Product Overview

Summary: This Infectious Disease Management Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, practical framework for preventing, responding to, and recovering from infectious disease risks in Australian workplaces. It supports compliance with WHS obligations while helping organisations protect workers, visitors, and clients from communicable illnesses and business disruption.

Infectious diseases such as influenza, COVID-19, gastroenteritis, measles and other communicable conditions can spread rapidly in workplaces, particularly where people work in close proximity or interact with vulnerable populations. This Infectious Disease Management Safe Operating Procedure gives your organisation a structured, evidence-based approach to managing these risks – from everyday hygiene controls to outbreak response and business continuity. It aligns with Australian WHS duties to provide a safe working environment, and is adaptable across sectors including healthcare, aged care, education, community services, hospitality, office environments and construction site amenities.

The SOP sets out clear roles, triggers and actions so that managers and workers know exactly what to do before, during and after an infectious disease event. It covers risk assessment, control measures, isolation and notification protocols, cleaning and disinfection requirements, PPE use, communication templates and return-to-work criteria. By standardising your response, you reduce confusion, minimise transmission, and demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients and staff. This procedure is particularly valuable for organisations wanting a practical, ready-to-implement framework that can be quickly updated as public health advice or legislation changes.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of infectious disease transmission between workers, clients and visitors.
• Ensure compliance with WHS laws, public health directions and industry-specific infection control requirements.
• Standardise your organisation’s response to suspected and confirmed infectious disease cases.
• Strengthen worker confidence through clear guidance on hygiene, PPE, isolation and return-to-work processes.
• Minimise operational disruption and reputational damage during outbreaks or public health emergencies.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• HR Managers
• Practice Managers (Medical and Allied Health)
• Aged Care Facility Managers
• Childcare Centre Directors
• School Business Managers
• Infection Prevention and Control Coordinators
• Operations Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Facilities Managers
• Return-to-Work Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to airborne infectious agents (e.g. respiratory droplets and aerosols).
• Exposure to infectious agents via contact with contaminated surfaces and equipment.
• Exposure to blood and body fluids during work tasks.
• Secondary psychosocial risks arising from anxiety, stigma and misinformation about infectious diseases.
• Business continuity risks due to high staff absenteeism or site closures.
• Non-compliance with public health orders or WHS obligations relating to communicable diseases.

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms (including infectious disease categories)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Consultation
• 4.0 Legislative and Standards Framework
• 5.0 Infectious Disease Risk Assessment and Hierarchy of Control
• 6.0 Baseline Infection Prevention Measures (hygiene, respiratory etiquette, vaccination)
• 7.0 Workplace Environmental Controls (ventilation, layout, barriers and signage)
• 8.0 Personal Protective Equipment (selection, use, fit and maintenance)
• 9.0 Screening, Reporting and Notification of Suspected or Confirmed Cases
• 10.0 Isolation, Exclusion and Quarantine Procedures
• 11.0 Cleaning, Disinfection and Waste Management Requirements
• 12.0 Outbreak Management and Business Continuity Planning
• 13.0 Communication, Training and Worker Information
• 14.0 Psychosocial Risk Management and Support During Infectious Disease Events
• 15.0 Return-to-Work and Fitness-for-Duty Criteria
• 16.0 Recordkeeping, Privacy and Data Management
• 17.0 Incident Review, Corrective Actions and Continuous Improvement
• 18.0 References, Supporting Documents and Customisation Notes

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS legislation
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and state/territory equivalents
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (NHMRC)
• Aged Care Quality Standards (for aged care providers)
• Public health and notifiable disease legislation applicable in each state and territory
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 2243.1: Safety in laboratories – Planning and operational aspects (where applicable)