Product Overview

Summary: This Electronics Cleaning and Protection SOP sets out safe, consistent methods for cleaning, handling and protecting electronic equipment in Australian workplaces. It reduces the risk of electric shock, equipment damage, data loss and downtime while supporting compliance with WHS and electrical safety obligations.

Electronic devices are now critical infrastructure in almost every Australian workplace, from hospitals and laboratories to construction site offices and schools. Poor cleaning practices, use of unsuitable chemicals, or ad‑hoc protective measures can result in electric shock, short circuits, overheating, fire, corrosion and costly data loss. This Electronics Cleaning and Protection Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step‑by‑step framework for safely cleaning and protecting computers, servers, medical devices, test instruments, communication systems and other sensitive electronics without compromising worker safety or equipment integrity.

The procedure guides workers through pre‑cleaning isolation and lock‑out steps, selection of appropriate antistatic tools and cleaning agents, safe disassembly (where permitted), moisture and condensation control, and correct re‑commissioning and testing. It also covers ongoing protection measures such as dust management, cable routing, surge and ESD protection, and environmental controls in server rooms and equipment bays. By implementing this SOP, organisations can reduce unplanned outages, extend asset life, demonstrate due diligence under WHS legislation, and provide a consistent, defensible method for anyone who cleans or maintains electronic equipment.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of electric shock, short circuits and equipment fires during cleaning activities.
• Extend the lifespan and reliability of electronic assets through correct cleaning agents, tools and protection methods.
• Ensure consistent, auditable cleaning practices that support compliance with Australian WHS and electrical safety requirements.
• Minimise downtime and data loss by providing clear isolation, restart and post‑cleaning verification steps.
• Improve housekeeping standards in server rooms, workshops and offices, reducing dust, clutter and trip hazards around electronic installations.

Who is this for?

• IT Managers
• WHS Managers
• Laboratory Managers
• Facilities Managers
• Maintenance Technicians
• Electronics Technicians
• AV and ICT Support Staff
• Production Supervisors in Electronics Manufacturing
• Healthcare Technology (Biomedical) Technicians
• School and TAFE ICT Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Electric shock from live or improperly isolated equipment
• Short circuits and component damage caused by liquids or conductive cleaning residues
• Static electricity (electrostatic discharge) damaging sensitive electronic components
• Fire risk from flammable aerosols, solvents or accumulated dust near power supplies and vents
• Burns from hot components, power supplies or equipment enclosures
• Manual handling injuries when moving or repositioning heavy electronic equipment such as UPS units or servers
• Trip hazards from poorly managed cables and temporary leads during cleaning activities
• Exposure to hazardous substances in some cleaning products (e.g. solvents, aerosols)
• Eye and respiratory irritation from sprays, dust and compressed air use

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 References, Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for Electronics Cleaning
• 6.0 Required Training and Competency
• 7.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Antistatic Controls
• 8.0 Tools, Materials and Approved Cleaning Agents
• 9.0 Pre‑Cleaning Preparation and Isolation Procedures
• 10.0 Safe Cleaning Procedures for Powered‑Down Equipment
• 11.0 Limited Cleaning Near Live or Critical Equipment (Authorised Personnel Only)
• 12.0 Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Prevention and Control Measures
• 13.0 Moisture, Condensation and Drying Controls
• 14.0 Equipment Protection Measures (Dust, Physical, Surge and Environmental Protection)
• 15.0 Cable Management and Housekeeping Requirements
• 16.0 Post‑Cleaning Inspection, Testing and Return to Service
• 17.0 Waste Management, Disposal of Consumables and Environmental Considerations
• 18.0 Incident Reporting, Fault Escalation and Non‑Conformance Management
• 19.0 Document Control, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and harmonised state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities
• AS/NZS 3000:2018 Electrical installations (Wiring Rules)
• AS/NZS 3760:2022 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems
• AS/NZS 2243.2: Safety in laboratories – Chemical aspects (for laboratory electronics and instrumentation)
• AS/NZS 61000 series: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – guidance for ESD and interference control