Product Overview

Summary: This Eco Friendly Cleaning Standards SOP sets out clear, practical steps for delivering high-quality cleaning while protecting workers, building occupants and the environment. It combines WHS-compliant safe work methods with sustainable product selection and waste minimisation tailored to Australian workplaces.

This Eco Friendly Cleaning Standards Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, WHS-aligned framework for carrying out day-to-day cleaning tasks using low-toxicity, environmentally responsible methods. It guides workers on how to safely handle and store green cleaning chemicals, reduce exposure to hazardous substances, and implement ergonomic work practices, while also minimising water, energy and consumable use. The procedure is written for Australian conditions and typical building types, including offices, schools, healthcare, hospitality, and government facilities.

Many organisations are under pressure to improve sustainability performance without compromising hygiene, safety or compliance. Ad-hoc changes such as simply swapping products can introduce new safety risks, inconsistent results, and confusion among staff. This SOP solves those issues by standardising eco friendly cleaning practices, clarifying what “green” actually means in an operational context, and embedding risk controls directly into daily tasks. It helps businesses demonstrate due diligence under WHS laws, support ESG and environmental commitments, and provide a safer, healthier indoor environment for workers, clients and visitors.

Key Benefits

• Ensure cleaning activities are carried out safely while transitioning to lower-toxicity, environmentally responsible products and methods.
• Reduce worker exposure to hazardous chemicals, strong fragrances and aerosols that can trigger respiratory and skin irritation.
• Demonstrate alignment with Australian WHS obligations and organisational sustainability or ESG targets through documented, auditable procedures.
• Standardise cleaning methods across sites and teams, improving consistency, efficiency and training outcomes.
• Minimise waste, water and energy use associated with cleaning operations, reducing operating costs over time.

Who is this for?

• Cleaning Supervisors
• Contract Cleaning Company Owners
• Facilities Managers
• WHS Managers
• Environmental and Sustainability Managers
• School Business Managers
• Aged Care and Healthcare Facility Managers
• Accommodation and Hospitality Managers
• Office Managers
• Local Government Property and Asset Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to hazardous or sensitising cleaning chemicals (skin contact, inhalation, eye contact)
• Slip, trip and fall risks from wet floors and poorly signposted cleaning areas
• Manual handling injuries from lifting, carrying and repetitive cleaning tasks
• Poor indoor air quality from aerosols, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and strong fragrances
• Cross-contamination between clean and dirty areas or between different functional zones (e.g. bathrooms, kitchens, clinical spaces)
• Inadequate labelling, storage and segregation of cleaning chemicals and waste
• Electrical hazards when using powered cleaning equipment in wet areas
• Sharps and biological hazards when handling waste and sanitary or clinical areas (where applicable)

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Eco Friendly Cleaning Principles
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for Cleaning Tasks
• 6.0 Selection and Approval of Eco Friendly Cleaning Products and Equipment
• 7.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 8.0 Chemical Handling, Dilution, Labelling and Storage Procedures
• 9.0 Environmentally Responsible Cleaning Methods by Area Type (Offices, Amenities, Kitchens, Healthcare, Classrooms, Public Areas)
• 10.0 Safe Use of Cleaning Equipment (Vacuums, Auto-scrubbers, Steam Cleaners, Pressure Cleaners)
• 11.0 Spill Management, Waste Segregation and Recycling Procedures
• 12.0 Infection Control and Cross-Contamination Prevention Measures
• 13.0 Manual Handling and Ergonomic Work Practices
• 14.0 Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation Considerations
• 15.0 Signage, Area Isolation and Public Safety During Cleaning
• 16.0 Emergency Procedures and First Aid for Chemical Exposure and Incidents
• 17.0 Training, Competency and Induction Requirements
• 18.0 Inspection, Monitoring, Auditing and Continuous Improvement
• 19.0 Record Keeping and Document Control

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and corresponding state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 4801:2001 Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still commonly referenced)
• ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• AS 1319:1994 Safety signs for the occupational environment
• National Standard for the Control of Inorganic Lead at Work [where relevant to older buildings with lead-based paint]
• Local trade waste, water conservation and environmental protection requirements issued by state EPAs and water authorities