Product Overview

Summary: This Safe Operating Procedure sets out safe, consistent methods for removing microplastics from water, wastewater, and process streams in Australian workplaces. It balances environmental performance with worker safety, detailing step-by-step techniques, controls, and monitoring requirements to minimise exposure risks while helping your business meet WHS and environmental obligations.

Microplastic contamination is an emerging environmental and reputational risk for Australian organisations involved in water treatment, manufacturing, recycling, and laboratory work. While the primary goal of microplastic removal is environmental protection and regulatory compliance, the techniques involved—such as filtration, centrifugation, chemical flocculation, and sampling—also introduce specific workplace health and safety hazards. This SOP provides a clear, practical framework for carrying out microplastic removal activities in a way that protects workers from exposure, ensures safe plant operation, and supports defensible environmental performance.

The document walks users through the entire process, from planning and risk assessment to equipment setup, operation, sample handling, and waste disposal. It specifies appropriate PPE, engineering controls, and safe work methods for handling microplastic-laden media, chemicals used for separation, and any associated laboratory procedures. By adopting this SOP, businesses can demonstrate due diligence under Australian WHS laws, reduce the likelihood of incidents related to microplastic handling and treatment, and improve the reliability and traceability of their environmental data and treatment outcomes.

Key Benefits

• Ensure microplastic removal activities are conducted in line with Australian WHS and environmental expectations.
• Reduce worker exposure to airborne microplastics, contaminated water, and treatment chemicals.
• Standardise microplastic sampling, filtration, and treatment techniques across sites and shifts.
• Streamline training and onboarding for operators, technicians, and contractors involved in microplastic removal.
• Provide clear documentation to support audits, regulatory inspections, and environmental reporting.

Who is this for?

• Water Treatment Plant Operators
• Environmental Engineers
• Laboratory Technicians
• WHS Managers
• Operations Managers
• Environmental Compliance Officers
• Wastewater Treatment Supervisors
• Recycling Facility Managers
• Industrial Process Engineers
• Local Government Environmental Health Officers

Hazards Addressed

• Inhalation of airborne microplastic particles during sampling, drying, or handling of filters and residues
• Dermal contact with contaminated water, sludge, or concentrated microplastic residues
• Exposure to chemical flocculants, coagulants, and solvents used in microplastic separation processes
• Manual handling injuries from lifting and moving filtration units, centrifuges, and waste containers
• Slips, trips, and falls around wet processing areas, pipework, and laboratory workstations
• Mechanical hazards associated with pumps, centrifuges, screening equipment, and filtration systems
• Biological hazards when microplastics are present in sewage, trade waste, or other contaminated effluents
• Waste management risks from storage, transport, and disposal of microplastic-rich residues and used filters

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology (including microplastics classifications)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and References
• 5.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for Microplastic Removal Activities
• 6.0 Required Competencies, Training and Authorisation
• 7.0 Plant, Equipment and Materials (filters, screens, centrifuges, chemicals)
• 8.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 9.0 Pre-Start Checks and Area Preparation
• 10.0 Microplastic Sampling and Handling Procedures
• 11.0 Filtration, Screening and Separation Techniques – Step-by-Step Process
• 12.0 Chemical Treatment (Flocculation/Coagulation) – Safe Use and Controls
• 13.0 Laboratory Analysis Support Procedures (where applicable)
• 14.0 Control Measures for Airborne and Surface Contamination
• 15.0 Waste Management and Disposal of Microplastic Residues
• 16.0 Environmental Protection Measures and Spill Contingencies
• 17.0 Monitoring, Inspection and Quality Control of Microplastic Removal Performance
• 18.0 Emergency Procedures and Incident Response
• 19.0 Cleaning, Decontamination and Equipment Maintenance
• 20.0 Recordkeeping, Reporting and Continuous Improvement
• 21.0 Document Review and Revision History

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS legislation
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and state/territory equivalents
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals: Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 4801:2001 Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still widely referenced)
• ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems
• AS/NZS 2243 series: Safety in laboratories (where laboratory-based microplastic analysis is undertaken)
• AS/NZS 1715:2009 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 1319:1994 Safety signs for the occupational environment