Product Overview

This Exterior Cleaning Pressure Washing and Graffiti SWMS is a comprehensive Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement controls for exterior cleaning and graffiti removal activities. It provides end-to-end coverage for pressure washing, sweeping, chemical use, and ice-blasting, helping businesses maintain strong WHS compliance and manage High Risk Construction Work obligations on Australian worksites.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Building façade cleaning using pressure washers, extension lances, and access equipment
• Safe chimney cleaning and soot removal on domestic and commercial structures
• Cleaning rooftops, including managing work at height, fragile surfaces, and roof access systems
• Footpath and driveway sweeping and washing to minimise slips, trips, and public interface risks
• Graffiti removal from walls, fences, and structures using pressure washing and manual methods
• Manoeuvring and operating ice-blasting machinery, including noise, vibration, and flying debris controls
• Parking lot sweeping and pressure cleaning in open and multi-level car parks
• Pavement cleaning around commercial, industrial, and residential premises
• Removal of graffiti with harsh substances, including safe chemical handling and storage
• Removing graffiti from sensitive or coated surfaces without causing structural or environmental damage
• Underground parking cleaning, including ventilation, lighting, vehicle movement, and traffic control
• Selection and use of appropriate nozzles, pressures, and detergents for different surfaces
• Management of wastewater, run-off, and overspray to protect drains and the environment
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for high-pressure water, chemicals, and airborne contaminants
• Site set-up, barricading, signage, and exclusion zones to protect workers, pedestrians, and vehicles

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for exterior cleaning contractors, graffiti removal specialists, facilities maintenance teams, pressure washing businesses, and site supervisors coordinating building façade, pavement, and car park cleaning activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice: Guidance on ventilation, lighting, amenities, and safe access during cleaning operations
• Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice: Requirements for safe use, storage, and disposal of graffiti removal chemicals and detergents
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for hazard identification, risk assessment, and control implementation for exterior cleaning tasks
• Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work Code of Practice: Controls for noise exposure from pressure washers, sweepers, and ice-blasting equipment
• Safe Work Australia – Guide for Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces: Guidance for rooftop, façade, and elevated work during exterior cleaning
• Safe Work Australia – Guide for Working in Confined Spaces: Applicable to underground and enclosed car park cleaning where confined space hazards may exist
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace: Requirements for first aid arrangements for high-pressure water and chemical exposure risks