Product Overview

Summary: This High Touch Point Disinfecting SOP sets out a clear, repeatable method for cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces to minimise the spread of infectious diseases in Australian workplaces. It supports your WHS obligations by defining who does what, how often, and with which products, so hygiene controls are consistent, auditable and easy to train.

High touch surfaces such as door handles, lift buttons, touchscreens, handrails and reception counters are key transmission points for viruses and bacteria. During periods of heightened infection risk – such as flu season or outbreaks of illnesses like COVID-19 – inconsistent or ad‑hoc cleaning practices expose workers, customers and vulnerable persons to avoidable harm. This High Touch Point Disinfecting Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, evidence‑based approach for identifying, cleaning and disinfecting these surfaces across your workplace.

The SOP translates public health and WHS expectations into practical daily routines that cleaning teams and general staff can actually follow. It defines frequency schedules based on risk, specifies approved disinfectants, clarifies contact times and dwell periods, and integrates PPE, hand hygiene and waste disposal requirements. By implementing this procedure, organisations can demonstrate due diligence under Australian WHS legislation, reduce absenteeism linked to infectious illness, and give staff and visitors confidence that hygiene controls are being managed professionally and consistently.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of infection transmission by standardising how and when high touch surfaces are disinfected.
• Ensure alignment with Australian WHS duties and public health guidance for managing infectious disease risks.
• Improve consistency and quality of cleaning services across shifts, locations and contracted providers.
• Provide clear, step‑by‑step instructions that simplify training for new cleaners and general staff.
• Support defensible record‑keeping and audit trails to demonstrate that hygiene controls are in place and monitored.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Infection Control Coordinators
• Facilities Managers
• Cleaning Supervisors
• Contract Cleaning Providers
• Practice Managers (Medical and Allied Health)
• Aged Care Managers
• Childcare Centre Directors
• Hotel and Hospitality Managers
• Office and Building Managers
• Retail Store Managers
• School Business Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to infectious agents on contaminated surfaces (e.g. viruses, bacteria)
• Cross‑contamination between work areas via cleaning tools and equipment
• Chemical exposure from incorrect selection, dilution or use of disinfectants
• Skin and eye irritation from cleaning products and disinfectants
• Slips and trips due to wet floors or poorly managed cleaning activities
• Improper handling and disposal of contaminated waste and used PPE

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms (High Touch Points, Cleaning vs Disinfecting, Contact Time)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Managers, Cleaners, General Staff)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Guidance
• 5.0 High Touch Point Identification and Risk Assessment
• 6.0 Required PPE, Cleaning Equipment and Approved Disinfectants
• 7.0 Preparation of Work Area and Chemical Dilutions
• 8.0 Step‑by‑Step High Touch Point Disinfecting Procedure
• 9.0 Frequency Schedules and Cleaning Checklists by Area Type
• 10.0 Infection Control Measures and Cross‑Contamination Prevention
• 11.0 Waste Management and Disposal of Contaminated Materials
• 12.0 Incident Reporting, Exposure Response and Escalation
• 13.0 Training, Competency and Supervision Requirements
• 14.0 Cleaning Logs, Monitoring, Inspection and Continuous Improvement
• 15.0 Document Control and Review

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS legislation
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice
• Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (NHMRC)
• AS/NZS 4815: Office-based health care facilities – Reprocessing of reusable medical and surgical instruments and equipment, and maintenance of the associated environment (where applicable)
• AS/NZS 4146: Laundry practices (for workplaces handling contaminated linens)
• TGA requirements for hospital grade and household disinfectants (Therapeutic Goods Administration)