Product Overview

Summary: This School Cleaning Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, safe and hygienic approach to cleaning classrooms, amenities, playgrounds and shared spaces in Australian schools. It supports WHS compliance, infection control and child-safe practices, helping schools maintain a clean, healthy learning environment while protecting staff, students and visitors.

This School Cleaning Safe Operating Procedure is designed specifically for Australian education environments, where cleanliness is directly linked to infection control, student wellbeing and regulatory compliance. It provides a structured, repeatable system for cleaning classrooms, toilets, staff areas, canteens, playground equipment and high-touch surfaces, with a strong focus on child-safe chemicals, safe work methods and WHS obligations. The procedure recognises the unique challenges of schools, including high-traffic periods, varying age groups, allergy and asthma sensitivities, and the need to work safely around children and young people.

By implementing this SOP, schools and cleaning contractors can clearly define expectations, reduce variability in cleaning standards and show due diligence to parents, staff and regulators. The document sets out when and how each area is to be cleaned, what products and equipment are to be used, and which controls must be in place to manage hazards such as slips, trips, hazardous chemicals, sharps, bodily fluids and infection risks. It also supports compliance with Australian WHS legislation, infection prevention guidance and education sector policies, while making induction and training of new cleaners faster, safer and more consistent.

The SOP is written in practical, plain language, with step‑by‑step instructions, checklists and clear responsibilities. It is suitable for both in‑house cleaning teams and outsourced contractors, and can be easily adapted for primary, secondary, special education and early learning settings across Australia.

Key Benefits

• Ensure a consistent, high standard of cleanliness across all school areas, regardless of which staff member is on shift.
• Reduce the risk of infection transmission by standardising disinfection of high-touch surfaces and bodily fluid clean-up procedures.
• Improve WHS compliance by clearly outlining safe work methods for chemical handling, manual tasks and working around students.
• Minimise slips, trips and falls by specifying safe floor cleaning methods, drying times and exclusion zones.
• Streamline onboarding and training of new cleaning staff and contractors with clear, school-specific instructions and checklists.

Who is this for?

• School Principals
• Business Managers (Schools)
• Facilities and Operations Managers
• Cleaning Supervisors
• Contract Cleaning Providers
• School Cleaners and General Hands
• WHS Coordinators
• Early Learning Centre Directors
• Boarding School Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to hazardous cleaning chemicals (skin, eye and respiratory irritation)
• Inadequate infection control from contact with bodily fluids and contaminated surfaces
• Slips, trips and falls on wet or cluttered floors
• Manual handling injuries from moving furniture, bins and equipment
• Sharps and discarded items in bins, toilets and outdoor areas
• Electrical hazards from powered cleaning equipment and wet environments
• Allergic reactions and asthma triggers from dust, mould and certain cleaning agents
• Psychosocial risks related to working alone or after hours on school grounds

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and School Policies
• 3.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 4.0 Roles and Responsibilities (School Management, Supervisors, Cleaners, Contractors)
• 5.0 Required Training and Competency
• 6.0 Cleaning Equipment, Chemicals and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• 7.0 General Safety Requirements and WHS Risk Controls
• 8.0 Daily Cleaning Procedures – Classrooms and Learning Spaces
• 9.0 Daily Cleaning Procedures – Toilets, Change Rooms and Showers
• 10.0 Cleaning Procedures – Staff Rooms, Offices and Administration Areas
• 11.0 Cleaning Procedures – Specialist Areas (Libraries, Labs, Art Rooms, Workshops, Gyms)
• 12.0 Cleaning Procedures – Canteens, Food Areas and Drinking Fountains
• 13.0 Cleaning Procedures – Outdoor Areas and Playground Equipment
• 14.0 Periodic and Deep Cleaning Schedules (Weekly, Termly, Annually)
• 15.0 Infection Control and Bodily Fluid Spill Response
• 16.0 Chemical Handling, Storage and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Requirements
• 17.0 Waste Management, Recycling and Sharps Disposal
• 18.0 Manual Handling and Use of Cleaning Equipment
• 19.0 Working Safely Around Children and After-Hours Security
• 20.0 Emergency Procedures and Incident Reporting
• 21.0 Inspection, Quality Assurance and Cleaning Checklists
• 22.0 Review, Consultation and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts and Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities: Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 4801:2001 Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still commonly referenced in systems)
• AS/NZS 4146:2000 Laundry practice (for schools with onsite laundering of cleaning cloths and mop heads)
• National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) – Staying Healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services
• State and territory Department of Education cleaning and hygiene guidelines (jurisdiction-specific)