Product Overview

This Builders Clean and Construction Cleaning SWMS is a site-specific safety planning document designed to identify hazards and implement controls for cleaning activities on building and construction projects. It provides a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to managing risks across multiple phases of builders clean and construction cleaning to support strong WHS compliance on Australian worksites.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe planning and execution of construction site amenities cleaning, including lunchrooms, offices, washrooms and change areas
• Hygienic cleaning, disinfection and restocking of construction site toilets and port-a-loos, including waste handling and transport
• Heavy duty construction cleaning of dust, debris, offcuts and residues during and after building works
• Final building clean before client handover, including detailed internal and external cleaning at completion stage
• Post-renovation cleanup, including management of fine dust, sharp offcuts, adhesives and coatings
• Event aftercare cleaning on or adjacent to construction sites, including litter collection, spill response and crowd-related waste
• Post-event clean-up activities, including segregation and removal of general, recyclable and hazardous wastes
• Selection and safe use of cleaning chemicals, detergents and disinfectants, including labelling, decanting and storage
• Operation of cleaning equipment such as vacuums, scrubbers, polishers, pressure washers and extension tools
• Manual handling of rubbish bags, construction waste, cleaning equipment and supplies to minimise sprains and strains
• Working around active construction activities, plant and vehicles, including traffic management and exclusion zones
• Use of ladders and step platforms for high dusting, window cleaning and access to elevated surfaces
• Slips, trips and falls prevention when working on wet floors, uneven ground, stairs and cluttered work areas
• Dust control measures, including use of M- and H-class vacuums, damping down and respiratory protection
• Incident response, including managing chemical spills, exposure to biological contaminants and sharps

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for commercial and domestic cleaning contractors, builders and construction companies, facility managers, event cleaning crews, and site supervisors responsible for builders clean and construction 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 amenities, hygiene standards and cleaning of workplace facilities
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing controls for cleaning tasks
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice: Requirements for managing risks from lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling during cleaning and waste handling
• Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice: Controls for selection, use, storage and disposal of cleaning chemicals
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Falls in Housing Construction: Principles applied where cleaning tasks involve work on stairs, edges and low-level heights
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment: Guidance for respiratory protection where dusts, mists or vapours are present during cleaning
• AS/NZS 2161: Occupational protective gloves: Recommendations for hand protection when handling chemicals, waste and sharp materials