Risk Assessments · Mandatory · Pre-Construction
RAMS — Glazing Works
This RAMS covers the installation of glass panels, curtain walling, windows, and glazed doors. It addresses risks from glass breakage and lacerations, manual handling of heavy glazing units, working at height during installation, and the use of suction cups and mechanical lifting aids. Exclusion zones must be established beneath overhead glazing operations.
Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. MHSWR 1999 remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.
| Legal basis | MHSWR 1999 Regulation 3 + LOLER 1998 + PUWER 1998 + Building Regulations Part K4 + CDM 2015 + COSHH 2002 |
| RAMS category | B19 Glazing Works |
| Who | Glazing contractors, curtain walling installers, window fitters |
| Key equipment | Vacuum lifters, crane-mounted glazing robots, MEWPs, manual handling aids |
| Building Regs | Part K4 — safety glazing in critical locations; Part L — energy performance of glazing |
| COSHH focus | Polyurethane sealants (diisocyanates), silicone sealants, cleaning solvents |
| Enforcing authority | Health and Safety Executive (HSE) |
1. What It Covers
A RAMS for glazing works must address the full range of activities within this work scope — from handling and transporting glass units through to installation, sealing, and commissioning. Glazing presents a severe laceration and crushing hazard from the material itself, a significant working at height risk during installation, and a regulatory compliance dimension through Building Regulations Part K4 that specifies the type and classification of safety glazing required in critical locations.
The RAMS should cover glass receipt and storage, manual and mechanical handling of glass units, window and door installation, curtain walling installation, structural glazing, overhead glazing, sealing and weatherproofing, and any refurbishment work where existing glazing is being removed or replaced. Where vacuum lifters or crane-mounted glazing robots are used, LOLER 1998 applies and the RAMS must address thorough examination, pre-use checks, and operator competence for all lifting equipment.
A falling glass unit is one of the most dangerous events on a construction site
Modern insulated glass units (IGUs) for commercial buildings can weigh several hundred kilograms. A unit falling from height — whether during crane lifting, MEWP installation, or storage collapse — can cause fatal crushing injuries. The RAMS must address exclusion zones beneath all glazing operations, the integrity of lifting equipment, secure storage arrangements, and the emergency procedure for a glass breakage or unit fall.
2. Glass Handling
Glass handling is the highest-risk activity in glazing works. The combination of heavy, fragile, sharp-edged materials and the need to manoeuvre them into precise positions — often at height — creates a hazard profile that demands detailed planning. The RAMS must specify the handling method for each glass type and size, the equipment required, and the minimum number of operatives.
| Scenario | Typical unit weight | Handling method | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small panes (domestic windows, fanlights) | Up to 25kg | Manual handling with suction cups and cut-resistant gloves | Two-person lift for units above 15kg or where access is awkward; cut-resistant gloves (EN 388 Level 5); safe carrying route; edge protection on any openings |
| Large commercial units (curtain wall panels, shopfronts) | 50kg to 300kg+ | Floor-mounted or counter-balanced vacuum lifter | LOLER thorough examination in date; vacuum gauge checked before each lift; battery charge confirmed; minimum two operatives — one on lifter, one guiding; exclusion zone |
| Crane-mounted vacuum lifter (high-rise, structural glazing) | 100kg to 500kg+ | Crane-mounted vacuum lifter or glazing robot | LOLER thorough examination for crane and lifter; appointed person lift plan; crane operator CPCS certified; slinger/signaller trained; wind speed limits; exclusion zone below; tandem lift procedure if two cranes |
| Storage (A-frames, stillages) | Varies — pallets may exceed 1 tonne | Stored on A-frames or purpose-built stillages; mechanical offloading from delivery vehicle | A-frames secured against overturning (chocked, strapped, on level ground); stored away from traffic routes; protection from wind uplift; no leaning against walls; floor loading checked |
Vacuum lifter failure during a lift can be catastrophic
A vacuum lifter relies on maintaining negative pressure between the suction pads and the glass surface. If the seal is broken — by contamination on the glass, pad wear, battery failure, or a cracked pane — the unit will fall. LOLER 1998 requires that all vacuum lifters undergo a thorough examination at least every 12 months (or 6 months if used for lifting persons). The operator must check the vacuum gauge before every lift and confirm that the battery charge is sufficient for the planned operation.
3. Key Hazards
The following table sets out the principal hazards associated with glazing works, who is at risk, and the control measures that should be addressed in the RAMS.
| Hazard | Who at risk | Control measures |
|---|---|---|
| Laceration from glass edges | All glazing operatives handling glass units | Cut-resistant gloves (EN 388 Level 5 minimum); forearm protection; safety footwear with metatarsal protection; safe handling procedures; glass edge covers during transport |
| Falling glass (unit drop during lift or installation) | All persons beneath the glazing operation | Exclusion zone below all overhead glazing; vacuum lifter pre-use checks; LOLER thorough examination in date; wind speed monitoring; tandem lift procedure where required; rescue plan |
| Falls from height | Glazing operatives installing at height from MEWPs, scaffolding, or internal platforms | MEWP with trained operator (IPAF); scaffolding with edge protection; harness where MEWP basket risk; WAH assessment; rescue plan; prohibition of leaning out of openings |
| Vacuum lifter failure (LOLER) | Operatives, persons below the lift | LOLER thorough examination current; pre-use check (vacuum gauge, battery, pad condition); trained operator; exclusion zone; emergency lowering procedure documented |
| COSHH — sealants and adhesives | Operatives applying PU sealants, silicone, or cleaning solvents | UK REACH diisocyanate training for PU products (mandatory since Aug 2023); ventilation; nitrile gloves; RPE where enclosed; COSHH assessment for each product |
| Building Regs Part K4 — wrong glass specification | Building occupants (post-completion risk) | Glass specification checked against Part K4 before installation; safety glass (toughened or laminated) in critical locations; documentation of glass type for each location retained in H&S file |
| Asbestos (refurbishment glazing) | Glazing operatives removing existing frames and seals in pre-2000 buildings | Refurbishment/demolition asbestos survey before any removal work; putty and mastic in older frames may contain asbestos; do not disturb until survey confirms absence; licensed removal if ACMs found |
| Manual handling | All glazing operatives | Mechanical handling for all units above 25kg; vacuum lifters for large units; two-person minimum for manual glass handling; manual handling assessment; training in safe glass carrying technique |
4. Competence Requirements
Glazing works require a combination of trade-specific qualifications and equipment certifications. The glazing industry uses a different card scheme from the standard CSCS system — the GQA Q-Card — and the RAMS must specify the competence requirements for each role.
| Qualification / Card | Scope | Status / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GQA Q-Card | The industry competence card for the glazing sector — covers fenestration installation, curtain walling, and glass processing | The GQA Q-Card is not a standard CSCS card. It is issued by GQA Qualifications and is the recognised competence card for the glass and glazing industry. Most major contractors accept it as equivalent to CSCS for glazing operatives. Check site-specific requirements. |
| UK REACH diisocyanate training | All workers who handle PU sealants, adhesives, or coatings containing diisocyanates | Mandatory since 24 August 2023. Applies to glazing operatives who apply PU sealants or structural PU adhesives. Must be repeated at least every 5 years. |
| Crane operator (CPCS) | Operating mobile cranes, tower cranes, or loader cranes used for glazing lifts | CPCS trained operator or competent operator card for the relevant crane category. Required where glazing units are lifted by crane. |
| MEWP operator (IPAF) | Operating mobile elevating work platforms used for glazing installation at height | IPAF PAL card for the relevant MEWP category (3a, 3b, 1b as applicable). Required for all operatives who operate or work from MEWPs. |
| Slinger/signaller (CPCS) | Attaching loads to cranes and directing crane movements during glazing lifts | CPCS slinger/signaller card. Required for all operatives involved in crane-lifted glazing operations. |
The GQA Q-Card is not a CSCS card — check site acceptance
The GQA Q-Card is the industry-recognised competence card for glazing operatives, but it is not part of the CSCS scheme. Most major principal contractors accept the Q-Card as equivalent to CSCS for glazing work, but this is not universal. The RAMS should confirm which card scheme is accepted on the specific site and ensure all operatives hold the required card before mobilisation. Where both a Q-Card and CSCS are required, operatives may need to hold both.
5. Common Mistakes
No LOLER thorough examination for vacuum lifters
Vacuum lifters are lifting equipment under LOLER 1998 and must undergo a thorough examination at least every 12 months. Many glazing contractors treat vacuum lifters as hand tools and fail to include them in the LOLER examination regime. If a vacuum lifter has not been thoroughly examined within the required period, it must not be used for lifting. The RAMS must specify that all vacuum lifters have a current LOLER report and that pre-use checks are completed before every lift.
No exclusion zone beneath overhead glazing
When glass is being installed at height — whether by crane, MEWP, or from scaffolding — the area below must be excluded to all persons not directly involved in the operation. A falling glass unit can weigh hundreds of kilograms and will shatter on impact, creating a lethal debris zone. The RAMS must define the exclusion zone dimensions and specify how it will be enforced (barriers, banksmen, signage).
Wrong glass type installed in critical locations
Building Regulations Approved Document K, Section K4, requires safety glazing (toughened or laminated to BS EN 12600) in critical locations — including glazing in doors, sidelights, and low-level panels. Installing the wrong glass type is a Building Regulations breach that creates a long-term injury risk for building occupants. The RAMS must include a check that the glass specification matches the Part K4 requirements for each location before installation.
No asbestos survey before removing existing glazing in older buildings
Putty, mastics, and gaskets used in glazing installed before 2000 may contain asbestos. Removing existing frames without an asbestos survey risks disturbing asbestos-containing materials, which is a serious criminal offence under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. The RAMS must require a refurbishment or demolition asbestos survey before any removal of existing glazing in pre-2000 buildings, and work must not proceed until the survey confirms the absence of ACMs.
No UK REACH diisocyanate training for sealant applicators
Many glazing sealants — particularly structural PU sealants — contain diisocyanates. Since 24 August 2023, any operative who handles these products must hold valid UK REACH diisocyanate training. This requirement is frequently overlooked in glazing RAMS because sealant application is seen as a minor part of the work scope. The RAMS must identify which sealants contain diisocyanates and confirm that all operatives who apply them hold current training.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Is a vacuum lifter classified as lifting equipment under LOLER?▾
Yes. A vacuum lifter is lifting equipment under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER). It must undergo a thorough examination by a competent person at least every 12 months. The thorough examination report must be available on site whenever the equipment is in use. In addition, the operator must complete a pre-use check before every lift, including verifying the vacuum gauge, battery charge, and pad condition.
What does Building Regulations Part K4 require for glazing?▾
Approved Document K, Section K4, requires that glazing in critical locations is made of safety glass (toughened or laminated) or is otherwise protected by guarding to prevent impact. Critical locations include glazing in doors and sidelights, and glazing at low level in walls (below 800mm from floor level internally or 1100mm externally). The glass must be classified to BS EN 12600 and the correct classification for the location must be specified. The glazing contractor must verify that the glass supplied matches the Part K4 requirement for each location.
Is the GQA Q-Card accepted on all construction sites?▾
The GQA Q-Card is widely accepted across the UK construction industry as the competence card for glazing operatives, and most major principal contractors recognise it as equivalent to CSCS for glazing work. However, acceptance is not universal. Some sites may require a CSCS card in addition to or instead of the Q-Card. The RAMS should confirm the site-specific card requirements before mobilisation, and operatives should be prepared to hold both cards if necessary.
When must an asbestos survey be carried out before glazing work?▾
A refurbishment or demolition asbestos survey must be carried out before any removal or disturbance of existing glazing in buildings constructed or refurbished before 2000. Putty, mastics, gaskets, and back-panel materials in older windows may contain chrysotile (white) asbestos. The survey must be completed by a UKAS-accredited surveyor, and the results must be reviewed before work begins. If asbestos-containing materials are identified, removal must be carried out by a licensed asbestos removal contractor before the glazing work proceeds.
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