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?

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

Publications

To view the strategic and work plan – January 2021 – June 2022, please 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?

Kerbside Collection Traffic Leader (KCTL) training

There are two courses available.  The first is for new trainers who wish to hold a warrant to conduct KCTL training for their organisation or third party attendees.  The second is a KCTL refresher course – for existing trainers, which needs to be undertaken every three years. 

Historically, NZTA has been responsible for the facilitation and management of the KCTL training workshops, the maintenance and management of the database of trainers and warrant holders, and also the organisation of the actual workshops as required.

Following consultation with the waste industry and NZTA, it has been agreed that there is merit in WasteMINZ facilitating these courses, effective November 2020, as this would provide greater oversight and encourage industry input as to the content of the training material – to make sure it is fit for purpose and serves the specific needs of the waste collection industry.  Therefore below is the allocation of responsibilities. 

WasteMINZ is responsible for the following:

• Developing and maintaining training material
• Organising and running the KCTL Train the Trainer workshops for new trainers and KCTL refreshers for existing trainers
• Overseeing the ongoing performance of KCTL trainers

Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) is responsible for the following:

• Overseeing the Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management (CoPTTM) component of the training material
• Maintaining the register of KCTL trainers and issuing the KCTL Trainer warrant cards

If you have any questions regarding the requirements to become a trainer, or to RSVP for a workshop, please contact Sharmaine Oakley:

• Email: sharmaine@wasteminz.org.nz
• Phone:  09 476 7163

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 Project and Membership coordinator Sharmaine Oakley or call her on 09 476 7163.