Product Overview

This Glass Handling Transport and Vacuum Lifting SWMS is a fully editable Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement controls for all stages of glass handling and lifting on Australian worksites. It is a comprehensive document that brings together multiple activities related to glass handling, transport, storage, and vacuum lifting to support WHS compliance and safe management of high risk construction work.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe manual and mechanical glass and steel handling to prevent crush injuries, strains, and cuts
• Selection, inspection, and operation of a glass lifter for vertical and horizontal lifting tasks
• Safe glass storage and handling practices, including racking systems, segregation, and stability controls
• Glass transportation using vehicles, including load restraint, route planning, and securing glass packs and A-frames
• Set-up, pre-use checks, and operation of glazing vacuum lifting attachments in accordance with manufacturer instructions
• Handling glass fibre mesh, including dust control, PPE selection, and safe cutting and trimming techniques
• Handling glass or other sharp materials with controls for laceration risks, breakage, and safe disposal of offcuts
• Loading glass onto the A-frame trolley, including team lifts, use of mechanical aids, and stability checks before movement
• Mechanical handling of glass using forklifts, cranes, trolleys, and dollies, including exclusion zones and spotter requirements
• Managing risks associated with mishandling bulk glass deliveries, including unloading sequences and communication with delivery drivers
• Controls for spontaneous glass breakage, including barricading, clean-up procedures, and emergency response
• Unloading glass materials from trucks, including use of slings, spreader bars, vacuum lifters, and fall prevention
• Use of suction cups in installations, including inspection, safe application, load ratings, and de-rating factors
• Safe operation, inspection, and maintenance of vacuum lifters, including failure controls and emergency release procedures
• General site housekeeping, traffic management, and exclusion zone setup around glass handling and lifting operations

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for glaziers, glass installers, façade contractors, steel and glass fabricators, transport operators, and site supervisors overseeing glass handling, transport, and vacuum lifting activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – Guidance on identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing control measures for glass handling and lifting tasks
• Model Code of Practice: Construction Work – Requirements for planning and managing safety on construction sites where glass is installed, handled, or transported
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – Controls for musculoskeletal risks associated with lifting, carrying, and positioning glass and related materials
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace – Safe use of vacuum lifters, glass lifters, forklifts, cranes, and other mechanical handling equipment
• AS/NZS 4024 (Safety of machinery) – General principles for the safe design and use of machinery and plant used in glass handling and lifting
• AS 4994 Temporary edge protection series – Guidance relevant to preventing falls and protecting edges during glazing and façade installation
• AS/NZS 1170.1 Structural design actions – Permanent, imposed and other actions – Considerations for loads and actions when handling and supporting large glass panels
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017