Cleaning and property services

The cleaning and property services industry provides an essential service to the business and community sectors of South Australia. It encompasses a diversity of occupations and work environments, including:

• building cleaning service (except steam cleaning or sand blasting)
• chimney cleaning service
• cleaning services
• crime scene cleaning service
• domestic (household) cleaning service (except carpets, rugs, drapes, curtains or other soft furnishings)
• house cleaning service (except carpets, rugs, drapes, curtains or other soft furnishings)
• office cleaning service
• restaurant vat and cooker cleaning service
• telephone cleaning service
• window cleaning.

Risks to workers

A major challenge for the industry is managing the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare of employees while working at host employers' premises or in isolated areas.

Other risk factors include employees working alone, violence, diverse cultural mixes, manual handling, working with chemicals and slip, trips and falls.