Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) Safety and Operations Audit Checklist

This comprehensive materials recovery facility (mrf) safety and operations audit checklist ensures regulatory compliance with OSHA, SWANA, NFPA, EPA, State Solid Waste Agency. Monthly safety and operations audit for single-stream and dual-stream MRFs covering sorting equipment safety, baler operations, fire prevention, and OSHA compliance per SWANA MRF guidelines and OSHA 29 CFR 1910. MRF workers face high injury rates from sorting line hazards, baler entanglement, and lithium battery fires in r

  • Industry: Waste Management & Recycling
  • Frequency: Daily / Weekly
  • Estimated Time: 40 minutes
  • Role: Operations Manager / Environmental Compliance Officer
  • Total Items: 20
  • Compliance: OSHA, SWANA, NFPA, EPA, State Solid Waste Agency

Sorting Equipment Safety

Inspect sorting equipment per OSHA machine guarding standards.

  • Are all conveyor nip points, drive systems, and in-running nip points guarded per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.212?
  • Are emergency stop buttons functional at all sorting stations and at accessible intervals along conveyors?
  • Are optical sorter laser and pneumatic systems guarded with interlocked access panels?
  • Is trommel or screen equipment guarded to prevent access to rotating screens during operation?
  • Are LOTO stations accessible at all equipment requiring maintenance access per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147?
  • Are sorting line workers wearing cut-resistant gloves, safety glasses, and required PPE per facility hazard assessment?

Baler Safety and Operations

Verify baler safety per OSHA and ANSI Z245.5.

  • Is baler chamber interlocked preventing ram operation when access door is open per ANSI Z245.5?
  • Is bale wire or strap tying performed per safety procedure with no entanglement risk?
  • Is bale ejection area clear of personnel before ejection cycle per baler SOP?
  • Are hydraulic hoses in good condition with no leaks, abrasion damage, or improper repairs?
  • Is baler on current preventive maintenance schedule with worn blades and guides replaced?

Fire Prevention and Lithium Battery Hazard

Verify fire prevention per NFPA 13 and emerging LiB guidance.

  • Is fire detection system operational throughout facility including under conveyors and in bale storage?
  • Is lithium-ion battery detection and removal protocol in place including employee training on identifying batteries in stream?
  • Is automatic sprinkler system operational and designed for commodities stored per NFPA 13?
  • Are bales stored with fire access lanes maintained and height limits observed per facility fire plan?
  • Is hot work permit required for any cutting or welding in facility with fire watch established?

Indoor Air Quality and Worker Health

Verify air quality per OSHA PELs.

  • Is dust suppression or local exhaust ventilation in place at dust-generating processes?
  • Are odor control measures in place for organics and wet materials reducing nuisance and exposure?
  • Has industrial hygiene sampling been conducted to assess exposure to particulates, bioaerosols, and VOCs?
  • Are break areas isolated from sorting floor with handwashing facilities and no eating on sort line?

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Why Use This Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) Safety and Operations Audit Checklist?

This materials recovery facility (mrf) safety and operations audit checklist helps waste management & recycling teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for operations manager / environmental compliance officer professionals, this checklist covers 20 critical inspection points across 4 sections. Recommended frequency: daily / weekly.

Ensures compliance with OSHA, SWANA, NFPA, EPA, State Solid Waste Agency. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) Safety and Operations Audit Checklist cover?

This checklist covers 20 inspection items across 4 sections: Sorting Equipment Safety, Baler Safety and Operations, Fire Prevention and Lithium Battery Hazard, Indoor Air Quality and Worker Health. It is designed for waste management & recycling operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed daily / weekly. Each completion takes approximately 40 minutes.

Who should use this Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) Safety and Operations Audit Checklist?

This checklist is designed for Operations Manager / Environmental Compliance Officer professionals in the waste management & recycling 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.

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