Glazing SWMS: Cheatsheet with 20 hazard & controls (Free PDF)
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Hazards & controls
1. Manual handling and glass panel lifting injuries
- ✓ Mechanical lifting aids (vacuum lifters, cranes) used for large or heavy panels
- ✓ Team lift used for panels that cannot be mechanically lifted
- ✓ Correct manual handling technique briefed at toolbox talk
2. Lacerations from broken or handled glass edges
- ✓ Cut-resistant gloves worn when handling glass
- ✓ Edges checked and taped before handling where practical
- ✓ Broken glass swept up immediately and disposed of in a rigid container
3. Falls from height installing glazing on upper floors or scaffolding
- ✓ Edge protection or guardrails installed before elevated glazing work begins
- ✓ Harness and anchor point used for work above 2 metres
- ✓ EWP or scaffold used for elevated glass installation, not ladders
4. Falling glass and struck-by incidents below elevated glazing work
- ✓ Exclusion zone maintained below all elevated glazing work
- ✓ Glass panels secured with straps or clamps immediately after lifting
- ✓ Toe boards fitted to scaffold and elevated platforms
5. Glass panel slipping or dropping during lifting
- ✓ Vacuum lifter suction tested before every lift
- ✓ Lift plan followed for panels over the single-person handling limit
- ✓ Second person used to guide and steady panels during placement
6. Struck by crane or EWP during glass panel delivery and lifting
- ✓ Exclusion zone maintained during crane lifts
- ✓ Spotter used for reversing delivery vehicles
- ✓ No work permitted under a suspended load
Show all 20 hazards & controls
7. Manual handling of glazing bars, frames and curtain wall mullions
- ✓ Mechanical aids used for long or heavy frame sections
- ✓ Team lift used for awkward or overweight sections
- ✓ Materials staged close to the installation point
8. Cuts from glass cutting and edge-working tools
- ✓ Guards fitted and checked on glass cutting equipment
- ✓ Cut-resistant gloves worn during cutting and edge finishing
- ✓ Tools inspected before each use
9. Silica or glass dust exposure from edge grinding and polishing
- ✓ On-tool dust extraction used for grinding and polishing
- ✓ P2 respirator worn for extended grinding tasks
- ✓ Work area ventilated during and after grinding
10. Chemical exposure from sealants, adhesives and cleaning solvents
- ✓ SDS reviewed before use of any sealant, adhesive or solvent
- ✓ Gloves and ventilation used when applying sealants
- ✓ Product stored and capped correctly between uses
11. Wind loading on large glass panels during lifting and placement
- ✓ Work stopped in high wind conditions per manufacturer limits
- ✓ Panel size and lift plan matched to forecast wind conditions
- ✓ Additional restraint used for large panels in exposed locations
12. Struck by mobile plant or vehicles on active construction sites
- ✓ High-visibility clothing worn at all times on site
- ✓ Spotter used when working near reversing plant
- ✓ Site traffic management plan followed
13. Noise exposure from cutting, grinding and power tools
- ✓ Hearing protection worn for high-noise tools
- ✓ Task duration near loud tools limited where practical
- ✓ Low-noise tool selection used where available
14. Hand-arm vibration from extended use of powered tools
- ✓ Tool use time limited and rotated between crew members
- ✓ Low-vibration tools selected where available
- ✓ Any tingling or numbness reported and reviewed
15. Trip hazards from glass crates, packaging and offcuts on site
- ✓ Work area kept clear of crates, packaging and offcuts throughout the day
- ✓ Cords and leads routed away from walkways
- ✓ Site cleaned up at the end of each shift
16. Contact with existing energised services during frame and fixing work
- ✓ Services located and isolated before drilling or fixing near switchboards or cabling
- ✓ Live services identified and avoided during frame fixing
- ✓ Licensed electrician engaged if service relocation is required
17. Heat stress working outdoors during summer glazing installation
- ✓ Hydration breaks scheduled during hot conditions
- ✓ Heavy glazing work rescheduled to cooler parts of the day where practical
- ✓ Shade provided for breaks
18. UV exposure during extended outdoor glazing work
- ✓ Sun-protective clothing and hat worn
- ✓ Sunscreen applied and reapplied through the day
- ✓ Shade used for breaks where available
19. Working alone on isolated glazing repair or replacement tasks
- ✓ Check-in procedure maintained with the office or supervisor
- ✓ Mobile phone carried and charged at all times
- ✓ Lone work avoided for elevated-risk glazing tasks
20. Glass panel instability before final fixing is complete
- ✓ Panels temporarily braced or clamped until permanent fixing is installed
- ✓ Panels not left free-standing in high-traffic or high-wind areas
- ✓ Final fixing sequence followed per the manufacturer installation guide
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Glazing SWMS Cheatsheet
All 20 hazards & controls for window, curtain wall and structural glazing installation, laid out as a printable one-pager for your site file.
utedesk.com.au
Frequently asked questions
What is a SWMS?
A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a legally required document for high-risk construction work. It sets out the job steps, the hazards involved, and the controls you'll use to manage them before work starts.
Do I need a SWMS for window, curtain wall and structural glazing installation?
If the work falls into one of the 18 high-risk construction work categories under the WHS Regulations, a SWMS is mandatory before work can start. This template is pre-mapped to the categories that typically apply to glazing work of this kind.
Is this template really free?
Yes. Join with your Google account in 10 seconds, no card required, and it's saved to your account ready to customise, publish and get signed by your crew online.
Can I use this template as-is?
Treat it as a starting point, not a finished document. Every site is different — add your site-specific hazards, confirm the controls suit the actual job, and have it reviewed before workers sign it.
This template is a starting point only. Review and adapt it for your actual site conditions before use — it is not a substitute for a competent person's own risk assessment.