Product Overview

Summary: This Window Washing Safe Operating Procedure sets out a safe, consistent approach to cleaning internal and external glazing in Australian workplaces. It focuses on preventing falls, chemical exposure and property damage while helping your team deliver a professional finish that meets WHS obligations and client expectations.

Window washing can appear straightforward, but in a commercial setting it carries significant risk. Slippery surfaces, work at height, fragile glazing, electrical lines, and chemical use all need to be controlled under Australian WHS law. This Window Washing Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step-by-step method for planning and carrying out window cleaning tasks on low-rise and selected high-access areas, whether using ladders, poles, elevated work platforms (EWPs), or rope access contractors. It clearly defines how to assess each job, select the right equipment, manage public interfaces, and clean efficiently without compromising safety.

The SOP is designed for Australian workplaces that need defensible, documented processes—such as commercial offices, retail centres, schools, healthcare facilities, industrial sites and strata properties. It helps businesses demonstrate due diligence by integrating hazard identification, risk controls, PPE requirements, isolation of work zones, and incident response into everyday cleaning operations. By standardising your approach, you reduce the likelihood of falls, strains, chemical splashes, glass breakage and complaints about overspray or streaking, while making onboarding and contractor management faster and more reliable.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of falls, slips and manual handling injuries during internal and external window cleaning.
• Ensure consistent compliance with Australian WHS legislation, relevant Codes of Practice and site-specific requirements.
• Standardise training so new and existing staff follow the same safe, efficient window washing method.
• Protect building occupants, visitors and the public through clear controls for exclusion zones and work near traffic or footpaths.
• Improve service quality and client satisfaction by outlining a repeatable, professional cleaning process that minimises damage and rework.

Who is this for?

• Window Cleaning Technicians
• Facilities Managers
• Commercial Cleaning Supervisors
• Property and Strata Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Operations Managers (Cleaning and Maintenance)
• Construction Site Managers (post-build cleans)
• School and Hospital Maintenance Coordinators
• Council and Government Building Services Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from height when using ladders, platforms or accessing upper-level windows
• Slips and trips from wet floors, hoses and equipment in access ways
• Musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive movements, overreaching and manual handling of buckets, poles and equipment
• Chemical exposure to skin, eyes and respiratory system from detergents and glass cleaners
• Contact with live electrical installations, overhead powerlines or building services
• Falling objects striking people below (tools, squeegees, buckets, glass fragments)
• Glass breakage causing cuts and lacerations
• Exposure to UV radiation and heat stress during outdoor window cleaning
• Interaction with vehicles and mobile plant when working near roads, car parks or loading docks
• Public interface risks, including unauthorised entry into work zones and trip hazards for pedestrians

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Applicable Work Environments
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Pre-Start Planning and Site Risk Assessment (JSEA/SWMS Integration)
• 5.0 Required Tools, Equipment and Cleaning Agents
• 6.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 7.0 Work at Height and Access Equipment Controls (Ladders, EWPs, Roof Access)
• 8.0 Public Safety and Exclusion Zone Setup
• 9.0 Step-by-Step Window Washing Procedure – Internal Areas
• 10.0 Step-by-Step Window Washing Procedure – External Areas and Facades
• 11.0 Safe Use, Dilution and Storage of Cleaning Chemicals
• 12.0 Manual Handling and Ergonomic Techniques (Poles, Buckets and Equipment)
• 13.0 Environmental Controls (Run-off, Overspray and Wastewater Management)
• 14.0 Emergency Procedures (Falls, Chemical Exposure, Glass Breakage)
• 15.0 Post-Task Inspection, Clean-up and Handover
• 16.0 Equipment Maintenance, Inspection and Tagging
• 17.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 18.0 Recordkeeping, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• AS/NZS 1891.4: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices – Selection, use and maintenance
• AS/NZS 1892.1: Portable ladders – Metal
• AS/NZS 1892.2: Portable ladders – Portable ladders – Timber
• AS/NZS 1892.5: Portable ladders – Selection, safe use and care
• AS 2550.10: Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use – Mobile elevating work platforms
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal eye protection
• AS/NZS 2161: Occupational protective gloves