Product Overview

Summary: This Working at Heights for Glaziers SOP provides a clear, step‑by‑step framework for planning and carrying out glazing work at height safely on Australian construction and maintenance sites. It focuses on preventing falls, managing glass‑handling risks on scaffolds, EWPs and ladders, and ensuring compliance with WHS legislation and industry best practice.

Glaziers routinely work on scaffolds, elevated work platforms (EWPs), ladders and building edges while handling heavy, sharp and fragile glass. This combination of working at height and handling large glazed units creates a unique risk profile that is not fully addressed by generic fall‑prevention procedures. The Working at Heights for Glaziers Safe Operating Procedure translates Australian WHS requirements into a glazing‑specific, practical process that your teams can follow on every job, from multi‑storey curtain wall installs to domestic balcony balustrades.

The SOP walks through the entire lifecycle of a task at height: pre‑start planning, site access, selection and setup of height access equipment, glass handling and lifting methods, communication protocols, and shutdown. It clearly sets out how to control key risks such as falls from height, dropped glass, overloading scaffolds with glass packs, pinch and crush points when manoeuvring panes, and emergency retrieval of a suspended or injured worker. By implementing this procedure, glazing businesses can demonstrate due diligence, reduce incident rates, support consistent training of new and existing staff, and protect both workers and the public on and around the worksite.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of falls and dropped‑object incidents during glazing work at height.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS legislation, fall‑prevention requirements and relevant Codes of Practice.
• Standardise how glaziers plan, set up and execute work at height across different sites and builders.
• Improve coordination between glaziers, crane/EWP operators and other trades working in the same area.
• Support faster onboarding and competency assessment of new glazing staff and subcontractors.

Who is this for?

• Glaziers
• Leading Hand Glaziers
• Glazing Supervisors
• Construction Site Supervisors
• Project Managers (Construction and Fit‑Out)
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Safety Officers
• Business Owners in Glazing and Facade Installation
• Facilities and Maintenance Managers
• Labour Hire Coordinators supplying glazing trades

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from height from scaffolds, EWPs, ladders, roofs and building edges
• Falls through fragile surfaces such as skylights or incomplete window openings
• Dropped glass panes, tools or hardware striking workers or members of the public below
• Glass breakage while manoeuvring panes at height, causing lacerations and loss of balance
• Overreaching or unstable positioning on ladders or platforms when installing glass
• Overloading of scaffolds, platforms or EWPs with glass packs and frames
• Pinch, crush and musculoskeletal injuries when lifting or rotating glass at height
• Collision of EWPs with structures, overhead services or other plant
• Adverse weather conditions (wind, rain, glare) affecting stability and control when handling glass
• Inadequate emergency rescue arrangements for a fallen or suspended worker using fall‑arrest systems

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope – Application to glazing work at height on construction, fit‑out and maintenance sites
• 2.0 Definitions – Working at height, glazier, EWP, fall‑prevention, exclusion zone and related terms
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities – PCBUs, supervisors, glaziers, spotters, EWP operators and subcontractors
• 4.0 Planning and Risk Assessment – Pre‑start inspections, SWMS integration and site‑specific risk assessments
• 5.0 Selection of Access Method – Hierarchy of control for falls, choosing between scaffolds, EWPs, ladders and other systems
• 6.0 Glass Handling and Lifting at Height – Manual handling techniques, mechanical aids, suction lifters and crane coordination
• 7.0 Scaffolds, Platforms and Ladders – Setup, access, load limits, edge protection and housekeeping requirements
• 8.0 Use of Elevated Work Platforms – Pre‑use checks, safe operation, positioning near facades and communication protocols
• 9.0 Fall‑Prevention and Fall‑Arrest Systems – Guardrails, restraint, harness use, anchor points and inspection regimes
• 10.0 Controls for Dropped Objects – Exclusion zones, tool lanyards, glass securing methods and debris management
• 11.0 Weather and Environmental Considerations – Wind thresholds, wet surfaces, glare, lighting and public interface
• 12.0 Step‑by‑Step Operating Procedure – From arrival on site through to completion and sign‑off of glazing tasks at height
• 13.0 Emergency Response and Rescue – Procedures for falls, glass breakage, EWP failure and first aid for lacerations
• 14.0 Training, Competency and Licensing – Verification of EWP licences, working at heights training and glazier competencies
• 15.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Recordkeeping – Checklists for equipment, harnesses, scaffolds and procedural review
• 16.0 Review and Continuous Improvement – Incident review, consultation with workers and periodic SOP updates

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and corresponding state and territory legislation)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (particularly provisions relating to falls and high risk construction work)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Construction Work
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall‑arrest systems and devices
• AS/NZS 1576 series: Scaffolding
• AS 2550.10: Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use – Mobile elevating work platforms
• AS/NZS 1657: Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, construction and installation
• AS/NZS 1170.1: Structural design actions – Permanent, imposed and other actions (relevant to load limits on structures used for access)
• AS/NZS 4801: Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still commonly referenced in industry)