Product Overview

This Scrap Metal Recycling Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective controls for all key scrap metal handling and processing tasks. It is a comprehensive document covering the full workflow of scrap metal recycling operations to support robust WHS compliance on Australian worksites.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe operation of equipment used to compress scrap metals, including guarding, exclusion zones, and lockout/tagout procedures
• Dismantling scrapped trailers using mechanical and hand tools, with controls for crush, cut, and pinch point hazards
• Planning and conducting scrap metal collection from client sites, including traffic management and loading/unloading controls
• Separating non-ferrous metals from ferrous materials using mechanical aids, magnets, and manual handling controls
• Sorting scrap material manually, including safe work postures, sharp edge protection, and appropriate PPE requirements
• Management of mobile plant and vehicles in scrap yards, including spotters, pedestrian segregation, and reversing controls
• Use of cutting equipment (e.g. oxy-cutting, grinders) for size reduction of scrap, including fire and hot work controls
• Manual handling of heavy and awkward scrap items, with techniques to minimise strain, sprain, and crush injuries
• Control of airborne contaminants such as dust, fumes, and vapours generated during scrap processing activities
• Identification, isolation, and safe handling of hazardous or contaminated scrap (e.g. gas cylinders, oils, batteries)
• Housekeeping, storage, and stacking of scrap piles to prevent slips, trips, falls, and collapse of unstable loads
• Emergency response planning for fires, spills, equipment failure, and injuries within scrap metal recycling facilities

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for scrap metal recyclers, metal recovery facilities, demolition and salvage contractors, transport operators handling scrap, and site supervisors overseeing scrap metal recycling activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – Guidance on identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing control measures in scrap metal operations
• Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace – Requirements for safe use, inspection, and maintenance of compactors, shears, forklifts, and other plant
• Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – Controls for lifting, carrying, and handling heavy or awkward scrap materials
• Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work – Risk management for high-noise environments typical of scrap processing yards
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces – Controls for working on and around scrap piles, trailers, and elevated platforms
• Code of Practice: Confined Spaces – Guidance where workers may enter tanks, containers, or enclosed spaces as part of dismantling or scrap recovery
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Fire and Explosions at the Workplace – Controls for hot work, flammable residues, and combustible scrap materials
• Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace – Requirements for handling scrap contaminated with oils, fuels, batteries, or chemical residues
• AS/NZS 4024 Safety of Machinery (series) – Principles for guarding and safe use of machinery and equipment used in scrap metal processing
• AS 2550 Cranes, Hoists and Winches (series) – Safe use of lifting equipment where cranes or hoists are used to move heavy scrap
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017