Glazing and curtain wall contractors work at the most exposed locations on a commercial building — exterior perimeters, open floor edges, and suspended platforms on the building face. The fall exposure is constant and severe throughout the installation process.
GC safety coordinators consider glazing one of the highest-risk scopes for fall protection. Your plan must address how workers will be protected while handling and installing glass panels and curtain wall units at the building perimeter — often with open edges just feet away from the work.
Glazing installation occurs at the building perimeter where exterior walls are not yet enclosed. Workers face fall exposure to the exterior at every floor.
Exterior glazing often requires suspended scaffolding on the building face for installation and sealing at upper floors.
Maneuvering large, heavy glass panels near open edges. Wind loads on panels can pull workers off balance toward the perimeter.
Guiding and connecting crane-lifted curtain wall units at elevation requires workers at open edges during placement.
Before curtain wall sections are installed, floor edges are open to the exterior. Workers staging materials face interior-to-exterior fall exposure.
Glazing contractors work at the most dangerous location on the building — the open perimeter. GC safety coordinators will specifically verify that your plan addresses how workers are protected at floor edges before, during, and after panel installation. They expect detailed perimeter protection procedures, not generic fall protection language.
In addition to the 10 standard sections of every SafeDocs Fall Protection Plan, your plan will address these trade-specific elements:
Perimeter fall protection during curtain wall installation
Suspended scaffold procedures for exterior glazing
Glass panel handling near open edges — wind load considerations
Crane-set unit connection fall protection
Floor edge protection before and after panel installation
Material staging zones and perimeter setback requirements
Yes. Partially installed curtain wall sections do not count as fall protection. Workers must maintain PFAS or guardrail protection at all open perimeters until the curtain wall system is fully enclosed and secured.
Yes. If any of your glazing work is above 6 feet — including interior storefront, partition glass, or atrium systems — the plan covers those hazards. Identify all at-height work in the form.