Product Overview

Summary: This Floor Scrubbing Safe Operating Procedure sets out safe, consistent methods for machine and manual floor scrubbing across Australian workplaces. It helps control slip, trip and chemical hazards while maintaining clean, presentable floors that support WHS compliance and a professional image.

Floor scrubbing is a routine task that carries significant risk when carried out without a structured, safety-led process. Wet and contaminated floors are a leading cause of slips, trips and falls in Australian workplaces, particularly in high-traffic areas such as retail, healthcare, hospitality, education and industrial facilities. This Floor Scrubbing Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step-by-step method for planning, performing and documenting floor scrubbing activities using both powered scrubbers and manual equipment.

The SOP guides workers through pre-start inspections, safe chemical handling and dilution, equipment setup, zoning and signage, controlled cleaning techniques, and post-task checks to ensure floors are left safe, dry and fit for use. It directly supports your WHS obligations by embedding risk controls for pedestrian management, electrical safety, manual handling and exposure to cleaning chemicals. By implementing this procedure, businesses can significantly reduce incident rates, improve housekeeping standards, and demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients and auditors.

Developed for the Australian context, this SOP is suitable for in-house cleaning teams as well as contract cleaning providers working under service level agreements. It helps standardise training, reduce variability between shifts and sites, and provides a defensible framework you can reference in your WHS management system, risk assessments, and contractor induction processes.

Key Benefits

• Reduce slip, trip and fall incidents by standardising safe floor scrubbing practices and pedestrian controls.
• Ensure compliant handling, storage and dilution of cleaning chemicals in line with WHS and SDS requirements.
• Streamline training and onboarding for cleaning staff and contractors with a clear, step-by-step procedure.
• Extend the life of floor finishes and equipment by specifying correct techniques, pads, brushes and maintenance routines.
• Demonstrate due diligence to clients, auditors and regulators with a documented, risk-based cleaning procedure.

Who is this for?

• Cleaning Supervisors
• Contract Cleaning Managers
• Facilities Managers
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• WHS Managers
• Hospital and Aged Care Environmental Services Managers
• Retail Store Managers
• Warehouse and Distribution Centre Managers
• School and University Facilities Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Slips, trips and falls on wet or recently cleaned floors
• Chemical exposure from cleaning agents (skin contact, eye contact, inhalation)
• Electrical hazards from powered floor scrubbers and extension leads
• Manual handling injuries from moving, lifting and transporting equipment, tanks and chemicals
• Noise exposure from powered scrubbing equipment in enclosed spaces
• Contact with moving parts of floor scrubbing machines
• Ergonomic strain from repetitive movements and poor posture during cleaning
• Collision risks between scrubbers and pedestrians, fixtures or stock in high-traffic areas

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Types of Floor Scrubbing Equipment
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and References
• 5.0 Required PPE and Safety Signage
• 6.0 Equipment and Chemical Requirements
• 7.0 Pre-Start Checks and Area Preparation
• 8.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Controls
• 9.0 Step-by-Step Floor Scrubbing Procedure (Powered Machines)
• 10.0 Step-by-Step Floor Scrubbing Procedure (Manual Methods)
• 11.0 Chemical Handling, Dilution and Spill Management
• 12.0 Pedestrian Management and Access Control
• 13.0 Post-Task Inspection, Drying and Handover of Area
• 14.0 Equipment Cleaning, Maintenance and Storage
• 15.0 Emergency Procedures and Incident Reporting
• 16.0 Training, Competency and Authorisation Requirements
• 17.0 Documentation, Records and Review

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state/territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state/territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• AS/NZS 4024 series: Safety of machinery (for powered floor scrubbers)
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment (where applicable)
• AS/NZS 2161 series: Occupational protective gloves
• AS/NZS 1319: Safety signs for the occupational environment