Product Overview

Summary: This Infection Control and Hygiene Practices Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, practical framework for preventing the spread of infectious diseases in Australian workplaces. It translates WHS and public health requirements into day‑to‑day actions, helping you protect workers, visitors and clients while maintaining business continuity and compliance.

Infectious disease risks are no longer limited to hospitals and clinics; every Australian workplace now has a duty to actively manage infection hazards. This Infection Control and Hygiene Practices SOP sets out a structured, evidence‑based approach to minimising the transmission of viruses, bacteria and other pathogens through clear hygiene protocols, cleaning standards, and worker responsibilities. It converts broad WHS and public health obligations into consistent, repeatable practices that can be easily trained, audited and improved.

The procedure covers the full infection control lifecycle, from risk assessment and hand hygiene through to cleaning, disinfection, waste handling and managing workers who are unwell. It addresses both routine operations and heightened controls during outbreaks or pandemics, enabling businesses to respond quickly without having to “reinvent the wheel”. By adopting this SOP, organisations can demonstrate due diligence under WHS legislation, reassure staff and clients that their health is being actively protected, and reduce the likelihood of costly disruptions due to preventable illness and absenteeism.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of infection transmission between workers, clients and visitors through consistent hygiene and cleaning practices.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS duties and public health guidance related to infection prevention and control.
• Standardise cleaning, disinfection and hand hygiene procedures across all sites and shifts for greater reliability and accountability.
• Support business continuity by minimising illness‑related absenteeism and operational disruptions during outbreaks.
• Build confidence among staff, contractors and customers that the workplace is managed to a professional health and hygiene standard.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Practice Managers (Medical, Dental, Allied Health)
• Aged Care Facility Managers
• Childcare Centre Directors
• Hospital and Clinic Nurse Unit Managers
• Infection Prevention and Control Coordinators
• Human Resources Managers
• Cleaning and Environmental Services Supervisors
• Hospitality Venue Managers
• Retail and Customer Service Managers
• Manufacturing Operations Managers
• Construction Site Supervisors

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to airborne infectious agents (e.g. respiratory viruses such as influenza and COVID‑19)
• Exposure to blood‑borne and body fluid pathogens (e.g. hepatitis, HIV) during cleaning or first aid
• Contact transmission of pathogens via contaminated hands, surfaces, equipment and shared tools
• Inadequate or incorrect use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during cleaning and close‑contact tasks
• Cross‑contamination between clean and dirty areas, equipment and materials
• Improper handling and disposal of clinical, sanitary and general waste
• Psychological stress and anxiety among workers due to perceived poor infection control practices

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Consultation
• 4.0 Infection Risk Assessment and Hierarchy of Controls
• 5.0 Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette Requirements
• 6.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Selection, Use and Disposal
• 7.0 Cleaning, Disinfection and Sanitisation Protocols
• 8.0 Management of Shared Equipment, Tools and High‑Touch Surfaces
• 9.0 Waste Management and Laundry Handling Procedures
• 10.0 Managing Symptomatic, Exposed or High‑Risk Workers
• 11.0 Response Procedures for Suspected or Confirmed Infection Cases
• 12.0 Training, Induction and Competency Requirements
• 13.0 Record Keeping, Monitoring and Audit Processes
• 14.0 Review, Continuous Improvement and Document Control

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act and Regulations (Safe Work Australia)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• 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
• AS/NZS 4187: Reprocessing of reusable medical devices in health service organisations
• Safe Work Australia – Guidance: Workplace exposure to COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases
• State and Territory Public Health Acts and related infection control directions