Product Overview

This Laundry Safety SWMS is a site-ready Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards and implement controls for commercial and industrial laundry operations. It is a comprehensive document covering multiple aspects of laundry safety to support WHS compliance and effective risk management across drycleaning and laundering activities.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe operation of commercial and industrial washing machines, dryers, and associated plant
• Handling, sorting, and segregation of soiled, contaminated, or infectious laundry items
• Dryclean service processes, including safe use, storage, and handling of drycleaning chemicals and solvents
• Laundering workwear, uniforms, and PPE to prevent cross-contamination and maintain garment integrity
• Management of hot water, steam, and heated equipment to minimise burn and scald risks
• Manual handling of laundry bags, linen trolleys, and bulk loads to reduce musculoskeletal injuries
• Use of mechanical aids, conveyors, and trolleys for transporting laundry within commercial and industrial facilities
• Safe use of ironing, pressing, and finishing equipment, including steam irons and presses
• Controls for exposure to hazardous chemicals, detergents, sanitisers, and disinfectants, including correct PPE
• Housekeeping, spill management, and waste disposal procedures for laundry and dryclean operations
• Infection control measures for laundry from healthcare, aged care, hospitality, and food-related environments
• Emergency procedures for plant malfunction, chemical exposure, fire, and electrical faults in laundry areas
• Lockout/tagout and isolation procedures for maintenance and cleaning of laundry machinery

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for commercial and industrial laundries, dryclean services, healthcare and aged care linen services, hospitality laundries, and site supervisors responsible for managing laundry operations and contractor safety.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – guidance on identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing controls in laundry environments
• Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities – requirements for ventilation, amenities, and safe work areas in laundry and dryclean facilities
• Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – controls for lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling laundry loads and trolleys
• Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace – safe storage, handling, and use of detergents, sanitisers, and drycleaning chemicals
• Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace – provisions for first aid in commercial and industrial laundry settings
• AS/NZS 2243 Safety in Laboratories (relevant infection control principles) – referenced for handling potentially infectious materials and decontamination processes
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, Use and Maintenance of Respiratory Protective Equipment – guidance where respiratory protection is required for chemical or biohazard exposure
• AS/NZS 2161 Occupational Protective Gloves – selection and use of appropriate hand protection for laundry and chemical handling tasks
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017