Free WHS Inspection (Glass Workshop) Template

Purpose of the Free WHS Inspection (Glass Workshop) Template

Managing a glass workshop involves significant work health and safety risks, from severe cuts and lacerations to musculoskeletal injuries and exposure to hazardous dust. Our Free WHS Inspection (Glass Workshop) Template provides a structured starting point for systematically identifying and controlling these hazards.

Regular inspections are a fundamental part of the risk management process, helping your organisation meet its duty of care and prevent incidents before they occur. This template helps formalise the process of checking key areas, equipment, and safety procedures in a glass fabrication or processing environment.

Using a consistent checklist ensures that inspections are thorough and that nothing is overlooked. It creates a documented record of your safety efforts, which is crucial for demonstrating due diligence.

This template is designed to integrate into your existing safety framework, serving as a practical tool within comprehensive WHS management systems. It prompts a review of everything from cutting tables and grinding stations to personal protective equipment (PPE) and emergency procedures, promoting a safer workplace for everyone.

How to use the Free WHS Inspection (Glass Workshop) Template

This resource is available as a fully editable DOCX file and a ready-to-print PDF. The DOCX version allows for complete customisation to align with your specific operational needs. Follow these steps to get the most out of the template:

• Download: Select the DOCX or PDF version and download the file.
• Customise: Review the checklist items and adapt them to your workshop. Add, remove, or modify sections to reflect the specific machinery, tools, chemicals, and processes you use. Consider aspects like glass types, handling equipment, and workshop layout.
• IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a template, not a finished document. You must customise it to reflect the specific equipment, processes, and layout of your workplace. We cannot be held liable for incidents arising from the use of an unmodified or improperly customised template.
• Implement: Once customised, brief your team on the new inspection process. Ensure the designated inspectors understand each checkpoint and the procedure for reporting hazards and non-conformances.
• Schedule & Review: Integrate the inspection into your regular WHS schedule. After each inspection, review the findings, assign corrective actions with deadlines, and track them to completion.

Key Areas for Inspection

A thorough glass workshop inspection should cover multiple zones and hazard types. This template provides prompts for areas including:

• General Workshop Environment: Lighting, housekeeping, clear access/egress, trip hazards, and waste disposal (especially for sharp offcuts).
• Glass Storage: Condition of storage racks (A-frames, L-frames), proper securing of sheets, and safe access for retrieval.
• Cutting & Processing Areas: Condition of cutting tables, automated cutters, grinders, and polishers. Check for machine guarding, emergency stops, and dust extraction systems.
• Handling & Lifting: Availability and condition of manual handling aids like suction cups, trolleys, and lifting machinery. If you use overhead lifting equipment, a specific electric hoist pre-start checklist should also be used.
• Chemicals & Substances: Correct storage and labelling of cleaning agents, sealants, or polishing compounds, with Safety Data Sheets (SDS) readily available.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Availability, condition, and proper use of cut-resistant gloves, safety glasses, steel-capped boots, and respiratory protection.
• Site Traffic and Access: For larger facilities, managing the movement of vehicles and pedestrians is crucial. This can be supported by procedures like using a boom gate pre-start checklist at site entry points.

When to use it

The frequency of inspections depends on the level of risk associated with different areas and activities in your workshop. A practical approach is to establish a routine schedule, such as weekly or fortnightly general inspections, supplemented by daily pre-start checks on high-risk machinery.

This routine inspection is distinct from, but complementary to, other safety activities. It is less detailed than formal WHS compliance auditing, which provides a comprehensive, periodic assessment of your entire safety management system against legal and other requirements.

Who should use it

This template is designed for use by anyone with responsibility for workplace safety in a glass workshop. This includes:

• Business Owners and Directors (PCBUs)
• WHS Managers and Safety Officers
• Workshop Supervisors and Team Leaders
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)

Involving workers who operate the machinery and perform the tasks daily is also highly recommended. Their direct experience is invaluable for identifying subtle or emerging hazards that a manager might miss.

For complex operations or high-risk environments, engaging specialist WHS consulting can provide expert guidance on customising your inspection protocols and ensuring your risk controls are effective.

Explore our complete free WHS resources library for more templates, checklists, and policies to support your safety management system.