Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out clear, practical requirements for keeping offshore accommodation areas safe, clean and compliant with Australian WHS expectations. It standardises how cabins, mess areas, galley spaces, recreation rooms and shared amenities are maintained, reducing risk and supporting the wellbeing and productivity of your offshore workforce.

Offshore accommodation environments are high-density, 24/7 living and working spaces where poor housekeeping can quickly escalate into serious safety incidents, hygiene issues and reduced morale. This Offshore Accommodation Safety and Housekeeping SOP provides a clear, enforceable framework for how living quarters, mess rooms, galleys, laundries, recreation areas and shared amenities are to be set up, cleaned, inspected and maintained on offshore platforms, FPSOs, drilling rigs and support vessels operating in Australian waters.

The procedure translates WHS and maritime safety expectations into day-to-day tasks for supervisors, housekeeping teams and all personnel on board. It addresses fire loading from soft furnishings and personal items, slips and trips in wet or confined areas, biological hazards from poor sanitation, and the unique challenges of cleaning and waste management in a remote, salt-laden, constantly moving environment. By implementing this SOP, operators can demonstrate due diligence, reduce non-conformances during audits, and provide a safer, more comfortable living environment that supports fatigue management and mental health for offshore crews.

Designed specifically for the Australian regulatory context, this SOP supports compliance with WHS legislation, offshore petroleum safety regulations and relevant marine standards. It provides structured checklists, cleaning frequencies, isolation and tagging requirements for defective accommodation equipment, and clear expectations for personal housekeeping. The result is a consistent, auditable approach to offshore accommodation safety that contractors and operators can apply across multiple assets and workforces.

Key Benefits

• Ensure offshore accommodation areas are managed in line with Australian WHS and offshore petroleum safety requirements.
• Reduce slips, trips, falls, fire risks and hygiene-related illnesses through disciplined housekeeping and inspection routines.
• Standardise expectations for housekeeping across different crews, shifts, contractors and assets.
• Demonstrate due diligence during regulator, client and internal HSE audits with clear, documented procedures and records.
• Support worker wellbeing, fatigue management and retention by maintaining clean, orderly and safe living conditions offshore.

Who is this for?

• Offshore Installation Managers (OIMs)
• Rig Managers
• Offshore Facility Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• HSE Offshore Coordinators
• Camp Bosses and Accommodation Supervisors
• Offshore Catering and Housekeeping Contractors
• Marine Superintendents
• Offshore Maintenance Supervisors
• Emergency Response Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Slips, trips and falls in wet, cluttered or uneven accommodation and galley areas
• Fire risks from accumulated waste, overloaded power outlets and obstructed escape routes
• Biological hazards from poor sanitation, food waste and inadequate cleaning of shared facilities
• Pest infestations arising from improper food storage and waste handling
• Ergonomic and manual handling injuries during cleaning, bunk making and linen handling
• Exposure to cleaning chemicals and aerosols in confined or poorly ventilated spaces
• Blocked or inaccessible emergency exits and escape routes in living quarters
• Reduced emergency response effectiveness due to poorly maintained muster points and signage
• Psychosocial impacts associated with unclean, overcrowded or poorly maintained living spaces

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Offshore Context
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Regulatory and Standards Compliance
• 5.0 Accommodation Layout, Fire Safety and Egress Requirements
• 6.0 General Housekeeping Principles for Offshore Facilities
• 7.0 Cleaning Schedules and Frequency Matrix (Cabins, Mess, Galley, Amenities, Recreation Areas)
• 8.0 Chemical Safety, PPE and Safe Use of Cleaning Agents
• 9.0 Waste Management, Segregation and Storage in Offshore Accommodation
• 10.0 Laundry, Linen Handling and Infection Control Measures
• 11.0 Inspection Checklists and Routine Housekeeping Audits
• 12.0 Management of Defective Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment (Tag-out and Reporting)
• 13.0 Personal Housekeeping Expectations and Behavioural Standards
• 14.0 Slips, Trips and Falls Prevention in Accommodation and Galley Areas
• 15.0 Fire Load Management, Hot Surfaces and Electrical Safety in Cabins
• 16.0 Ventilation, Indoor Air Quality and Odour Control
• 17.0 Pest Control and Food Storage Requirements for Living Quarters
• 18.0 Emergency Preparedness in Accommodation Areas (Muster Points, Signage, Lighting)
• 19.0 Training, Induction and Toolbox Talks for Housekeeping and Accommodation Safety
• 20.0 Records, Reporting, Corrective Actions and Continuous Improvement
• 21.0 Review, Consultation and Document Control

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth)
• Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Safety) Regulations 2009 (Cth)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• AS/NZS 4801:2001 Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still commonly referenced)
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems
• Marine Order 21 (Safety and emergency arrangements) – Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)
• National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) – Accommodation and personal safety provisions, where applicable