Product Overview

Summary: This Shower Screen Installation Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step‑by‑step method for installing framed, semi‑frameless and frameless shower screens safely and to a professional finish. It helps Australian businesses control installation risks, protect workers and clients, and deliver consistent, high‑quality bathroom installations that comply with WHS and relevant building standards.

Shower screen installation involves working with glass, power tools, sealants and occupied bathrooms, often in confined and wet areas. Without a structured procedure, installers can be exposed to serious hazards such as glass breakage, slips, manual handling strains and damage to waterproofing, while businesses face rework, defects, and potential non‑compliance with Australian Standards and WHS laws. This Shower Screen Installation SOP sets out a practical, repeatable method to plan, prepare and complete installations safely, from initial site assessment and measurement through to final silicone sealing and handover.

Developed for Australian construction, renovation and maintenance environments, this procedure integrates safety controls with quality workmanship. It addresses the full lifecycle of the task: verifying substrates and waterproofing, handling and fixing toughened safety glass, working around existing plumbing and tiles, managing dust and noise, and maintaining a clean, hazard‑free work area in occupied homes or commercial facilities. By implementing this SOP, businesses can reduce installation defects, improve worker safety, and demonstrate a robust, documented system that supports compliance with WHS obligations and relevant glazing and waterproofing standards.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of glass breakage, cuts and other installation injuries through defined safe handling and fixing techniques.
• Ensure consistent, high‑quality installations that align with Australian Standards for glazing, waterproofing and wet areas.
• Streamline training and onboarding for new installers and apprentices with a clear, step‑by‑step procedure.
• Minimise call‑backs, leaks and warranty claims by standardising checks on levels, fixings, sealing and final inspection.
• Demonstrate due diligence and WHS compliance with a documented method for planning, installing and supervising shower screen works.

Who is this for?

• Glaziers
• Bathroom Renovation Contractors
• Residential Builders
• Site Supervisors
• WHS Managers
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Facilities Managers
• Apprentice Glaziers and Installers

Hazards Addressed

• Cuts and lacerations from handling and installing toughened glass panels
• Musculoskeletal injuries from lifting and positioning large or awkward glass screens
• Slips, trips and falls in wet, cluttered or confined bathroom work areas
• Eye and respiratory irritation from drilling dust, tile fragments and sealants
• Electric shock risks when drilling near concealed services or using power tools in wet areas
• Damage to waterproofing membranes leading to leaks, mould growth and structural damage
• Noise exposure from drilling and cutting in enclosed spaces
• Public and client safety risks in occupied homes and workplaces during installation

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Types of Shower Screens (Framed, Semi‑Frameless, Frameless)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Required Tools, Equipment and Materials
• 6.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 7.0 Pre‑Start Planning and Site Assessment
• 8.0 Verification of Substrates, Waterproofing and Tile Condition
• 9.0 Measurement, Marking and Layout Checks
• 10.0 Safe Handling, Transport and Storage of Glass Panels
• 11.0 Fixing Channels, Hinges and Hardware to Walls and Floors
• 12.0 Installation of Glass Panels and Doors
• 13.0 Alignment, Adjustment and Functional Testing
• 14.0 Sealing, Silicone Application and Curing Considerations
• 15.0 Housekeeping, Waste Management and Environmental Controls
• 16.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Control Measures
• 17.0 Working in Occupied Premises and Client Communication
• 18.0 Emergency Procedures for Glass Breakage and Injury
• 19.0 Inspection, Quality Assurance and Handover Checklist
• 20.0 Training, Supervision and Review of Procedure

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS legislation
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent 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
• AS/NZS 2208: Safety glazing materials in buildings
• AS 1288: Glass in buildings – Selection and installation
• AS 3740: Waterproofing of domestic wet areas
• AS 3958.1: Ceramic tiles – Guide to the installation of ceramic tiles
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still commonly referenced)
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal eye protection