Scope

The term “glazier” defines a person having the knowledge, training, and abilities to prepare, install, replace, and service glass and related components and products in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. A glazier may perform these job duties on buildings and other structures and on vehicles, furniture, and other products. Glaziers may be employed by construction glass installation contractors, retail service, repair shops and glass fabrication shops.

The glazier has the abilities, knowledge, and skills to perform all or some of the following duties: 1) handling, cutting, shaping, preparing, and fabricating glass to specifications; 2) fabricating, preparing, laying out, and installing support structures, flashings, sealants, and membranes for window installation; 3) installing glass and glass products on walls, ceilings, and other support structures; 4) installing and servicing glass, doors, windows, and associated hardware; 5) fabricating, installing, and servicing specialty products; 6) replacing tempered glass, windshields, and associated hardware on vehicles; and 7) servicing and maintaining door and window systems in existing facilities. Some glaziers may specialize in one or more of the above-named duties.

To perform their job duties effectively and efficiently, glaziers should know all applicable codes and regulations. They must have the ability to properly operate hand and power tools, specialty layout tools, and related equipment. The occupation of glazier involves a considerable amount of physical work. Glaziers routinely need to climb ladders, work from scaffolds, use self-propelled elevated work platforms, as well as load and drive trucks. In spite of considerable requirements for lifting and carrying heavy loads, only average strength is required since these tasks are usually performed by a team. Glaziers must also have the knowledge and skills to determine the appropriate and safest means of performing their tasks, since they face the danger of exposure to toxic substances, cuts from glass and injury from lifting and falls.

A glazier interacts with co-workers, clients, tradespeople and other professionals, which requires good interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate in both oral and written forms.

Observations

Some significant observations and trends emerged from the national occupational analysis of the glazier’s occupation. These observations and trends are briefly outlined in this section.

Glaziers may be required to perform both shop and site duties. Some duties of the glazing occupation, such as installation of automotive glass and installation of glass in recreational facilities, are becoming specialty areas.

The increasing use of prefabricated windows, glass doors, and curtain walls has altered the job tasks of glaziers. Improvements in the thermal capacity of modern glass and the demand for more vision result in larger modules that are heavier, which requires increased knowledge of hoisting and rigging. The increased use of self-propelled elevated work platforms requires knowledge about them and their proper operating techniques. There is a trend towards introducing mandatory certification for operating such equipment.

As the trade becomes more sophisticated and customers develop higher expectations for services, sound employability skills are becoming increasingly more important to glaziers. These essential employability skills include: learning how to learn, computation, writing, reading, communication, listening, problem solving, creative thinking, and interpersonal skills.

There is a general concern regarding the decline in the number of apprentices entering the occupation. This problem is not particular to glaziers, but has rather reached a crisis state in many other apprenticeable trades due to the overemphasis currently being placed on academics and white-collar occupations. The workforce in the glazing industry consists of an aging population. The age gap between experienced glaziers and apprentices is increasing. As experienced glaziers retire, there are fewer qualified individuals to train new apprentices.

The introduction of tuition fees for the institutionalized training component of apprenticeship has resulted in declining enrolment and undue economic hardship for apprentices. New initiatives are required to revitalize apprenticeship and attract new apprentices to the occupation, including those from non-traditional groups.

There is a need for standardization and certification in the trade. More attention should be paid to programs such as the Red Seal.

Safety

Safe working procedures and conditions, accident prevention and the preservation of health are of primary importance to industry in Canada. These responsibilities are shared and require the joint efforts of government, employers and employees. It is imperative that all parties become aware of circumstances that may lead to injury or harm. Safe learning experiences and environments can be created by controlling the variables and behaviours that may contribute to accidents or injury.

It is generally recognized that safety-conscious attitudes and work practices contribute to a healthy, safe and accident-free working environment.

It is imperative to apply and be familiar with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS) Regulations. As well, it is essential to determine workplace hazards and take measures to protect oneself, co-workers, the public, and the environment.

As safety education is an integral part of training in all jurisdictions, personal safety practices are not recorded in this document. However, the technical safety aspect relating to each task and sub-task are included throughout this analysis.

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