Glass Coating & Tinting SWMS

Glass coating and tinting involves the application of adhesive polyester films, security laminates, decorative frosting and solar-control coatings to installed glazing in commercial, residential and retail settings. The work is performed close to large glass panes at height on scaffolds, ladders and elevating work platforms, and requires the use of slip-solutions (soapy water), squeegees, precision blades and sometimes solvent-based cleaners. Hazards include cuts from razor blades and glass edges, glass breakage under thermal or mechanical stress, falls when working near unprotected glazed openings, chemical exposure from cleaning agents and film adhesives, manual handling of large rolls and panes, and slips on wet floors created by the application fluid.

Under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW), work that involves a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres is high risk construction work under section 291, triggering the requirement in section 299 for a Safe Work Method Statement prepared before work commences. This SWMS applies the hierarchy of control from section 36, prioritises elimination and engineering controls (EWPs, edge protection) over PPE, and documents consultation with workers under section 47.

Hazards identified

12 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Control measures

Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.

1. 1Eliminate work at height where practicable by tinting glass panels at ground level before installation, or scheduling coating during factory glazing manufacture.
2. 2Substitute solvent-based cleaners with low-VOC water-based slip-solutions (baby shampoo and water) and isopropyl alcohol at the lowest effective concentration; obtain and review SDS for every product used.
3. 3Use elevating work platforms (scissor lifts, boom lifts) compliant with AS 2550.10 in preference to ladders for any work above 2 metres; operators to hold the relevant HRW licence for boom lifts with boom length ≥ 11 m.
4. 4Where EWPs are not practicable, install edge protection or use mobile scaffolds compliant with AS/NZS 1576 series, erected by a competent person; ladders used only for light, short-duration access per the SafeWork NSW Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces.
5. 5Identify and cordon any glass panel that could be mistaken for an opening; apply visible manifestation and confirm panels are fixed and load-tested before leaning or applying pressure.
6. 6Isolate power to fittings and outlets within 1 metre of wet application zones; use RCD-protected leads compliant with AS/NZS 3012 and cover fittings with plastic sheeting.
7. 7Use retractable safety knives with finger guards; blades changed at the first sign of dullness; cut-resistant gloves rated to AS/NZS 2161.3 worn during trimming; establish a designated blade-disposal sharps container.
8. 8Manage manual handling by using two-person lifts for rolls over 15 kg or longer than 1.5 m, roll trolleys, and mechanical lifters for glass panels; rotate squeegee tasks to limit repetitive strain.
9. 9Establish exclusion zones below overhead work with barriers, signage and spotters; drop-sheet floors to contain slip-solution and place wet-floor signage in occupied areas.
10. 10Where scraping old film or adjacent frames on pre-2004 residential or pre-1990 commercial buildings, test for asbestos and lead before disturbance; if positive, cease work and engage a licensed removalist per the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW), Chapter 8.
11. 11PPE: safety glasses to AS/NZS 1337.1, cut-resistant gloves, non-slip footwear, chemical-resistant nitrile gloves when handling activators, and P2 respirator to AS/NZS 1716 when scraping residue or using aerosol solvents.
12. 12All workers hold CPCCWHS1001 (White Card); SWMS reviewed with workers under section 47 of the WHS Act 2011 (NSW) before work starts and re-reviewed under section 302 of the WHS Regulation 2025 (NSW) whenever controls, personnel or the work environment change.

Applicable Codes of Practice

High-Risk Construction Work triggered

Worked example

A tinting crew is engaged to apply solar-control film to the western elevation of a four-storey commercial building in Parramatta. The upper three levels require access from a boom-type EWP in the loading dock, while the ground-floor shopfront is done from step platforms. Before mobilising, the supervisor walks the site with the two applicators, reviews this SWMS, and each worker signs the consultation register under section 47 of the WHS Act 2011 (NSW). The EWP operator produces their HRW licence; the unit is checked against AS 2550.10 and a pre-start recorded. Slip-solution is decanted into labelled bottles per the SDS; RCD leads are used for the heat gun. Mid-morning, one panel on Level 3 is found to have edge damage. Work stops, the panel is isolated, the SWMS is reviewed under section 302, and the control set is amended to require a second panel inspection before film application. The amendment is signed by both applicators before work resumes.

Related legislation

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW), Chapter 6 – Construction work
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW), Chapter 7 – Hazardous chemicals
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW), Chapter 8 – Asbestos
• Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) – for scaffold and hoarding approvals over public footpaths

Frequently asked questions