This Needle and Sharps Handling (Cleaning Work) SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled for finding, retrieving, containing and disposing of discarded needles and other sharps during cleaning work. It covers 26 activities, from assessing the area before cleaning to PPE removal, reporting and needlestick emergency response, with the hazards, control measures and risk ratings before and after controls for each. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Commercial and contract cleaning companies
Cleaners of public toilets, car parks and stairwells
Council and park maintenance crews
Strata, property and facilities cleaners
Hotel and accommodation housekeeping teams
A SWMS isn't only for construction. Plenty of cleaning businesses use one as the written risk assessment for a task, the same way others use a JSA or Safe Work Procedure.
Use it to
Show clients, insurers and auditors how you manage the risks
Apply for tenders, contracts and supplier panels
Get through prequalification with Avetta, Cm3 and other contractor portals
Induct new workers and train them in the task
What this SWMS covers
Assessing the area and checking the sharps kit and container before work
PPE, hepatitis B and tetanus vaccination status and fitness for work
Inspecting and locating sharps in poor light and hidden places
Retrieving needles with tongs and handling broken glass and blades
Sharps that are embedded or out of reach, without forcing a retrieval
Emptying bins and cleaning toilets, cubicles and sanitary units
Handling linen, bedding and clothing that may hide sharps
Vacuuming, sweeping and cleaning stairwells, car parks and grounds
Disinfecting after a sharp is removed and managing wet floors
Sealing, transporting and disposing of sharps containers and contaminated waste
Working alone and encountering a person who is injecting or aggressive
Emergency response to a needlestick injury or blood and body fluid exposure
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 26 work activities
Risk ratings before and after controls, with a 5x5 risk matrix and the hierarchy of controls
PPE requirements checklist and high risk construction work checklist
Plant and equipment list, materials, maintenance checks and the training each worker needs
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS/NZS 23907 for sharps containers and AS 3816 for clinical and related wastes
Sharps handling and blood-borne virus awareness training, plus vaccination offered at no cost to workers
Site specific hazards section for anything unique to your job
Worker sign-off sheet and worker consultation record
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing a SWMS from a blank page
Covers the most common hazards and control measures for this work, ready to use out of the box
Fully editable, so you can add, remove or change anything to suit your site and how your team works
Helps your business stay compliant, with risk ratings, worker sign-off and consultation records already set up
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, ABN, project and site details.
Check it suits your site and task, edit anything you need to, and consult your workers before you finalise it.
Brief your team and collect signatures.
Common questions
Do I need a SWMS for needle and sharps handling in cleaning work?
No. Retrieving sharps during cleaning isn't high risk construction work, so a SWMS isn't a legal requirement. You still have to manage the risks, including needlestick injury and blood-borne virus exposure, and a SWMS is a practical way to record how. Clients, insurers and prequalification portals often ask for one.
Does it cover what to do after a needlestick?
Yes. It covers the immediate response to a needlestick, cut or blood splash to the eyes, mouth or broken skin so the worker doesn't miss the window for post-exposure treatment, plus reporting and the psychological impact of waiting on test results.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any hazard, control or rating, 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.
