Product Overview

Summary: This Locker Room Hygiene Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps to maintain clean, safe and hygienic change facilities in line with Australian WHS expectations. It helps businesses control infection risks, prevent slips, trips and falls, and provide workers with sanitary amenities that support health, dignity and compliance.

Locker rooms and change facilities are high-traffic areas where moisture, sweat, soiled clothing and shared surfaces create ideal conditions for germs to spread and slip hazards to develop. In Australia, PCBUs have a legal duty to provide workers with clean, safe amenities, yet locker rooms are often overlooked in formal WHS systems. This Locker Room Hygiene Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step-by-step framework to manage cleaning, inspection, waste handling and user behaviour so that change areas remain hygienic, safe and fit for purpose throughout the day.

The procedure defines responsibilities for staff and contractors, sets minimum cleaning frequencies, and standardises the use of approved chemicals, PPE and equipment. It also addresses practical issues such as managing wet floors, odour control, handling contaminated clothing and sharps, and responding to bodily fluid incidents in line with infection control principles. By implementing this SOP, organisations can reduce illness and injury risks, demonstrate compliance with WHS and public health requirements, and improve worker satisfaction by providing consistently clean, respectful facilities.

Key Benefits

• Ensure locker room cleanliness and hygiene meet Australian WHS and workplace amenities expectations.
• Reduce the risk of slips, trips, falls and infection transmission in wet and high-contact areas.
• Standardise cleaning practices across shifts, sites and contractors for consistent outcomes.
• Demonstrate due diligence and defensible compliance during audits, inspections and incident investigations.
• Enhance worker comfort, morale and retention by providing safe, clean and respectful change facilities.

Who is this for?

• Facilities Managers
• WHS Managers
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• Site Supervisors
• Operations Managers
• Cleaning and Environmental Services Supervisors
• Human Resources Managers
• Aged Care and Health Service Managers
• Gym and Recreation Centre Managers
• School and TAFE Business Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Slip, trip and fall hazards from wet or contaminated floors
• Biological hazards from bodily fluids, sweat, soiled clothing and towels
• Transmission of infectious diseases (e.g. skin infections, gastroenteritis, respiratory illnesses)
• Exposure to mould and mildew in poorly ventilated or damp areas
• Odour and air quality issues affecting comfort and wellbeing
• Chemical exposure from incorrect selection, dilution or use of cleaning agents
• Sharps and hazardous waste left in lockers, bins or change areas
• Ergonomic and manual handling risks associated with moving laundry bags, waste and cleaning equipment
• Pest attraction and infestation due to poor waste management and food remnants

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Managers, Cleaners, Contractors, Workers)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Locker Room Design and Minimum Facility Requirements (layout, ventilation, drainage)
• 6.0 Risk Assessment: Hygiene and Safety Hazards in Locker Rooms
• 7.0 Required PPE, Cleaning Chemicals and Equipment
• 8.0 Routine Cleaning Procedures (daily, between-shift, weekly and periodic tasks)
• 9.0 High-Risk Cleaning Procedures (bodily fluids, sharps, blood and other biological spills)
• 10.0 Floor Safety and Wet Area Management (signage, matting, drainage, anti-slip controls)
• 11.0 Waste Management and Laundry Handling (soiled clothing, towels and sanitary waste)
• 12.0 Ventilation, Odour Control and Mould Prevention
• 13.0 Locker and Storage Management (personal items, food, hazardous items)
• 14.0 User Behaviour Guidelines and Communication (signage, inductions, toolbox talks)
• 15.0 Contractor Management and Cleaning Service Specifications
• 16.0 Inspection, Cleaning Logs and Recordkeeping Requirements
• 17.0 Incident Reporting, Response and Corrective Actions
• 18.0 Training, Supervision and Competency Requirements
• 19.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement
• 20.0 Appendices (checklists, sample cleaning schedules, inspection forms, signage templates)

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) – provisions relating to welfare facilities and risk management
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces (for wet and slippery surfaces)
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• AS/NZS 4146: Laundry practice (for handling of soiled garments and towels, where applicable)
• AS/NZS 2243.1: Safety in laboratories – Planning and operational aspects (infection control principles, where health settings apply)
• State and territory public health guidelines on infection prevention and control in workplaces and public facilities