Product Overview

Summary: This Sanitisation and Disinfection Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, evidence-based process for cleaning and disinfecting workplaces to control infection risks. It helps Australian businesses protect workers, visitors, and customers from harmful pathogens while demonstrating robust WHS and public health compliance.

This Sanitisation and Disinfection Safe Operating Procedure sets out a consistent, defensible approach to cleaning and disinfection across your workplace. It defines what to clean, how often, with which products, and using what methods, so your team can control infection risks from viruses, bacteria, fungi and other pathogens. The procedure aligns with Australian WHS obligations and public health guidance, addressing routine cleaning, outbreak response, and high-touch surface management in a way that is practical for real-world operations.

For businesses, inconsistent or poorly documented cleaning practices can expose workers and the public to preventable illness, increase absenteeism, and leave the organisation vulnerable to regulatory scrutiny or reputational damage. This SOP solves those problems by turning complex infection control expectations into clear, step-by-step instructions that cleaners and staff can actually follow. It clarifies responsibilities between management, contractors and employees, standardises the selection and safe use of disinfectants, and embeds verification processes so you can demonstrate that your sanitisation program is not only planned, but implemented and monitored. The result is a safer, more hygienic workplace and a clear paper trail that supports your duty of care.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of infection transmission by standardising cleaning and disinfection practices across the workplace.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS duties and public health expectations for hygiene and infection control.
• Clarify roles, responsibilities and cleaning frequencies for staff, contractors and supervisors.
• Improve the safe selection, handling and storage of cleaning and disinfectant chemicals.
• Provide auditable records and checklists that support inspections, accreditation and client assurance.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Infection Control Leads
• Practice Managers (Medical, Dental, Allied Health)
• Aged Care Facility Managers
• Childcare Centre Directors
• Cleaning Supervisors
• Facilities and Property Managers
• Hospitality Venue Managers
• Retail Store Managers
• School Business Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to infectious agents (viruses, bacteria, fungi) on contaminated surfaces
• Cross-contamination between work areas, equipment and personnel
• Chemical exposure from incorrect use of disinfectants and cleaning agents
• Skin and eye irritation from splashes and aerosols during cleaning
• Respiratory irritation from vapours, mists and strong cleaning products
• Manual handling injuries from moving equipment, bins and cleaning supplies
• Slip hazards from wet floors during and after cleaning activities

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions (Cleaning, Sanitising, Disinfecting, High-touch Surfaces)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Guidelines
• 5.0 Risk Assessment – Infection and Chemical Hazards
• 6.0 Required PPE, Equipment and Cleaning Products
• 7.0 Product Selection, Dilution and Contact Times
• 8.0 General Sanitisation and Disinfection Principles
• 9.0 Routine Cleaning and Disinfection Schedule by Area Type
• 10.0 High-touch Surface Management Procedure
• 11.0 Outbreak or Suspected Case Response Cleaning Procedure
• 12.0 Waste Handling, Linen Management and Disposal
• 13.0 Safe Handling, Storage and Labelling of Chemicals
• 14.0 Ventilation and Controls for Aerosol-generating Tasks
• 15.0 Step-by-Step Cleaning and Disinfection Procedure
• 16.0 Decontamination of Tools, Equipment and Shared Devices
• 17.0 Spill Management and Body Fluid Clean-up Procedure
• 18.0 Training, Induction and Competency Requirements
• 19.0 Inspection, Monitoring and Cleaning Verification
• 20.0 Recordkeeping, Logs and Checklists
• 21.0 Incident Reporting, Non-conformances and Corrective Actions
• 22.0 Review, Continuous Improvement and Document Control

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS legislation
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (NHMRC)
• AS/NZS 4815: Office-based health care facilities – Reprocessing of reusable medical and surgical instruments and equipment, and maintenance of the associated environment (where applicable)
• AS/NZS 4146: Laundry practices (for workplaces handling contaminated linen)
• Safe Work Australia – Guidance on Cleaning and Disinfection for COVID-19 (as contextual reference)