Glass lifter SWMS, drafted for your job
A suction glass lifter depends on the condition of the glass, pads and vacuum supply while a fragile panel hangs beside the crew. Describe the lifter, panel finish and lift route: the draft follows the handling method, and you check attachment and support before lifting.
A$39per job
However many high-risk activities it covers.
- However many high-risk activities it covers.
- 3 for A$99
- 10 for A$249
- Yearly A$129 for 120
- Monthly A$60 for 10
You review it on site before work starts.
Your Business
Safe Work Method Statement
Version 1
Draft
Glass lifter
Site Your site address
Law Your state
High-risk construction work
- Work where powered mobile plant is moving
Job steps, hazards and controls
| 1 | Match lifter to glass | Unsuitable coating or load | High | Confirm panel finish, weight and lifter suitability |
| 2 | Inspect and attach suction pads | Damaged pads and weak vacuum | High | Clean surfaces and check vacuum gauges and alarms |
| 3 | Test grip and panel balance | Panel rotation or suction loss | High | Test near supports with the area clear |
| 4 | Move and position glass | Suspended glass and frame pinch | High | Keep the route clear and guide outside pinch gaps |
| 5 | Support panel and release lifter | Glass falling after early release | High | Confirm panel support and fixings before releasing suction |
Illustrative first page. Yours carries your business name only.
What you get
What your glass lifter SWMS will contain
An A4 document your crew can read on site, a PDF for the builder and a sign-on register.
- Job and site detailsYour business, the site, the principal contractor, the dates.
- High-risk construction workThe categories your job involves, ticked.
- Step-by-step methodEach step with its hazards, risk rating and controls.
- How controls are checkedWho puts each control in place, monitors and reviews it.
- PPE, plant and permitsEquipment and training the job needs.
- Emergency planAssembly point, first aid, nearest hospital to confirm on site.
- Consultation and reviewWho was consulted, when it is reviewed.
- Sign-on registerYour crew signs by QR or on paper.
High-risk construction work
Categories this task often involves
You tick the ones your job involves. Each ticked category gets its own steps and controls, in your state's wording.
- Work where powered mobile plant is moving
State notes
Rules depend on your state
Pick your state when you start. Your state's regulator publishes the rules and guidance for this work.
Hazards and controls
What goes wrong on a glass lifter job, and how the SWMS controls it
These rows are written for this task. Your draft adds the ones your site and method need.
- 1
Glass release from dirty or damaged lifter suction pads
Extreme- Clean and inspect pads and the intended glass contact surface before attachment
- Keep damaged pads out of use and verify suction before moving the panel
- 2
Suction failure on textured or coated glass panel surfaces
Extreme- Confirm the lifter is suitable for the panel finish before attachment
- Use another handling method where the surface cannot maintain the intended seal
- 3
Vacuum loss or battery failure while glass is suspended
Extreme- Check batteries, vacuum gauges and warning functions before the lift
- Land the panel on prepared supports if the vacuum warning activates
- 4
Glass rotating on a lifter with poorly positioned pads
High- Confirm panel weight and pad layout against the lifter instructions
- Test balance close to the support with the landing area clear
- 5
Hands trapped between the lifted glass and receiving frame
High- Set guides and supports before bringing the panel to the opening
- Guide from outside pinch gaps and keep people clear of the glass face
- 6
Glass panel falling when suction is released before fixing
Extreme- Support and secure the panel before operating the release control
- Confirm the installer has control of the panel before removing the lifter
How the job usually runs
- 1Match lifter to glassUnsuitable coating or load → Confirm panel finish, weight and lifter suitability
- 2Inspect and attach suction padsDamaged pads and weak vacuum → Clean surfaces and check vacuum gauges and alarms
- 3Test grip and panel balancePanel rotation or suction loss → Test near supports with the area clear
- 4Move and position glassSuspended glass and frame pinch → Keep the route clear and guide outside pinch gaps
- 5Support panel and release lifterGlass falling after early release → Confirm panel support and fixings before releasing suction
PPE for this job
- Glass-handling gloves
- Cut-resistant sleeves
- Eye protection
- Safety boots
- Hard hat
Your draft lists the PPE your site and method need.
After you finalise
Brief your crew and send it to your builder
Crew signs by QR
Send to my builder
PDF and register
Builder sent it back?
Make their changes and re-issue the same job free. Workers re-sign the new version.
Questions
Glass lifter SWMS questions
- Last reviewed
- 21 October 2026
- How
- Hazard rows checked against the task; no legal line is stated unless it is logged from primary text.
- Next review
- Every six months, or when the method or rules change
Can the glass lifter be used on coated glass?
Check the lifter instructions and panel finish first. The draft covers surface suitability, clean suction pads and verifying the vacuum; textured or unsuitable coatings may need another handling method.
What does the draft say about a vacuum alarm during a lift?
Land the glass on the prepared support and keep people clear. The draft covers checking vacuum and battery warnings before lifting and stopping to investigate a warning before continuing.
How much does a glass lifter SWMS cost?
One job uses 1 SWMS when you finalise: A$39 for one, however many high-risk activities it covers. AI drafting needs a SWMS pack or plan. Packs and Yearly cost less per SWMS.
Is this a template?
No. You describe the job and the site, and the SWMS is drafted for them. You edit anything, then finalise it.
Who checks the SWMS?
You do, with your crew, on site before work starts. The draft gives you a strong starting point; the person running the work makes sure it matches the site.
My builder sent it back. What now?
Open it, make the changes they asked for and re-issue it. Corrections to the same job are free.
How does my crew sign it?
Show the QR code on your phone or print the A4 sign-on sheet. Workers read and sign on their own phones without an account.
Does it work in my state?
Yes. You choose the state before drafting, and the document names the law that applies there. Victoria uses its OHS Regulations.
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