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WHS Management for Waste & Recycling

Manage compactor hazards, biological exposure, fire risks, and manual sorting injuries in waste and recycling operations.

Waste and recycling operations combine standard warehousing hazards with additional risks from biological exposure, sharps and needlestick injuries, fire from lithium-ion battery contamination in waste streams, and entrapment in compactors and balers. Manual sorting lines expose workers to repetitive strain injuries, cuts from broken glass and metal, and biological hazards from contaminated waste. The increasing prevalence of lithium-ion batteries in general waste streams has made fire a critical and growing hazard in waste and recycling facilities. A dedicated WHS management plan ensures your waste and recycling operation addresses these sector-specific hazards alongside standard materials handling risks.

Key Hazards

Entrapment and crush injuries in compactors, balers, and shreddersBiological exposure from contaminated waste and sharps injuriesLithium-ion battery fire and thermal runaway in waste streamsManual handling and repetitive strain from sorting line operationsForklift and loader interaction with pedestrian workersDust and particulate inhalation from waste processing operations

Regulatory Requirements

HRCW Categories

Work near powered mobile plant, hazardous chemicals, hazardous manual tasks

Section 26A Codes (binding 1 July 2026)
Managing Risks of Plant in the WorkplaceHazardous Manual TasksManaging Risks of Hazardous Chemicals

SWMS Required

Waste Compactor →Forklift Operation Warehouse →Manual Handling Warehouse →Loading Dock →

Related Sectors

Distribution CentrePort TerminalFreight Transport

Need Help with Waste & Recycling WHS?

We help waste and recycling operators develop compliant WHS systems covering compactor safety, biological exposure controls, and lithium-ion battery fire management.

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