NHVR’s Code of Practice aims to improve safety in the waste and recycling industry

NHVR's Code of Practice Aims to Improve Safety in the Waste and Recycling Industry

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has approved the Waste and Recycling Industry Code of Practice to enhance safety standards within the waste and recycling sector, as well as for companies that use these services. This code of practice sets out clear compliance expectations for operators managing heavy vehicle work across waste collection and disposal operations.

Purpose of the Waste and Recycling Code

Sponsored by the Waste and Recycling Industry Association of Queensland, the code has been developed to help the waste and recycling industry and related businesses meet safety obligations. It provides a comprehensive guide covering hazard management, plant operation, and vehicle standards relevant to daily waste and recycling work.

NHVR Chief of Safety and Productivity David Hourigan explained that the code, also referred to as the Waste & Recycling Code (WRC), recognises dangers and suggests efficient, feasible measures to manage risks that parties in the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) can adopt to reduce or eliminate risk.

"Waste and recycling transport is an intrinsically hazardous operational environment, and to ensure all operations are safe, these hazards must be understood and controlled," Mr Hourigan said.

Why Risk Management Matters in Waste and Recycling Operations

Effective risk management underpins every aspect of this national code. Waste and recycling businesses rely on structured management systems to identify hazards linked to plant, equipment, and vehicle movements across sites.

Strong management practices reduce incidents involving mobile plant, reversing vehicles, and manual handling tasks common within recycling facilities. Robust health and safety management also supports compliance with broader workplace obligations, similar to principles outlined in the Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice.

Key areas addressed by the code's management framework include:

• Plant and equipment safety during loading and unloading
• Traffic management around waste transfer stations
• Chain of Responsibility obligations for transport operators
• Health risks associated with hazardous waste handling

Supporting Compliance Across the Industry

This registered industry code gives operators practical resources to strengthen compliance with national heavy vehicle standards. It also complements existing safety resources businesses may already use for plant management and workplace health programs.

Waste and recycling employers should review their current management systems against the code's recommendations to confirm access to appropriate controls, equipment, and health protections for workers involved in daily operations.

For related guidance on managing workplace hazards across other high-risk sectors, see our overview of the construction industry safety program and our resource on workplace health and safety in the cleaning industry.

Read more here.