WorkSafe Victoria issues safety alert about glass panels and child impact

An alert about the risks associated with glass panels breaking from child impact at early childhood education and care (ECEC) services has been issued by WorkSafe Victoria after a serious incident in which a young child was leaning against a window which then dislodged and shattered, resulting in hospitalisation for the child who sustained a severe laceration.

• arrange for a glazier to attend the ECEC service to audit all windows and glass doors and identify which windows and doors conform with marking requirements, such as opaque or translucent strips designed to alert a person that there is glass

• replace or protect glass from impact in medium or high impact zones if it does not have a legible and permanent marking that identifies it as safety glass

• fit safety glass or thicker annealed glass in areas of a building which are prone to human impact. The likelihood of a person receiving cutting or piercing injuries will be minimised by the increased thickness or characteristics of the glass

• ensure people know where glass is located by making it as visible as possible. For example, use stiles, bars or by making the glass opaque

• if glass in a door or side panel is not obvious, mark it to be visible

• treat glass with a product that prevents glass from shattering if broken

• guard glass with barriers that prevent children from striking or falling against the glass

• regularly conduct inspections of the workplace, including all areas with glass.