Safety Glazing Program
Safety glazing material requirements, hazardous location identification, breakage hazard controls, and IBC compliance.
What this document is
This document is a written Safety Glazing Program that meets federal and state construction standards. It provides contractors with clear procedures for selecting and installing safety glazing materials in areas where breakage could cause injury.
The regulation that requires it
29 CFR 1926.1052 requires employers to ensure that stairways, ladders, and related walking-working surfaces incorporate safety glazing where glass is installed in hazardous locations. The rule references ANSI Z97.1 for performance standards on glazing materials and mandates that safety glazing be used in areas subject to human impact. In California this is also enforced under Title 8 CCR 3203 and related Cal/OSHA construction orders. The standard requires identification of hazardous locations, use of properly marked safety glazing, and documentation of compliance measures.
Who needs it
General contractors, framing crews, window installers, and finish carpenters working on commercial or residential projects need this program. Any employer whose scope includes installing or replacing glass in walking-working surfaces or hazardous locations must maintain it. California contractors face additional Title 8 enforcement and should use this document to align with both federal and state requirements. Multi-employer job sites in California often require the prime contractor to verify that all trades meet these glazing rules.
What happens without it
OSHA and Cal/OSHA inspectors routinely check glazing installations during construction inspections. A serious violation can result in penalties in the range of several thousand dollars while willful or repeat violations can reach tens of thousands per citation. Lack of a written program increases the chance of multi-employer citations on California job sites. Without documentation employers cannot easily prove they identified hazardous locations or selected compliant materials.
What's included in the generated document
- Purpose and scope of the Safety Glazing Program
- Definitions of hazardous locations per 29 CFR 1926.1052 and ANSI Z97.1
- Procedures for identifying and marking hazardous glazing areas
- Approved safety glazing materials and labeling requirements
- Recordkeeping and training responsibilities
How to implement it at your company
- Download and review the PDF to confirm it matches your scope of work.
- Assign a competent person to conduct a site-specific hazardous location survey.
- Update the document with project details, identified hazards, and selected glazing materials.
- Train affected employees and subcontractors on the program requirements.
- Keep the completed program on site and available for OSHA or Cal/OSHA review.