue and fall protection systems
  • • Inadequate design for maintenance and replacement of glass elements (e.g. no permanent access or anchor points for future works)
  • • Failure to consider glass breakage behaviour, containment and impact on building occupants and public
  • • Poor coordination between structural engineer, façade engineer and lift designer leading to incompatible fixings, tolerances or access constraints
3. Structural Calculations, Fixings and Anchorage Systems Management
  • • Incorrect selection or installation of anchors, brackets and fixings supporting curtain wall and structural glazing loads
  • • Unverified temporary fixings used during installation of large glass panels, glazing robots or lifting frames
  • • Lack of traceability and documentation for critical structural components (e.g. cast‑in channels, post‑installed anchors, fall‑arrest anchors)
  • • Inadequate inspection and testing regime for embedded items and post‑installed fixings before load is applied
  • • Poor quality control over concrete strength, edge distances and reinforcement locations impacting anchor capacity
  • • Use of non‑compliant or substituted components without engineering approval
4. High-Rise Access Systems and Edge Protection Management
  • • Inadequate management of scaffolds, mast climbers, swing stages and BMUs used for façade and window installation
  • • Insufficient edge protection around slab edges, lift shafts and open façades during glazing works
  • • Uncontrolled modifications to access systems by workers or subcontractors (e.g. removal of guardrails to fit large glass panels)
  • • Incompatible or overlapping access systems for different trades on the same elevation
  • • Lack of emergency egress routes and rescue capability from suspended platforms and lift shafts
  • • Poor inspection, maintenance and log‑keeping for temporary access and edge protection
5. Plant, Glazing Robots and Lifting Equipment Management
  • • Use of glazing robots, vacuum lifters, cranes and hoists without adequate engineering assessment of capacities and limits
  • • Failure of vacuum systems due to poor maintenance, incompatible glass coatings, or environmental conditions (wind, temperature, moisture)
  • • Uncontrolled movement of robots or lifting frames on slabs, platforms or inside lift shafts
  • • Lack of integration between crane operations plan and façade/glazing lift requirements
  • • Inadequate competency and verification for operators of specialised glazing robots and lifting gear
  • • Absence of systems for plant pre‑use checks, servicing and defect management
6. Contractor Prequalification, Competency and Training Systems
  • • Engagement of glazing subcontractors without verified experience in high‑rise structural glazing or curtain wall systems
  • • Inadequate competency of installers, riggers, crane crews and glazing robot operators for complex façade works
  • • Lack of formal training on specific façade systems, planar fixings, and glass lift shaft installation procedures
  • • Insufficient understanding of high‑rise wind effects, glass handling risks and suspended load controls by workers
  • • No system for monitoring and managing fatigue for extended shifts or night works on façade installations
7. Planning, Scheduling and Sequencing of Façade and Glazing Works
  • • Poor coordination of glazing activities with structural works, lift shaft construction, services rough‑in and internal fitout
  • • Compressed programs leading to overlapping trades on the same elevation or level, increasing exposure to falling object and congestion risks
  • • Inadequate allowance for wind, weather delays and curing times affecting lifts and glazing adhesives
  • • Unplanned after‑hours or weekend glazing works without equivalent supervision and safety systems
  • • Lack of structured interface planning for glass lift shaft installation with lift contractor and structural engineer
8. Working at Height and Fall Protection Systems Management
  • • Systemic failures in the planning and oversight of fall‑prevention and fall‑arrest systems used in glazing works
  • • Inadequate design or installation of static lines, anchors and temporary lifelines used by façade installers
  • • Lack of consistency between different fall protection systems installed by multiple contractors on the same building
  • • Absence of documented procedures for work in and around open lift shafts and partially glazed façades
  • • Inadequate rescue procedures and equipment for workers suspended in harnesses or in glass lift shafts
9. Glass, Materials Handling, Storage and Logistics Management
  • • Unsafe delivery, storage and movement of large glass panels, curtain wall frames and planar glazing components
  • • Glass stillages and A‑frames not designed or rated for high‑rise site conditions or crane lifts
  • • Insufficient systems to prevent glass damage leading to latent defects, spontaneous breakage or structural failure
  • • Congested loading zones, loading docks and material hoists leading to manual handling and collision risks
  • • Lack of tracking and segregation of different glass types (e.g. heat‑soaked, laminated, fire‑rated) and corresponding installation locations
10. Environmental Conditions, Wind Management and Structural Stability During Installation
  • • Uncontrolled installation of glass and curtain wall panels in high winds or adverse weather exceeding design limits
  • • Temporary instability of partially installed façade systems or mullions under wind or construction loads
  • • Inadequate consideration of differential movement, building sway and construction stage tolerances during glazing
  • • Lack of real‑time weather monitoring integrated into lift and glazing decisions
  • • No clear authority or procedure for stopping work when environmental limits are approached
11. Public Interface, Dropped Objects and Site Perimeter Controls
  • • Inadequate protection of public areas adjacent to façades during high‑rise glazing works
  • • Insufficient controls to prevent dropped tools, glass fragments or components from façade works reaching ground level or lower setbacks
  • • Poorly managed road closures, footpath diversions and building entry restrictions during critical lifts
  • • Lack of systems to manage glass breakage, panel failure or detachment during or after installation in occupied buildings
  • • Insufficient communication with building occupants and neighbours about façade glazing activities and associated restrictions
12. Glass Quality, Specification Control and Latent Defect Management
  • • Incorrect glass specifications installed (thickness, laminate, coatings, fire performance) due to documentation or labelling errors
  • • Latent defects in toughened glass, heat soaking or lamination leading to spontaneous breakage post‑installation
  • • Poor QA/QC on sealants, structural silicone and gaskets resulting in water ingress or loss of structural performance over time
  • • Uncontrolled design or product substitutions driven by cost or availability without full engineering and WHS review
  • • Lack of long‑term documentation for as‑built façade systems, impacting future maintenance and safety
13. Documentation, Procedures, Permits and Change Management
  • • Informal or undocumented work practices for high‑risk structural glazing and curtain wall activities
  • • Outdated or incomplete procedures for glass lift shaft installation, glazing robots and planar systems
  • • Uncontrolled changes in methodology, sequence or plant selection on site without WHS review
  • • Inconsistent use of permits for critical tasks such as work in lift shafts, at height or over public areas
  • • Inadequate record‑keeping of inspections, sign‑offs and engineering approvals
14. Consultation, Communication and Coordination Between PCBUs and Workers
  • • Poor communication of façade‑related hazards, design assumptions and changes to site personnel
  • • Limited engagement of workers in identifying practical risks associated with structural glazing tasks
  • • Inadequate coordination of simultaneous operations (SIMOPS) involving cranes, hoists, internal trades and façade crews
  • • Language and literacy barriers affecting understanding of complex glazing procedures and emergency instructions
  • • Information gaps between design office, factory fabrication and site installation teams
15. Incident Reporting, Monitoring, Audit and Continuous Improvement
  • • Under‑reporting of near misses, defects and unsafe conditions related to glazing and façade works
  • • Lack of trend analysis on façade‑related incidents (e.g. glass damage, dropped objects, anchor defects)
  • • Ineffective close‑out of corrective actions from inspections, audits and incident investigations
  • • Limited independent verification of compliance with façade‑specific WHS controls and legal requirements
  • • Failure to incorporate lessons learned into future façade design, planning and contractor selection

Need to add specific hazards for your workplace?

Don't worry if a specific hazard isn't listed above. Once you purchase, simply log in to your Client Portal and add your own custom hazards at no extra cost. We take care of the hard work—creating the risk ratings and control measures for free—to ensure your document is compliant within minutes.

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
  • AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018: Risk management — Guidelines
  • Safe Work Australia – Construction Work Code of Practice: Guidance on managing WHS risks in construction, including high-risk construction work such as work at height and structural installations.
  • Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Requirements and controls for working at height and fall prevention systems.
  • Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice: Controls for cranes, EWPs, glazing robots, lifting equipment and associated plant.
  • Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for identifying hazards, assessing and controlling risks, and reviewing control measures.
  • AS/NZS 4801 / ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems — Requirements for systematic WHS governance and continual improvement.
  • AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices — Selection, use and maintenance of fall protection equipment.
  • AS 2550 & AS 1418 series: Cranes, hoists and winches — Safe use, inspection and operation relevant to lifting glazing panels and façade elements.
  • AS/NZS 1170 series: Structural design actions — Wind, dead and live load considerations for façade and curtain wall systems.
  • AS/NZS 2208 & related glazing standards: Safety glazing materials in buildings and compliance of glass products used in façades and curtain walls.
Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)
  • Comprehensive hazard identification for all activities
  • Risk rating matrix with likelihood and consequence analysis
  • Existing control measures evaluation
  • Residual risk assessment after controls
  • Hierarchy of controls recommendations
  • Action priority rankings
  • Review and monitoring requirements
  • Consultation and communication records
  • Legal compliance references
  • Sign-off and approval sections

$79.5

Safe Work Australia Aligned