Product Overview

Summary: This Soap and Detergent Handling Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps for safely storing, decanting, mixing and using cleaning chemicals in Australian workplaces. It helps you control exposure to hazardous substances, prevent spills and accidental mixing, and meet your WHS obligations while maintaining high hygiene and cleaning standards.

Soap and detergent products are used in almost every workplace, from offices and schools to hospitals, food production facilities and industrial sites. While many of these products seem low-risk, concentrated detergents, sanitisers and degreasers can cause chemical burns, respiratory irritation, allergic reactions and serious eye injuries if they are not handled correctly. This Soap and Detergent Handling Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step-by-step approach that covers safe storage, labelling, decanting, dilution, use, and disposal of a wide range of cleaning chemicals used in Australian workplaces.

The SOP is designed to help organisations turn scattered, informal cleaning practices into a consistent, defensible system that aligns with WHS legislation and chemical safety requirements. It addresses common pain points such as unlabelled spray bottles, incompatible products being mixed, poor ventilation when using strong cleaners, and staff not understanding Safety Data Sheets (SDS). By implementing this procedure, you reduce the likelihood of chemical exposure incidents, protect vulnerable workers such as young workers and contractors, and demonstrate due diligence in managing hazardous chemicals in line with Australian standards and regulator expectations.

Key Benefits

• Ensure safe handling, storage and use of soaps, detergents and cleaning chemicals across all work areas.
• Reduce the risk of skin, eye and respiratory injuries caused by concentrated or misused cleaning products.
• Standardise training for cleaners, contractors and general staff so everyone follows the same safe steps.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS requirements for hazardous chemicals and duty of care.
• Minimise product wastage, cross-contamination and downtime associated with spills, decanting errors and incorrect dilution.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Safety Officers
• Facility Managers
• Cleaning and Housekeeping Supervisors
• Hospitality and Accommodation Managers
• Aged Care and Healthcare Managers
• School Business Managers
• Manufacturing and Warehouse Supervisors
• Food Production and Food Service Managers
• Laboratory and Technical Services Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Skin irritation, dermatitis and chemical burns from contact with concentrated detergents and sanitisers
• Eye injuries from splashes during pouring, decanting or spraying
• Respiratory irritation from vapours, aerosols or mists generated during use in poorly ventilated areas
• Allergic reactions and sensitisation to certain surfactants, fragrances or preservatives
• Slip hazards from spilled or over-applied soaps and detergents on floors and work surfaces
• Chemical exposure due to incorrect or missing labels on secondary containers and spray bottles
• Adverse reactions from mixing incompatible products (e.g. chlorine-based cleaners with acids or ammonia)
• Environmental contamination from incorrect disposal of concentrated products or bulk containers
• Manual handling injuries associated with moving and decanting heavy drums or bulk containers

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Types of Soaps and Detergents
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for Cleaning Chemicals
• 6.0 Storage, Segregation and Labelling Requirements
• 7.0 Handling, Decanting and Dilution Procedures
• 8.0 Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Hygiene Practices
• 9.0 Safe Use in Different Work Environments (Kitchens, Bathrooms, Clinical Areas, Industrial Areas)
• 10.0 Ventilation and Control Measures for Sprays, Mists and Vapours
• 11.0 Spill Management, Incident Response and First Aid
• 12.0 Waste Management and Environmental Considerations
• 13.0 Training, Induction and Competency Requirements
• 14.0 Contractor and Visitor Management for Cleaning Activities
• 15.0 Document Control, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) – Hazardous Chemicals provisions
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• AS 1940: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids (where flammable cleaning solvents are used)
• AS/NZS 2243.10: Safety in laboratories – Storage of chemicals (for laboratory and education settings)
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 2161: Occupational protective gloves – Selection, use and maintenance