| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Conduct pre shift inspection | Equipment defects, lighting failures, floor hazards | Inspect balers, conveyors, loader, forklift, and PPE; check floors for spills, debris, or ice |
| Don required PPE | Cuts, dust, chemical exposure | Wear gloves, eye protection, high visibility gear, boots, and respiratory protection if needed |
| Direct traffic flow for customers | Vehicle collisions, pedestrians in unsafe areas | Use cones and signage; designate drop zones; maintain safe separation between vehicles and workers |
| Assist customers unloading materials | Sharp edges, heavy objects, sudden vehicle movement | Stay visible to drivers; stand clear of unloading path; use team lifting when needed |
| Sort materials manually | Cuts from glass and metal, needle sticks, contamination | Inspect materials visually; wear cut resistant gloves; avoid compacting bags by hand; isolate hazardous items |
| Load conveyor or sorting lines | Pinch points, struck by moving belts | Keep hands away from moving parts; do not wear loose clothing; shut down equipment before clearing jams |
| Operate baler or compactor | Crush hazards, hydraulic failures | Follow lockout tagout before maintenance; keep clear of bale chamber; never bypass safety interlocks |
| Transport bales or pallets with forklift | Tipovers, poor visibility, pedestrian hazards | Use trained operators only; sound horn at blind corners; maintain pedestrian exclusion zones |
| Manage glass and sharp recyclables | Lacerations, flying shards | Use heavy gloves, face shield, and controlled handling; sweep glass with proper tools |
| Handle electronics or e waste | Broken components, battery fires, chemical exposure | Place electronics gently; isolate lithium batteries; follow hazardous handling rules |
| Manage cardboard and plastics | Dust inhalation, trip hazards | Maintain clear walkways; use dust masks; stack materials properly to prevent collapse |
| Clean up spills or scattered materials | Slips, chemical exposure | Use tools, not hands; mark wet areas; clean promptly; ventilate if chemical containers rupture |
| Interact with public | Distractions, misunderstandings | Provide clear instructions; maintain safe distance from moving vehicles; use hand signals |
| Operate loader or roll off truck (if applicable) | Striking containers, blind spots | Use trained operators only; maintain slow speeds; use spotter when backing |
| Conduct end of day cleanup | Sharp debris, heavy lifting | Wear full PPE; use proper lifting techniques; dispose of hazardous materials separately |
| Secure facility | Unauthorized access, stored equipment hazards | Lock gates; shut down equipment; store chemicals and batteries safely |
High visibility vest or jacket
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Safety glasses or face shield
Hearing protection near heavy equipment
Dust mask or respirator as needed
Long pants and long sleeves
Always assume bags contain sharp objects.
Maintain clear separation between public drop off areas and equipment operating zones.
Train all employees on hazard recognition for mixed recyclables.
Never allow public inside employee only processing zones.
Keep fire extinguishers readily accessible due to increased battery fire risks.
Establish a documented lockout tagout program for balers and conveyors.
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Solid Waste and Recycling Operations
* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.
Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.
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| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Conduct pre shift inspection | Equipment defects, lighting failures, floor hazards | Inspect balers, conveyors, loader, forklift, and PPE; check floors for spills, debris, or ice |
| Don required PPE | Cuts, dust, chemical exposure | Wear gloves, eye protection, high visibility gear, boots, and respiratory protection if needed |
| Direct traffic flow for customers | Vehicle collisions, pedestrians in unsafe areas | Use cones and signage; designate drop zones; maintain safe separation between vehicles and workers |
| Assist customers unloading materials | Sharp edges, heavy objects, sudden vehicle movement | Stay visible to drivers; stand clear of unloading path; use team lifting when needed |
| Sort materials manually | Cuts from glass and metal, needle sticks, contamination | Inspect materials visually; wear cut resistant gloves; avoid compacting bags by hand; isolate hazardous items |
| Load conveyor or sorting lines | Pinch points, struck by moving belts | Keep hands away from moving parts; do not wear loose clothing; shut down equipment before clearing jams |
| Operate baler or compactor | Crush hazards, hydraulic failures | Follow lockout tagout before maintenance; keep clear of bale chamber; never bypass safety interlocks |
| Transport bales or pallets with forklift | Tipovers, poor visibility, pedestrian hazards | Use trained operators only; sound horn at blind corners; maintain pedestrian exclusion zones |
| Manage glass and sharp recyclables | Lacerations, flying shards | Use heavy gloves, face shield, and controlled handling; sweep glass with proper tools |
| Handle electronics or e waste | Broken components, battery fires, chemical exposure | Place electronics gently; isolate lithium batteries; follow hazardous handling rules |
| Manage cardboard and plastics | Dust inhalation, trip hazards | Maintain clear walkways; use dust masks; stack materials properly to prevent collapse |
| Clean up spills or scattered materials | Slips, chemical exposure | Use tools, not hands; mark wet areas; clean promptly; ventilate if chemical containers rupture |
| Interact with public | Distractions, misunderstandings | Provide clear instructions; maintain safe distance from moving vehicles; use hand signals |
| Operate loader or roll off truck (if applicable) | Striking containers, blind spots | Use trained operators only; maintain slow speeds; use spotter when backing |
| Conduct end of day cleanup | Sharp debris, heavy lifting | Wear full PPE; use proper lifting techniques; dispose of hazardous materials separately |
| Secure facility | Unauthorized access, stored equipment hazards | Lock gates; shut down equipment; store chemicals and batteries safely |
High visibility vest or jacket
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Safety glasses or face shield
Hearing protection near heavy equipment
Dust mask or respirator as needed
Long pants and long sleeves
Always assume bags contain sharp objects.
Maintain clear separation between public drop off areas and equipment operating zones.
Train all employees on hazard recognition for mixed recyclables.
Never allow public inside employee only processing zones.
Keep fire extinguishers readily accessible due to increased battery fire risks.
Establish a documented lockout tagout program for balers and conveyors.