General Commercial and Office Cleaning SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning, setting up and carrying out general commercial and office cleaning activities, from chemical preparation through to final sign-off. It supports work planning by identifying hazards associated with cleaning tasks, equipment, waste and public areas.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan work before starting and consider site access, occupants and emergency arrangements
• Set up a cleaning area while managing pedestrian access, equipment placement, lighting and exits
• Inspect cleaning equipment and tools before use
• Prepare and handle cleaning chemicals, including dilution, compatibility and spill risks
• Use housekeeping carts while managing loads, movement and stored chemicals
• Clean general surfaces while addressing dust, sharp edges, contamination and repetitive work
• Clean bathrooms and amenities, including wet-floor, sharps and biological contamination risks
• Clean floors, stairs, glass, aquariums, ceilings, overheads, escalators and systems
• Manage waste and litter, including sharps, leaks and vehicle interaction
• Store equipment safely, complete final checks and remove isolations before reopening the area

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out general commercial and office cleaning.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations, including duties to consult, identify hazards, eliminate or minimise risks, provide safe plant and systems of work, maintain workplace access and facilities, and manage hazardous chemicals, plant, electricity, falls, manual tasks and psychosocial risks.
• Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks, as guidance; confirm whether it is approved or otherwise applicable in the jurisdiction.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace, as guidance for SDS access, labelling, storage, handling, maintenance and review of controls.
• Model Code of Practice: Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals and Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals, as guidance; use PPE only with higher-order controls and select it using SDS information.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace, as guidance for RCD protection, inspection, testing and licensed electrical work.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces, as guidance; eliminate height work where practicable and use safer access before ladders or fall-arrest equipment.
• Work Health and Safety (Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work) Code of Practice 2024, where applicable, as guidance for reporting, responding to violence, isolated work, unreasonable demands and harmful behaviours.
• AS/NZS 1892 Portable ladders; AS/NZS 3760 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment; AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations—Construction and demolition sites where applicable; AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory protective equipment; AS/NZS 1337.1 Eye and face protection; AS/NZS 2210.3 Safety footwear; AS/NZS 1270 Hearing protectors; AS/NZS 1906.4 and AS/NZS 4602.1 High-visibility safety garments.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections