Product Overview

Summary: This Site Inspection Prior to Glass Installation SOP provides a structured, WHS-focused process for assessing and preparing installation areas before any glass is moved onto site. It helps Australian businesses identify hazards early, confirm structural readiness, and prevent costly incidents, injuries, and rework during glazing activities.

Before a single pane of glass is lifted into position, the site itself must be verified as safe, structurally ready and compliant with Australian WHS requirements. This Site Inspection Prior to Glass Installation Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, repeatable process for inspecting access routes, installation areas, supporting structures, lifting points and environmental conditions before glass is delivered or handled. It is designed specifically for the glazing and construction environment, where fragile materials, work at height and public interface can significantly increase risk if not controlled at the planning and pre-start stages.

The SOP helps businesses move away from informal, ad‑hoc checks and towards a documented inspection regime that can be demonstrated to regulators, clients and principal contractors. It guides supervisors and installers through pre-start planning, hazard identification, verification of structural supports and fixings, control of public access, and coordination with other trades. By implementing this procedure, organisations can reduce breakages, manual handling injuries, falls from height and property damage, while also minimising delays, variations and disputes caused by late discovery of site defects or access constraints.

This document supports compliance with key Australian Standards and WHS legislation by embedding risk management into the earliest stage of the glass installation process. It provides practical checklists and clear acceptance criteria that can be applied on residential, commercial and infrastructure projects across Australia, helping businesses deliver safer, higher-quality glazing works on time and with fewer incidents.

Key Benefits

• Identify structural, access and environmental hazards before glass and installers arrive on site.
• Reduce the risk of glass breakage, falls from height and manual handling injuries during installation.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS laws, glazing standards and principal contractor requirements.
• Streamline communication and sign-off between glazing contractors, builders and site supervisors.
• Minimise costly rework, delays and disputes by confirming site readiness and design compatibility in advance.

Who is this for?

• Glazing Contractors
• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers
• Forepersons
• Glass Installers
• Building Site Safety Coordinators
• Principal Contractors
• Facilities and Asset Managers
• Quality and Compliance Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from height during access to openings, balconies and upper storeys
• Manual handling injuries from carrying and positioning large or awkward glass units
• Crush and impact injuries from unstable or inadequate structural supports and fixings
• Glass breakage due to uneven substrates, incorrect rebates, or obstructed installation paths
• Slips, trips and falls caused by poor housekeeping, debris, uneven surfaces or wet conditions
• Struck-by incidents involving mobile plant, cranes, EWP operations or vehicle movements near installation zones
• Public and occupant exposure to work areas due to inadequate barricading or exclusion zones
• Weather-related risks such as high winds affecting handling of large glass panels or EWPs
• Electrical hazards from overhead or concealed services in or near the installation path
• Confined or restricted access that prevents safe use of lifting aids or handling equipment

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (Principal Contractor, Site Supervisor, Glazing Contractor, Installers)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Pre-Inspection Planning and Documentation Requirements
• 6.0 Site Access and Egress Assessment
• 7.0 Structural Readiness and Opening Verification
• 8.0 Assessment of Access Equipment and Lifting Arrangements (Cranes, EWPs, Glass Lifters)
• 9.0 Housekeeping, Traffic Management and Public Protection Controls
• 10.0 Environmental and Weather Condition Checks
• 11.0 Services and Utilities Identification (Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical)
• 12.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for the Installation Area
• 13.0 Required PPE and Safety Equipment for Pre-Installation Inspections
• 14.0 Step-by-Step Site Inspection Procedure
• 15.0 Site Readiness Criteria and Go/No-Go Decision Process
• 16.0 Non-Conformance Management and Rectification Actions
• 17.0 Communication, Coordination and Sign-Off with Other Trades
• 18.0 Documentation, Records and Photographic Evidence
• 19.0 Training, Competency and Induction Requirements
• 20.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the Procedure

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 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: Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• AS/NZS 1288: Glass in buildings – Selection and installation
• AS/NZS 2208: Safety glazing materials in buildings
• AS/NZS 1170 series: Structural design actions (for structural adequacy of supporting elements)
• AS 1657: Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, construction and installation
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices