Recycling and Materials Recovery Facility Safety Checklist
This checklist ensures materials recovery facility (MRF) operations comply with OSHA 29 CFR 1910 General Industry standards, EPA RCRA solid waste management regulations, and SWANA (Solid Waste Association of North America) MRF safety guidelines. Designed for facility safety managers and operations supervisors.
- Industry: Waste Management / Environmental Services
- Frequency: Daily
- Estimated Time: 25-30 minutes
- Role: Facility Safety Manager / Operations Supervisor
- Total Items: 21
- Compliance: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 Lockout/Tagout for Sorting Equipment, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.136 Foot Protection (recycling sort lines), EPA 40 CFR Part 257 Criteria for Classification of Solid Waste, SWANA Applied Solid Waste Management Materials Recovery Facility Safety
Sort Line and Conveyor Safety
Sorting conveyor and machinery safety.
- All conveyor pinch points, nip points, and rollers guarded?
- Emergency stop cords/buttons accessible at all points along sort line?
- LOTO procedures posted at all equipment requiring maintenance entry?
- Sort line not overloaded beyond designed throughput capacity?
Fire Prevention
Recycling facility fire risk management.
- Lithium battery detection procedures in place (thermal runaway risk from e-waste)?
- No propane tanks, paint cans, or pressurized vessels in recycling stream?
- Fire detection system operational in all processing areas?
- Sprinkler heads in processing areas unobstructed?
Mobile Equipment
Loaders, forklifts, and baler safety.
- Wheel loader and forklift pre-shift inspections completed?
- Horizontal baler guarded and wire tie operator trained?
- Pedestrian exclusion zones enforced around mobile equipment operating areas?
Hazardous Materials in Waste Stream
Hazardous material identification and segregation.
- Workers trained to identify and segregate hazardous materials from recycling stream?
- Hazardous material accumulation area designated with proper containers?
- Sharps and medical waste found in stream isolated and disposed as regulated waste?
PPE and Hygiene
Worker PPE and hygiene for sort line workers.
- Cut-resistant gloves worn by all sort line workers?
- Safety boots worn by all workers in processing areas?
- Dust/N95 masks available and worn in dusty processing areas?
- Handwashing facilities accessible and used before eating?
Environmental Compliance
Stormwater and waste acceptance compliance.
- Stormwater management controls functional (no contaminated runoff)?
- Only materials per facility permit/acceptance policy received?
- Safety incidents or environmental issues
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Why Use This Recycling and Materials Recovery Facility Safety Checklist?
This recycling and materials recovery facility safety checklist helps waste management / environmental services teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for facility safety manager / operations supervisor professionals, this checklist covers 21 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: daily.
Ensures compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 Lockout/Tagout for Sorting Equipment, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.136 Foot Protection (recycling sort lines), EPA 40 CFR Part 257 Criteria for Classification of Solid Waste, SWANA Applied Solid Waste Management Materials Recovery Facility Safety. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Recycling and Materials Recovery Facility Safety Checklist cover?
This checklist covers 21 inspection items across 6 sections: Sort Line and Conveyor Safety, Fire Prevention, Mobile Equipment, Hazardous Materials in Waste Stream, PPE and Hygiene, Environmental Compliance. It is designed for waste management / environmental services operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed daily. Each completion takes approximately 25-30 minutes.
Who should use this Recycling and Materials Recovery Facility Safety Checklist?
This checklist is designed for Facility Safety Manager / Operations Supervisor professionals in the waste management / environmental services industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Can I download this checklist as a PDF?
Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.