Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out clear, practical steps for selecting, handling and using green cleaning products safely and effectively in Australian workplaces. It helps organisations reduce chemical exposure, protect workers and building occupants, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to sustainability without compromising hygiene standards.

The shift towards environmentally preferable cleaning products is accelerating across Australian workplaces, but “green” does not automatically mean “risk‑free”. Many eco-labelled products still contain chemicals that can irritate the skin, trigger asthma, damage surfaces, or create slip hazards if they are used incorrectly or mixed inappropriately. This Green Cleaning Products Usage SOP provides a structured, WHS-aligned approach to product selection, storage, dilution, application and disposal, ensuring that sustainability goals are met without introducing new health and safety risks.

Developed for the Australian regulatory context, the procedure helps businesses integrate green cleaning into their existing WHS management system and contractor arrangements. It standardises how staff and contractors read and apply Safety Data Sheets (SDS), interpret eco-labels, manage decanting and labelling, and implement ventilation, PPE and spill response controls tailored to low-to-moderate hazard products. By adopting this SOP, organisations can reduce their chemical risk profile, support indoor air quality, and provide clear, defensible evidence of due diligence under WHS legislation, while also supporting ESG and sustainability reporting requirements.

Key Benefits

• Reduce worker exposure to hazardous chemicals by standardising safer, low-toxicity product selection and use.
• Improve indoor air quality for staff, students, residents and visitors through controlled application and ventilation practices.
• Ensure consistent, compliant use of green cleaning products across in-house teams and external cleaning contractors.
• Support WHS due diligence and sustainability commitments with documented, auditable cleaning procedures.
• Minimise waste and costs by controlling dilution rates, storage, and disposal of green cleaning concentrates and containers.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Facility Managers
• Cleaning Supervisors
• Contract Cleaning Company Owners
• Environmental and Sustainability Managers
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• School Business Managers
• Aged Care and Healthcare Facility Managers
• Hospitality and Accommodation Managers
• Office and Building Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Skin and eye irritation from contact with cleaning chemicals, even low-toxicity or eco-labelled products
• Respiratory irritation and asthma exacerbation from vapours, mists or fragrances
• Chemical exposure due to incorrect dilution, decanting or unlabelled containers
• Slip and trip hazards from overspray, spills or residue left on floors and surfaces
• Incompatible chemical mixing leading to hazardous reactions or off-gassing
• Manual handling risks from transporting bulk containers of cleaning products
• Environmental contamination from incorrect disposal of concentrates and containers
• Allergic reactions to fragrances, plant extracts or preservatives in green products

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology (including ‘green’ and eco-labelled products)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Selection and Approval of Green Cleaning Products
• 6.0 Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Product Information Requirements
• 7.0 Storage, Labelling and Decanting of Green Cleaning Products
• 8.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 9.0 Dilution, Mixing and Measuring Procedures
• 10.0 Safe Application Methods (Spray, Wipe, Mopping, Disinfection)
• 11.0 Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Controls
• 12.0 Managing Sensitive Occupants (allergies, asthma, children, aged care residents)
• 13.0 Spill Management and Incident Response
• 14.0 Waste Management and Environmentally Responsible Disposal
• 15.0 Contractor Management and Communication with Building Users
• 16.0 Training, Induction and Competency Requirements
• 17.0 Inspection, Monitoring and Continuous Improvement
• 18.0 Recordkeeping and Document Control

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• 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
• Safe Work Australia – Guidance on Workplace Exposure Standards for Airborne Contaminants
• AS 1940: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids (where applicable to certain cleaning products)
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment (where respiratory protection is required)
• AS/NZS 2161: Occupational protective gloves – Selection, use and maintenance
• Green Star Performance and Green Star – Buildings (GBCA) – Guidance on green cleaning (for sustainability-aligned operations)