This Colour-Coded Cleaning System SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) shows your cleaners how to use colour-coded cloths, mop heads and buckets to stop cross-contamination between toilets, general areas and food-contact areas. It covers checking the site colour chart, matching chemicals to equipment, cleaning order, wet floor signage, handwashing between zones, and how to store, launder and replace colour-coded items. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Commercial cleaning contractors
Hospitals, aged care and medical centres
Schools and childcare centres
Hotels and accommodation providers
Commercial kitchens and food businesses
Facilities and property managers
Use it to
Train and induct workers in exactly how you expect the task to be done
Keep a clear reference at the machine, in the vehicle or on site
Record competency with the built-in sign-off
Show clients, insurers and auditors your safe work methods are written down
What this SOP covers
Cross-contamination from using the wrong colour item between zones
Skin and eye contact with cleaning chemicals
Breathing in chemical vapours or spray mist in small, poorly ventilated rooms
Chemical reactions from incompatible products or residue on shared equipment
Slips and falls on wet or freshly mopped floors
Dermatitis from repeated wet work
Strain from wringing mops, carrying buckets and repetitive wiping
Infection from contaminated, poorly laundered or worn equipment
What's included
8 pre-operational checks, from reading the site colour chart to inspecting cloths, confirming chemical compatibility and ventilation
A 10-step operating procedure covering colour selection, dilution, cleaning order, zone separation, mop wringing and handwashing
Equipment control covering trolley brakes, segregating used items by colour for laundering and isolating any powered cleaning equipment
7 shutdown, housekeeping and post-operation steps
Emergency actions for wrong-zone use, chemical splashes to skin or eyes and accidental chemical mixing
PPE checklist and a list of related documents
Competency acknowledgement and worker sign-off
Space for your logo, SOP number, version and review dates
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing an SOP from a blank page
Written as clear, numbered steps that workers can follow on the job
Fully editable, so you can match it to your equipment, site and how your team works
The competency sign-off gives you a training record from day one
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, company name, SOP number and dates.
Check it suits your equipment and site, and edit anything you need to.
Train your workers and have them sign the competency acknowledgement.
Need more than one SOP?
This SOP is also included in the Ultimate Cleaning SOP Bundle. At $197 for the whole bundle, it works out much cheaper than buying SOPs one at a time.
Common questions
Does it set the colours for each zone?
Yes, as a general guide. It gives the typical use of red for toilets, blue for general areas and green for food areas, and directs workers to follow your own site colour chart.
Does it cover body fluid or biohazard clean-up?
No. Spills, body fluids and biohazardous material, and the mixing and handling of cleaning chemicals, are covered by separate procedures.
Does it cover floor scrubbers?
No. Powered cleaning equipment such as floor scrubbers is covered by its own plant-specific SOP.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any step, check or hazard, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.
