WorkSafe examining safety procedures at waste and recycling sites

WorkSafe Examining Safety Procedures at Waste and Recycling Sites

WorkSafe has commenced a proactive inspection program aimed at addressing safety concerns within waste and recycling facilities in Western Australia. This statewide inspection program forms part of a broader push to strengthen risk management practices across the sector.

The inspection initiative will examine various randomly chosen establishments in both urban and rural areas of the State during the financial year 2024/25.

What Inspectors Will Assess

WorkSafe said inspectors will assess various aspects, including waste treatment, remediation, and services related to material recovery and disposal. Particular attention will be given to plant and equipment management, since much of the machinery used in recycling operations presents hazardous risk if not properly maintained.

Key areas inspectors are expected to focus on include:

• Management of plant and equipment used in sorting, compacting, and processing recyclable materials
• Manual handling procedures where mechanical assistance isn't feasible
• Hazardous substance management, including chemical storage and exposure controls
• Height risk management for workers accessing elevated plant or storage areas
• Traffic management involving heavy equipment and vehicle movement on site

Facilities operating baling equipment, conveyors, and compaction plant face heightened scrutiny given the injuries historically associated with poorly guarded machinery. Effective management of these hazards remains central to reducing incident rates across the waste and recycling industry.

Why the Focus on Plant and Equipment Management?

Waste and recycling sites often combine fixed plant, mobile equipment, and manual handling tasks within compact working areas. This combination raises the likelihood of hazardous interactions between personnel and machinery, particularly where height-related tasks intersect with equipment operation.

Robust management of plant, alongside clear procedures for manual handling and equipment maintenance, helps employers reduce exposure to these overlapping hazards. Organisations seeking practical frameworks for managing such hazards may benefit from reviewing a WHS policy template tailored to their operations.

WorkSafe's Objectives for the Program

According to WorkSafe Commissioner Sally North, this proactive inspection program is designed to help employers in the waste and recycling sector meet their obligations for ensuring health and safety of employees.

"The primary goal of our proactive programs is to provide information and to collaboratively work towards a reduction in work-related injuries and illnesses in the industry sectors we target," Ms North said.

Supporting Safer Waste and Recycling Operations

Beyond inspections, ongoing management of workplace risk requires ongoing commitment from employers, including regular review of equipment condition, manual handling techniques, and hazardous substance controls. Facilities managing recyclable waste streams should ensure documented procedures address plant management, height access, and material handling consistently.

For businesses reviewing broader industry safety trends, our coverage of the NHVR's Code of Practice for waste and recycling offers further context on regulatory expectations for this sector. Employers can also learn from past incidents, such as the case where a worker died at a waste and recycling facility in Sydney, which underscores why proactive risk management matters.

Businesses wanting to benchmark their approach against recognised safety leaders can also review our article on the WorkSafe Awards showcasing top performers in health and safety.

For those wanting to build broader management systems around plant, equipment, and manual handling risk, SafetyDocs' Work Health and Safety Manual provides a structured starting point.

Learn more here.