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Recycling MRF / Sort-Line Operations SWMS

SWMS template for recycling mrf / sort-line operations. Covers Material recovery facility, sort line, balers.. 8-state AU coverage, CIH-reviewed editable DOCX delivered within 24 hours of payment.

⚖️WHS Regulation 2025 & Codes of Practice — legally binding from 1 July 2026 (s26A)
👷Reviewed by certified occupational health and safety professionals
🗺️State-specific variants for all 8 Australian jurisdictions
$79 AUD✓ Instant Download Available

SWMS variants reference your state’s WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.

Manual and mechanical sorting of mixed recyclables on conveyor sort-lines, including baler operation at material recovery facilities. WHS Regulation 2011 requires documented risk controls for conveyor entanglement, sharps exposure, and respirable dust before sort-line work commences in any Australian MRF.

Hazards identified

3 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Conveyor entanglement and crush pointsHIGH

Amputation or fatal crush injury

Sharps and contaminated needles in feedstockHIGH

Lacerations, bloodborne pathogen exposure

Respirable dust and bioaerosolsHIGH

Chronic respiratory disease, infection

Control measures

Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.

  1. 1Isolate and lock out conveyors and balers per AS 4024 before any clearing or maintenance.
  2. 2Issue cut-resistant gloves, P2 respirators, and provide sharps containers at every pick station.
  3. 3Install local exhaust ventilation and enclosed cabs; monitor dust to WES limits quarterly.

Applicable Codes of Practice

AS 4024.1-2019 Safety of Machinery⚖ Legally binding · 1 Jul 2026

Conveyor guarding and isolation requirements for sort-lines

Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant⚖ Legally binding · 1 Jul 2026

Baler and conveyor plant risk management duties

High-Risk Construction Work triggered

14
Work on or near energised plant

Sort-line and baler maintenance involves access to energised conveyors and hydraulic plant.

17
Work in area with artificial extremes

Enclosed MRF environments contain elevated dust, bioaerosol, and noise levels exceeding exposure standards.

Legal consequence

HRCW without compliant SWMS breaches WHS Reg r291; penalties to $30,000.

What you receive

  • Editable DOCX SWMS template, CIH-reviewed
  • State-specific WHS legislation schedule (8 jurisdictions)
  • Hazard register with risk matrix
  • Worker sign-on and review register

Related legislation

  • WHS Act 2011 s19 — Primary duty of care
  • WHS Regulation 2011 Part 3.1 — Managing risks
  • WHS Regulation 2011 r49 — Airborne contaminants
What's in this SWMS

Document details

Regulation
WHS Regulation 2011 r291 — High Risk Construction Work; applicable state WHS Regulations and Codes of Practice.
HRCW Category
Conveyors + sharps + dust
Hazards Identified
6 hazards with controls
Format
Editable DOCX (Microsoft Word)
Author
Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
Delivery
Instant download after payment