Product Overview

Summary: This Training and Competency for Glaziers SOP sets out a clear, defensible framework for ensuring glazing workers are properly trained, assessed and authorised before they touch glass, access heights or operate specialised tools. It helps Australian glazing businesses demonstrate WHS due diligence, reduce incident rates and maintain consistent, high-quality workmanship across all projects.

Glazing work combines high-risk construction activities such as working at heights, manual handling of large and awkward glass panes, and the use of cutting and lifting equipment. Without a structured approach to training and competency, even experienced glaziers can develop unsafe habits, leading to lacerations, crush injuries, falls, property damage and costly rework. This Training and Competency for Glaziers Safe Operating Procedure provides a systematic method for identifying the skills required for each glazing task, delivering suitable training, and verifying that workers are competent before they are allowed to work unsupervised.

The SOP is designed specifically for Australian glazing and façade businesses that need to evidence compliance with WHS legislation, principal contractor requirements and ISO-style management systems. It covers the full training lifecycle: from induction and verification of licences and High Risk Work permits, through task-specific training (e.g. handling insulated glass units, using glass lifters, installing shopfronts and balustrades), to ongoing competency assessments and refresher training after incidents or changes in process. By implementing this procedure, you create a clear, repeatable framework that protects workers, supports consistent quality, and stands up to scrutiny from regulators, clients and insurers.

Beyond legal compliance, this SOP also addresses practical business challenges such as inconsistent on-the-job training, knowledge loss when senior glaziers leave, and the difficulty of proving competency during audits or tender prequalification. It provides templates and guidance for training records, competency checklists and authorisation matrices so you can quickly demonstrate that only suitably trained and competent personnel are assigned to high-risk glazing tasks.

Key Benefits

• Ensure only trained and competent glaziers perform high-risk tasks such as working at heights, handling large glass panels and operating lifting equipment.
• Reduce the likelihood of injuries, near misses and property damage by standardising how skills are taught, assessed and refreshed.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation, principal contractor requirements and prequalification schemes through robust training and competency records.
• Streamline onboarding of new glaziers and apprentices with a clear induction and skills development pathway tailored to glazing work.
• Improve quality and consistency of installations by aligning technical skills, safety practices and workmanship standards across the team.

Who is this for?

• Business Owners in Glass and Glazing
• Glazing Company Directors
• Construction Project Managers
• Site Supervisors and Leading Hands
• WHS Managers and Safety Advisors
• HR Managers in Construction and Trades
• Training and Compliance Coordinators
• Glaziers and Apprentice Glaziers

Hazards Addressed

• Lacerations and puncture wounds from handling glass and glazing tools
• Musculoskeletal injuries from manual handling of heavy and awkward glass units
• Falls from heights when installing glazing in multi-storey buildings, balustrades or skylights
• Crush and pinch injuries from glass lifters, cranes and mechanical handling equipment
• Eye injuries from glass fragments, cutting, grinding or drilling operations
• Struck-by and dropped-object incidents during overhead glazing installation
• Exposure to hazardous substances such as sealants, adhesives and cleaning chemicals
• Vehicle and mobile plant interaction during loading, unloading and site handling of glass

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms (Training, Competency, Verification of Competency)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Officers, Supervisors, Glaziers, Trainers)
• 4.0 Competency Requirements for Glazier Roles and Tasks
• 5.0 Induction and Onboarding of New Glaziers and Apprentices
• 6.0 Verification of Licences, Tickets and High Risk Work Authorisations
• 7.0 Task-Specific Training (Glass Handling, Cutting, Installation, Use of Glass Lifters and Access Equipment)
• 8.0 Working at Heights and Elevated Work Platform Competency Requirements
• 9.0 Manual Handling and Ergonomics Training for Glaziers
• 10.0 Safe Use of Tools, Plant and Equipment in Glazing Operations
• 11.0 Refresher Training, Reassessment and Training After Incidents or Changes
• 12.0 Competency Assessment Methods and Tools (VOC, Observation, Skills Checklists)
• 13.0 Training Records, Competency Matrices and Document Control
• 14.0 Contractor and Labour Hire Glazier Competency Verification
• 15.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement of Training Programs
• 16.0 Non-Conformance, De-Authorisation and Corrective Actions
• 17.0 References, Legislation and Applicable Standards
• 18.0 Appendices – Sample Training Plan, Competency Checklist and Authorisation Form Templates

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Construction Work
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks
• AS/NZS 4801:2001 Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still commonly referenced)
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems
• AS/NZS 2208:1996 Safety glazing materials in buildings
• AS 1288:2021 Glass in buildings – Selection and installation
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices