Product Overview

Summary: This Recycling Facility Fire Safety Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps to prevent, detect and respond to fires in high‑risk recycling operations. It is tailored to Australian recycling plants handling paper, plastics, metals, e‑waste and organics, helping you control combustible loads, manage hot works and battery risks, and meet your WHS duties with confidence.

Recycling facilities face a unique fire risk profile: large volumes of combustible materials, dust accumulation, lithium-ion batteries hidden in waste streams, mobile plant movements, and frequent hot works all create a volatile environment. This Recycling Facility Fire Safety Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step-by-step approach to managing these risks, from pre-start inspections and housekeeping through to isolation of ignition sources, hot works controls, and emergency response actions. It translates Australian WHS and fire safety requirements into practical instructions that workers can follow on the floor, not just in the office.

The SOP helps facilities demonstrate due diligence by documenting how fire hazards are identified, controlled and monitored in day-to-day operations. It supports training, toolbox talks and contractor inductions, and aligns with Australian Standards and fire authority expectations for recycling and waste management sites. By standardising your fire safety practices across shifts and locations, this procedure reduces the likelihood of fires starting, limits the spread and impact of any incident, and protects your people, plant, and the continuity of your business.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the likelihood of fires caused by combustible stockpiles, hot works, electrical faults and battery failures.
• Ensure a consistent, site-wide approach to fire prevention, detection, response and evacuation across all shifts.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation, fire regulations and insurer expectations for high‑risk sites.
• Improve worker competence through clear, task-focused guidance for operators, supervisors and maintenance teams.
• Minimise downtime, asset damage and environmental impact through rapid, coordinated emergency response procedures.

Who is this for?

• Recycling Facility Managers
• WHS Managers and HSE Advisors
• Operations Managers
• Site Supervisors and Team Leaders
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Fire Wardens and Emergency Response Team Members
• Plant and Mobile Equipment Operators
• Contractors and Hot Works Trades
• Compliance and Risk Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Combustible stockpiles of paper, cardboard, plastics and textiles
• Ignition of flammable vapours and gases from contaminated recyclables
• Thermal runaway and fire from lithium-ion and other batteries in waste streams
• Hot works ignition sources (welding, cutting, grinding) near combustible materials
• Overheating of conveyors, shredders, balers and compactors
• Electrical faults in plant, switchboards and portable equipment
• Dust accumulation and dust explosion potential in enclosed areas
• Mobile plant fires (loaders, forklifts, excavators, trucks)
• Blocked or inaccessible fire exits, hydrants and extinguishers
• Delayed emergency response due to unclear roles or communication failures
• Smoke inhalation and burns to workers and contractors
• Secondary incidents during evacuation, such as slips, trips and falls

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Officers, Supervisors, Workers, Contractors, Fire Wardens)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Site Fire Risk Profile and Typical Fire Scenarios
• 6.0 Fire Prevention Controls for Stockpiles and Storage Areas
• 7.0 Hot Works Management and Permit-to-Work Requirements
• 8.0 Battery and Hazardous Materials Handling Controls
• 9.0 Housekeeping, Waste Segregation and Dust Control Requirements
• 10.0 Plant and Equipment Fire Safety (Conveyors, Shredders, Balers, Mobile Plant)
• 11.0 Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment
• 12.0 Fire Detection, Alarm and Communication Procedures
• 13.0 Initial Fire Response – Use of Extinguishers, Hydrants and Fire Blankets
• 14.0 Evacuation Procedures, Assembly Areas and Headcounts
• 15.0 Emergency Roles: Chief Warden, Area Wardens and First Responders
• 16.0 Interaction with External Emergency Services (Fire and Rescue, EPA, Regulators)
• 17.0 Training, Induction and Competency Requirements
• 18.0 Incident Reporting, Investigation and Corrective Actions
• 19.0 Recordkeeping and Document Control
• 20.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of Fire Safety Procedures

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and relevant state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and relevant state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
• AS 3745: Planning for emergencies in facilities
• AS 1851: Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment
• AS 1670.1: Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems – System design, installation and commissioning
• AS 2419.1: Fire hydrant installations – System design, installation and commissioning
• AS 2444: Portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets – Selection and location
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites (applicable to temporary works and maintenance)
• Relevant state and territory fire and emergency services guidelines for waste and recycling facilities