Cleaning SWMS and WHS templates

Safety documents for cleaning work in Queensland

Cleaning crews deal with chemicals, wet floors, repetitive manual tasks, pressure equipment and, on commercial sites, work at height and out-of-hours shifts. The SWMS rule (s 299) applies to high risk construction work, so everyday cleaning is not covered by it, but you must still manage the risks, and a written risk assessment and safe work procedures are a practical way to do that. If the cleaning forms part of construction work (s 289) and involves a risk of falling more than 2 m (s 291(a)), work in or near a confined space (s 291(f)) or work on or near energised electrical installations or services (s 291(k)), a SWMS is needed.

Rules that come up in cleaning work

• Chemicals: keep a register of the hazardous chemicals you use, handle or store, with the current safety data sheet for each, readily accessible to the workers using them (s 346), and manage the risks (s 351).
• Falls: at any workplace, the risk of a fall reasonably likely to cause injury must be managed. If it cannot be eliminated, it must be minimised, with a fall prevention device such as edge protection or a working platform where reasonably practicable (ss 78 and 79).
• Working alone: work isolated from the assistance of other people because of location, time or the nature of the work is remote or isolated work, and you must provide a system of work that includes effective communication (s 48). Lone and after-hours cleaning can fall within this.

Templates for cleaning work

• Water Blaster SWMS: for pressure and high-pressure washing
• Hazardous Chemical or Substance SWMS: for cleaning chemicals and solvents
• Manual Handling SWMS: for lifting, carrying and repetitive tasks
• Elevated Work Platform SWMS: for facade and high-level cleaning
• Electrical Equipment Register: to track leads and electrical equipment
• Wet and Dry Vacuum SWMS: for industrial wet and dry vacuums

Every template is an editable Word or Excel file you can brand with your logo, and you download it straight after checkout. Once filled in for your job, the documents help you meet your duties. Related reading: safety data sheets and the hazardous chemicals register and 8 tips for pressure washing safely. This is general information, not legal advice.