Product Overview

Summary: This Shopfront Glass Installation Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, step-by-step method for installing commercial glazing safely, accurately and in line with Australian WHS and building requirements. It helps glazing and shopfitting businesses control high‑risk hazards such as glass handling, work at height and public interface, while delivering a consistent, high‑quality finish for every project.

Shopfront glass installation combines high-risk construction work with a live public environment, often on busy streets and within operating retail centres. Without a structured procedure, businesses face significant risks including manual handling injuries, glass breakage, falls from height, and uncontrolled interaction with pedestrians and vehicles. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a detailed, practical framework for planning and carrying out shopfront glazing works safely, from initial site assessment and measurement through to final cleaning and handover.

Developed for Australian conditions, this SOP supports compliance with WHS legislation, relevant Australian Standards and local council or centre management requirements. It addresses real-world challenges such as out-of-hours work, traffic and pedestrian management, crane or lifting device use, and coordination with other trades. By implementing this procedure, businesses can standardise installation methods across teams, improve quality and consistency, reduce rework and damage, and demonstrate due diligence if an incident occurs. It becomes a core training and supervision tool, ensuring everyone from apprentices to senior installers understands the correct and safe way to install shopfront glazing.

Key Benefits

• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS legislation and glazing-related Australian Standards for shopfront installations.
• Reduce the risk of serious injuries from manual handling, glass breakage and work at height during installation activities.
• Standardise installation methods across crews to improve quality, reduce rework and minimise costly glass damage.
• Protect members of the public and adjacent businesses through structured site control, barricading and traffic/pedestrian management steps.
• Support faster onboarding and competency-based training for new glaziers and apprentices with clear, documented procedures.

Who is this for?

• Glaziers
• Shopfront Installers
• Shopfitters
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers
• Small Business Owners in Glazing and Shopfitting
• Facilities and Property Managers
• Apprentice Glaziers and Trainees

Hazards Addressed

• Manual handling injuries from lifting and positioning large glass panels and frames
• Lacerations and crush injuries from glass breakage or panel movement
• Falls from height when working from ladders, scaffolds or elevating work platforms
• Struck-by incidents involving mobile plant, delivery vehicles or mechanical lifting devices
• Slips, trips and falls around work areas, especially in public or retail environments
• Exposure to silica dust or other particulates when drilling or grinding adjacent building materials
• Eye and face injuries from flying particles, splinters or glass fragments
• Musculoskeletal disorders from repetitive movements and awkward postures
• Noise exposure from cutting, drilling and power tools used during installation
• Public safety risks from unsecured work zones, falling objects or uncontrolled access

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Supervisor, Installer, Spotter)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Competency, Licensing and Training Requirements
• 6.0 Tools, Equipment and Materials (including lifting aids and glass handling gear)
• 7.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 8.0 Pre-Start Planning and Risk Assessment (SWMS/JSA integration)
• 9.0 Site Assessment, Access and Public Interface Controls
• 10.0 Delivery, Unloading and Storage of Glass and Frames
• 11.0 Manual Handling and Mechanical Lifting Procedures for Glass
• 12.0 Preparation of Openings, Frames and Substrates
• 13.0 Step-by-Step Shopfront Glass Installation Procedure
• 14.0 Use of Ladders, Scaffolds and Elevating Work Platforms
• 15.0 Securing, Glazing, Sealing and Weatherproofing Requirements
• 16.0 Quality Checks, Tolerances and Defect Management
• 17.0 Housekeeping, Waste Management and Environmental Considerations
• 18.0 Public Safety, Barricading and Signage Requirements
• 19.0 Emergency Procedures (glass breakage, injury, uncontrolled public access)
• 20.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Storage of Equipment
• 21.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 22.0 Recordkeeping, Review 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 state/territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• AS 1288: Glass in buildings – Selection and installation
• AS/NZS 2208: Safety glazing materials in buildings
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still commonly referenced)
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices
• AS/NZS 4994 series: Temporary edge protection
• AS 1735 series: Lifts, escalators and moving walks (where relevant to materials movement in retail centres)