Glazier Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)

What Is a Glazier SWMS?

A Glazier Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a vital document for anyone working with glass in the Australian construction industry. It is not just paperwork. It is a written plan that outlines the high-risk activities involved in a glazing job and sets out the steps to keep workers and the public safe.

Under Australian law, this document is mandatory for specific types of work. It identifies the hazards associated with handling glass, working at heights, and using heavy lifting equipment. It then details the control measures needed to minimise those risks.

For a business owner, the SWMS acts as a communication tool. It ensures that the PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking), the principal contractor, and the workers all agree on how the job will be done safely. If an inspector visits your site, this is often the first document they will ask to see.

When to Use This Document

You cannot use a generic SWMS for every job. You need a specific Glazier SWMS when the work falls under the definition of "High Risk Construction Work" (HRCW). For glaziers, this triggers in several common scenarios.

Working at Heights

If your work involves a risk of falling more than two meters, you must have a SWMS. This includes installing windows on a second floor, fixing façade panels on a high-rise, or using scaffolds and elevating work platforms (EWPs). Even if you are just replacing a second-storey window, the law requires a plan.

Using Powered Mobile Plant

Glazing often requires heavy lifting. If you use a crane, forklift, or hoist to lift a glass panel into place, this is considered high-risk work. A Glazier SWMS must address the specific risks of using that plant near workers or the public.

Structural Alterations

If you are removing glass that is load-bearing or part of the building's structure, you need a SWMS. This applies to demolition work where the collapse of the structure could injure someone.

Trenches and Shafts

While less common for internal glazing, if you are installing glass balustrades around an excavation or a shaft where there is a risk of falling, a SWMS is required.

Key Sections and Required Elements

A compliant document is not just a list of safety rules. It must contain specific information to satisfy regulations like Regulation 299 of the WHS Regulations.

The High-Risk Statement

The document must clearly state that the work involves High Risk Construction Work. It should list the specific triggers, such as "Work over 2 meters" or "Use of a crane."

Hazard Identification

You must list the hazards relevant to that specific site. For a glazier, this includes cuts from broken glass, manual handling injuries from heavy sheets, falls from ladders, and exposure to silica dust during cutting.

Risk Controls

This is the core of the document. You must list the control measures you will use. These must follow the Hierarchy of Controls. For example, instead of just saying "wear gloves" (PPE), you should list "use a mechanical glass lifter" (Engineering control).

Implementation and Review

You need to explain how these controls will be put into action. Who checks the scaffold tags? Who inspects the lifting gear before use? You also need a process for reviewing the SWMS if something changes on site.

Signatures

A SWMS is not valid until it is signed. The Principal Contractor or PCBU must sign to declare the measures are adequate. Workers must also sign to confirm they have read and understood the document before work starts.

How to Write a Glazier SWMS (Step by Step)

Creating a document that protects your team and satisfies the law requires a practical approach.

Step 1: Consult Your Workers

Do not write this in the office alone. Safe Work Australia codes of practice emphasise consultation. Talk to the glaziers who will be doing the job. They know the practical risks, like which doorway is too narrow for a glass sheet or where the wind gusts are strongest on a balcony. A SWMS written without worker input is often non-compliant.

Step 2: Analyse the Site

Every site is different. Walk around and identify the specific hazards. Is the ground uneven for the ladder? Is there public traffic near the delivery zone? Are there overhead power lines for the crane? Note these down. A generic "copy-paste" document is a major red flag for Safe Work inspectors.

Step 3: Identify the High-Risk Tasks

Break the job down into steps. Delivery, offloading, cutting, preparation, installation, and cleanup. Highlight which steps involve high risk, such as lifting a heavy panel into a frame on the second floor.

Step 4: Select Controls Using the Hierarchy

Go through each hazard and choose a control.

• Elimination: Can the glass be pre-cut off-site to remove cutting hazards?
• Substitution: Can you use lighter weight acrylics or smaller panels?
• Engineering: Use suction lifters and trolleys.
• Administrative: Create exclusion zones and implement safe work procedures.
• PPE: Use safety glasses, cut-resistant gloves, and steel-capped boots.

Step 5: Add Technical References

Your SWMS should reference relevant standards like AS 1288 - Glass in buildings. This shows you are following industry best practices for glass selection and installation safety.

Step 6: Finalise and Sign

Print the document and bring it to the site. Hold a Toolbox Talk. Read through the SWMS with the crew. Discuss the risks and controls. Ensure every worker signs the document. Keep it accessible on site while work is happening.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many glazing businesses fail audits due to simple, avoidable errors.

Using Generic Templates

Buying a template is fine, but failing to customise it is not. If your SWMS mentions "excavation" but you are installing a shopfront, inspectors will fine you. The document must reflect the actual work.

Focusing Only on PPE

Relying solely on Personal Protective Equipment is a legal weak point. The law expects you to try higher-order controls first. If your SWMS only lists "wear gloves" and "wear a harness" without mentioning mechanical aids or scaffolding, it is likely non-compliant.

Forgetting Manual Handling

Glaziers suffer high rates of back and shoulder injuries. In Victoria specifically, WorkSafe focuses heavily on manual handling under the OHS Regulations. Your SWMS must address how you handle heavy glass sheets, even if using lifting gear.

Not Keeping Records

You must keep the SWMS for the duration of the project. If you are a subcontractor, the head contractor may require a copy before you start. Under the Privacy Act, if you collect worker medical info or signatures, store that securely and dispose of it responsibly when it is no longer needed.

Ignoring Victoria’s Differences

Most states use harmonised WHS laws. Victoria uses the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. While similar, Victorian regulators view SWMS as strict risk control documents. Ensure you know the difference if working across borders.

Legal Considerations (AU)

The Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU)

Under Section 19 of the WHS Act, the PCBU has the primary duty of care. If you run a glazing business, you are the PCBU. You cannot transfer this duty to your workers by asking them to sign the SWMS. You must ensure the document is prepared and followed.

Regulations and Penalties

Regulation 299 is the key rule in most states. In NSW, penalties for failing to have a compliant SWMS can reach up to $10,000 for category 2 offenses. It is a strict liability offense, meaning if you do not have the document, you are breaking the law, regardless of whether an accident happens.

Principal Contractor Liability

If you are a head contractor hiring a glazing subbie, you must take reasonable steps to obtain their SWMS before work begins. If an employee of the subcontractor is injured and you did not review their safety plan, you can be held liable.

Documentation Standards

While ISO 45001:2018 is the current standard for OH&S management systems, many older contracts still reference AS/NZS 4801:2001. A good SWMS fits into these broader management systems. It should be a "living document" that changes when site conditions change.

Disclaimers and Liability

To protect yourself legally, include a "Living Document" disclaimer. This states that the SWMS is a guide and must be adapted to site conditions found on the day. Also, include a statement that workers are deemed competent for the tasks assigned. This helps prevent the document from being used as a guarantee of safety in court if an accident occurs despite your precautions.

Frequently Asked Questions (preview)

Do I need a SWMS for every single house I glaze? No. You only need a SWMS if the work is High Risk Construction Work. Installing ground-floor windows generally does not require one. However, if you are using a ladder to reach a second-story window or lifting heavy sheets with a crane, you do.

Can I write my own SWMS? Yes, provided you are competent to identify the hazards and control measures. Many businesses use SWMS templates as a starting point to ensure they cover all legal requirements.

Is a JSA the same as a SWMS? Not legally. A Job Safety Analysis (JSA) is a useful tool for breaking down tasks, but it does not satisfy the legal requirement for High Risk Construction Work. You must have a formal SWMS that meets Regulation 299.

How long do I need to keep the SWMS? You must keep the SWMS while the work is being carried out. WorkSafe advises keeping it for a reasonable time after the project finishes in case of an investigation or insurance claim.

Does a SWMS need to be on paper? No, it can be electronic. However, it must be easily accessible to workers on site. If a tablet is the only copy and the battery dies, you are non-compliant. It is good practice to have a hard copy available.