Product Overview

Summary: This Mould Remediation Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, compliant framework for safely identifying, containing and removing mould in Australian workplaces. It helps organisations manage health risks, protect building assets, and demonstrate due diligence under WHS laws when dealing with water damage and microbial contamination.

Uncontrolled mould growth is not just a cosmetic issue – it is a recognised health and safety risk that can trigger respiratory illness, allergic reactions and long-term damage to building materials. Australian workplaces are particularly vulnerable following storms, flooding, plumbing failures and high humidity events. This Mould Remediation Safe Operating Procedure establishes a structured, defensible approach to assessing contamination, implementing controls, and carrying out remediation in line with current Australian WHS expectations and industry best practice.

The SOP guides your team through every stage of the process: from initial inspection and moisture mapping, risk assessment and classification of affected areas, through to containment, safe removal methods, cleaning, drying, and post-remediation verification. It clarifies responsibilities between PCBU, contractors and workers, and embeds key controls such as appropriate PPE, engineering controls (e.g. negative air), decontamination procedures and waste management. By standardising how mould incidents are handled, this document helps you minimise disruption to operations, reduce the likelihood of health complaints and workers’ compensation claims, protect sensitive occupants (such as children, patients and elderly residents), and maintain compliance with your duty of care under Australian WHS legislation.

Key Benefits

• Ensure a consistent, best-practice method for assessing and remediating mould across all sites.
• Reduce health risks to workers, contractors and occupants from airborne spores and microbial contaminants.
• Demonstrate WHS due diligence and support compliance with Australian workplace health and safety legislation.
• Minimise downtime, business disruption and costly structural damage through early, controlled intervention.
• Standardise contractor expectations, documentation and verification requirements for mould remediation works.

Who is this for?

• Facilities Managers
• Property Managers
• WHS Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Restoration and Remediation Technicians
• Cleaning and Maintenance Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• Infection Prevention and Control Coordinators
• Aged Care and Healthcare Facility Managers
• School Business Managers and Principals

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to airborne mould spores and microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs)
• Exacerbation of asthma, allergies and other respiratory conditions
• Skin and eye irritation from contact with mould-contaminated materials or cleaning agents
• Electrical hazards associated with water ingress and use of drying equipment
• Slip, trip and fall risks due to wet surfaces, hoses and remediation equipment
• Manual handling injuries from removing saturated building materials and contents
• Cross-contamination of clean areas via uncontrolled movement of people, tools and waste
• Use of chemical agents and disinfectants without appropriate controls
• Biological contamination in HVAC systems and concealed spaces

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Classification of Mould Contamination
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Consultation Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Guidance
• 5.0 Pre-Remediation Assessment and Risk Evaluation
• 6.0 Moisture Source Identification and Control
• 7.0 Area Classification, Zoning and Access Controls
• 8.0 Required Competencies, Training and Induction
• 9.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 10.0 Containment, Ventilation and Negative Air Set-up
• 11.0 Safe Work Methods for Removal of Porous and Non-Porous Materials
• 12.0 Cleaning, HEPA Vacuuming and Disinfection Procedures
• 13.0 Use of Drying Equipment and Environmental Monitoring
• 14.0 Decontamination Procedures for Workers, Tools and Equipment
• 15.0 Waste Handling, Packaging, Labelling and Disposal
• 16.0 Protection of Occupants, Sensitive Populations and Adjacent Areas
• 17.0 Post-Remediation Verification, Clearance and Documentation
• 18.0 Incident Reporting, Health Concerns and Escalation Process
• 19.0 Recordkeeping, Contractor Management and Audit Trail
• 20.0 Review, Continuous Improvement and SOP Revision History

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• 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
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice (where chemical agents are used)
• AS/NZS 3666.2: Air-handling and water systems of buildings – Microbial control – Operation and maintenance
• AS 1851: Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment (for considerations around affected fire systems and access)
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1716: Respiratory protective devices