Health & Safety

Why do we exist and what are we trying to achieve for the industry?

The sector group was established to eliminate occupational injury or illness in the solid waste and resource recovery sector by:

• Providing a support network for those actively involved in health and safety in the waste management sector
• Making available credible, targeted and relevant information
• Facilitating opportunities for communication, co-operation and exchange of ideas and experiences
• Providing a forum for discussions with government agencies and other key sector stakeholders on waste related OHS issues and regulations
• Encouraging strategic and commercially relevant research and development
• Developing and promoting relevant good practice standards or guidelines and encourage their adoption by the sector

Who is on the steering committee?

• David Lindsay, Whangarei District Council
• Greg Dearsly, First 4 Safety
• Guy Smith, Waste Management NZ
• Jason Harvey, Smart Environmental
• Robyn Vallom (Chair), EnviroNZ
• Jacqui Apiata-Coyne, Northland Waste
• Warwick Jaine, Auckland Council
• Wayne Plummer (Board Champion), EnviroNZ

What is our work programme?

• Run relevant events for the sector.
• Utilise WasteMINZ’s communication channels to promote health and safety issues
• Suggest relevant workshops, topics and presenters for the WasteMINZ conference
• Run targeted WasteMINZ events for government agencies and key stakeholders
• Advise the sector when submissions are being sought on updated/new legislation and make submissions where appropriate
• Publish relevant research on the WasteMINZ website
• Source funding to remove content referring to the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 in the Health 

To view the latest meeting minutes click here.

What are the past projects that the sector group has developed or assisted in?

What are the past projects that the sector group has developed or assisted in?

• Health and Safety Issues in the Solid Waste and Resources Industry (2007)
• Solid Waste & Recoverable Resources Industry Injury Causation Study (2008)
• An assessment of the Health and Safety Costs and Benefits of Manual vs Automated Waste Collections (updated March 2012)
• Health and Safety Survey (2015)
• Members of the public sleeping in Front End Load bins (fact sheet) (2016)
• Refuse transfer station edge protection (fact sheet) (2016)
• Health and Safety Guidelines for the Solid Waste and Resource Recovery Sector – parts one, two, three, four and five (2017)
• Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management (kerbside collection module) (2018)
• Good Practice Guidelines for Collecting Waste on Cycle Lanes (2018)

What training and resources are available for the industry?

New Zealand Transport Agency

CoPTTM

The New Zealand Transport Agency published the 4th edition of the Code of practice for temporary traffic management (CoPTTM) on 1 November 2012 and it can be downloaded from its website.

In particular, Section D7.3; Kerbside collection activities, affects a broad range of WasteMINZ members and the following should be noted:

• All drivers must be trained as a waste collection traffic leader (WCTL).
• Training for a WCTL is available through the CoPTTM training system.  Contact the NZTA for further information.
• WCTL is a unique qualification for the waste collection industry and must be renewed every three years.

The effective date for compliance with all vehicle and driver requirements in this section is 1 April 2013 and a list of accredited NZTA temporary traffic management trainers can be viewed here.

An operator information pack supplied by the New Zealand Transport Authority (NZTA) contains information on the Operator Rating System, Toro (Transport Organisation Register Online), resolution processes, chain of responsibility, display of TSL labels and the Fleet Safety Programme. It can be viewed here. 

A basic guide to work time and rest time requirements and logbook standards for transport operators and drivers can be viewed here.

How can I access more information?

To find out more about this sector group or to join (so that you can receive information about the sector group), please contact our Sector Group Projects Manager Nic Quilty or call her on 09 476 7167.