4.5 Management of Waste

Management of Waste

4.5

Version 6.2 June 2025

4.5 Management of Waste Contents Preamble ............................................................................................................................. 3 4.5.1 Policies, Procedures and Practices ......................................................................... 3 4.5.2 Reporting Hazardous Waste Incidents .................................................................... 4 4.5.3 Emergency Plans .................................................................................................... 4 4.5.4 Waste Management Training .................................................................................. 5 Recycling Project ............................................................................................................. 5 Procedures .......................................................................................................................... 6 Workers ............................................................................................................................ 6 Duties of those who are not workers ................................................................................ 6 Summary ............................................................................................................................. 6 Supporting Documents ........................................................................................................ 7 Policies ............................................................................................................................. 7 Forms ............................................................................................................................... 7 Information ....................................................................................................................... 7 NGO Training ................................................................................................................... 7 Legislation ........................................................................................................................ 7 NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators ................................................................. 8 4.5 Management of Waste ............................................................................................... 8 Human Services Quality Standards ..................................................................................... 9 4 Safety, Wellbeing and Rights ........................................................................................ 9 6 Human Resources......................................................................................................... 9 Delegation of Authority......................................................................................................... 9 Version Details ................................................................................................................... 10

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Preamble Various human activities generate a wide variety of waste. This waste is unwanted material that we throw away. When left unnoticed, these wastes have detrimental effects on our health and environment. So, managing waste is very important.

BigDog Support Services Pty Ltd and Scottvale Health Club Group (BigDog) works to ensure that each client, each worker, and any other person in the home is protected from harm as a result of exposure to waste, infectious or hazardous substances generated during the delivery of supports through procedures, reporting of incidents, emergency plans and appropriate training of workers.

4.5.1 Policies, Procedures and Practices BigDog has policies, procedures and practices in place for the safe and appropriate storage and disposal of waste, infectious or hazardous substances that comply with current legislation and local health district requirements.

As a registered service provider under the NDIS, BigDog has a responsibility to ensure that all waste is managed in a manner that protects both people and the environment.

BigDog takes all necessary precautions to minimise potential hazards and ensures that all waste is managed safely and legally including: waste segregation, packaging, labelling and storage; appropriate training for all staff involved in the generation and handling of wastes; using licensed contractors for collection and transport of the waste; verifying that the relevant disposal facility is licensed to treat the waste regularly auditing the processes and procedures in place to deal with the waste to ensure that they remain effective.

Improving waste management and applying waste minimisation principles will reduce waste disposal costs and generate a range of other positive environmental, economic and social benefits including: reduced potential to spread infection; less damage to the environment; improved occupational health and safety for staff; compliance with legislation; better staff morale; and improved reputation and better community relationship.

A Hazard Assessment Form should be completed on any new substance used in a support environment. This includes utilising the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) that will contain information on the potential hazards (health, fire, reactivity and environmental) and how to work safely with the chemical product.

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4.5.2 Reporting Hazardous Waste Incidents BigDog ensures that all incidents involving infectious material, body substances or hazardous substances are reported, recorded, investigated and reviewed.

All information is to be secured and presented to the Directors as soon as possible. It is to be kept in the strictest confidence and secured separately to the client’s main file.

All involved parties will be requested to complete written reports of the critical incident.

Reports should contain the facts as observed firsthand by the individual who is doing the reporting. The reporting should only contain straight forward description of the event or incident in chronological order. Emotive or subjective language should be avoided and instead the report should accurately describe what was observed.

All actions by BigDog are to be recorded and all workers will avail themselves to any external investigation honestly and openly. Workers should not enter into speculative or uncollaborated information but should simply record and pass on to the Directors.

Note: It is important not to contaminate information by adding to it with an opinion or innuendo, leave the investigation up to those in positions to do this appropriately.

For clients who use augmented or alternative communication methods, they will be assisted to give a report utilising their communication methods. External advocacy or support will be supplied if required.

The company solicitor and insurance broker are to be contacted by the Directors in all instances that may result in legal proceedings and/or insurance claims.

4.5.3 Emergency Plans BigDog will have an emergency plan in place to respond to clinical waste or hazardous substance management issues and/or accidents. Where the plan is implemented, its effectiveness is evaluated, and revisions are made if required.

BigDog is dedicated to providing service responses that meet the needs of individuals whose lives are impacted upon by disability. From time to time critical incidents occur involving Clients within a service structure, it is important that BigDog workers are conversant with their responsibilities when and if a Client critical incident should arise.

BigDog is committed to be an employer of choice, and to providing a safe and healthy workplace free from abuse, harassment or bullying. It is crucial that all critical incidents are reported in order to undertake the appropriate assessments and to ensure a safe work environment.

As these situations are all unique and the dynamics surrounding them are often vastly different, BigDog workers must be extremely mindful of their responsibilities in a range of areas prior to proceeding.

BigDog has an Incident procedure which outlines the actions required to be undertaken by staff, management and the directors in the event of an emergency.

Prevention Recovery

Preparedness Response

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4.5.4 Waste Management Training Support workers involved in the management of waste and hazardous substances receive training to ensure safe and appropriate handling. This includes training on any protective equipment and clothing required when handling waste or hazardous substances.

BigDog is committed to ensuring a healthy and safe working environment for workers, clients, visitors and contractors. BigDog encourages members and personnel to regard accident prevention and working safely as a collective and individual responsibility.

BigDog provides appropriate, consistent and relevant inductions to all new workers through using standard information manuals and checklists with signed confirmations. This induction includes a Workplace Health and Safety induction through the issuing of the WHS Induction Manual and acknowledgement by checklist that the individual safety items and policies have been presented and the new worker signing as confirmation.

Contained in the WHS Induction Manual is a section on the importance of ensuring the safe and appropriate handling of waste, including the use of protective equipment and suitable clothing. BigDog also holds regular training sessions with workers which focus on the correct management of waste and hazardous substances.

Waste Management In this course workers will learn the importance of waste management and how this applies to their role as a Disability Support Worker. Workers will gain a deeper understanding of waste including the types of waste they will encounter. Workers will learn how to safely manage, treat and dispose of hazardous waste. Lastly, they will learn how to manage spills.

After this lesson workers will be able to: 1. Understand and explain what waste management is and the different types of waste.

2. Know how to safely manage and dispose of hazardous waste.

3. Know how to manage spills.

Course duration: 28 minutes

Recycling Project Coca Cola and BigDog Recycle Project In 2015 BigDog was successful in obtaining funding to produce five short films on recycling from the perspective of people with an intellectual disability.

Film 1 Q&A about recycling by radio presenter, Tony Wigan. Clients were given a twoweek period to learn about recycling to assist with answering questions, all questions were answered by clients with their own opinion to make it original and authentic.

Film 2 Recycling and our journey as an organisation. This film will be based on how we as an organisation became involved in recycling and teaching our clients why it is important.

Film 3 Animation with client voiceovers. An animation on recycling aluminum can and the process of been made into new aluminum cans.

Film 4 Making something new from something old. Recycled craft and activities including hand-made paper and a bottle cap mural.

Film 5 Recycling at home. Clients explaining how they recycle at home.

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Procedures Under the model WHS laws, BigDog must put control measures in place if it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate a health and safety risk in the workplace. Control measures may include PPE as an interim or last resort or as back-up.

Workers Workers also have duties in relation to PPE under regulation 46 of the model WHS Regulations. A worker who is provided with PPE by BigDog must: Use or wear the PPE in accordance with any information, training or reasonable instruction provided by BigDog, so far as they are reasonably able.

Not intentionally misuse or damage the PPE. Inform BigDog of any damage, defect or need to clean or decontaminate any of the PPE if they become aware of it.

If the PPE is uncomfortable, does not fit properly or the worker has an adverse reaction using it, they should consult their manager.

If a worker refuses to wear or use the PPE, BigDog can take action against the worker. A worker who does not wear or use PPE, or intentionally misuses or damages it, may face disciplinary action or even prosecution.

Duties of those who are not workers Under regulation 47 of the model WHS Regulations, a person other than a worker is also required to wear any PPE that is required to be worn at that workplace. The PPE must be worn in accordance with any information, training or reasonable instruction provided by BigDog.

Summary Management of waste is primarily the responsibility of state and territory governments which regulate and manage waste in accordance with their respective legislation, policies and programs.

The Australian Government is responsible for national legislation, strategies and policy frameworks for waste, including measures that give effect to obligations under international agreements.

Local governments have responsibility for waste management within their local areas as laid down by the regulatory framework of each state or territory. Local governments play an important role in providing household waste collection and recycling services, managing and operating landfill sites, delivering education and awareness programs, and providing and maintaining litter infrastructure.

Managing waste is not just the responsibility of governments. A range of industries and businesses, as well as communities, households and individuals are involved in waste management and resource recovery.

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Supporting Documents Policies 2.2 Risk Management 2.9 Emergency and Disaster Management 8.0 WHS Policy

Forms Child Safety Critical Incident Report Form Child Safety Major Incident Report Form Emergency Information Form Hazard Assessment Form Hazard Report Form Incident Report Form Incident Report Register WHS Incident Report

Information Emergency Contact Numbers Emergency Planning – Department of Emergency Services Hazardous Substances Checklist Incident Flowchart Management of Waste Manual

NGO Training Child Safety Critical Incidents Child Safety Major Incidents Handling Hazardous Materials Waste Management Workplace Health and Safety Induction

Legislation Child Protection Reform and other Legislation Act 2022 (QLD) Disability Services Act 2006 (QLD) Disability Services and Inclusion Act 2023 (Cwth) Environmental Protection Act 1994 (QLD) National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cwth) NDIS (Provider Registration and Practice Standards) Amendment Rules 2021 National Environment Protection Measures (Implementation) Act 1998 (Cwth) Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 (QLD)

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NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators BigDog Support Services Pty Ltd (BigDog) is a registered NDIS provider and is required to apply the scheme’s practice standard and quality indicators.

The standards have been developed to create an important benchmark to assess provider performance and ensure that high quality and safe supports and services are provided to NDIS participants.

The four core modules are: 1.0 Rights and Responsibilities; 2.0 Governance and Operational Management; 3.0 The Provision of Supports; and 4.0 The Support Provision Environment.

The supplementary modules cover: 5.0 Specialist Support 5.1 High intensity daily personal activities.

5.3 Implementing behaviour support plans.

4.5 Management of Waste Each participant, each worker, and any other person in the home is protected from harm as a result of exposure to waste, infectious or hazardous substances generated during the delivery of supports.

4.5.1 Policies, procedures and practices are in place for the safe and appropriate storage and disposal of waste, infectious or hazardous substances that comply with current legislation and local health district requirements.

4.5.2 All incidents involving infectious material, body substances or hazardous substances are reported, recorded, investigated and reviewed.

4.5.3 An emergency plan is in place to respond to clinical waste or hazardous substance management issues and/or accidents. Where the plan is implemented, its effectiveness is evaluated, and revisions are made if required.

4.5.4 Workers involved in the management of waste and hazardous substances receive training to ensure safe and appropriate handling. This includes training on any protective equipment and clothing required when handling waste or hazardous substances.

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Human Services Quality Standards 4 Safety, Wellbeing and Rights The safety, wellbeing and human and legal rights of people using services are protected and promoted.

4.2 BigDog proactively prevents, identifies and responds to risks to the safety and wellbeing of people using services.

4.3 The organisation has processes for reporting and responding to potential or actual harm, abuse and/or neglect that may occur for people using services 4.4 People using services are enabled to access appropriate supports and advocacy.

6 Human Resources Effective human resource management systems, including recruitment, induction and supervisory processes, result in quality service provision.

6.1 BigDog has human resource management systems that are consistent with regulatory requirements, industrial relations legislation, work health and safety legislation and relevant agreements or awards.

6.3 BigDog provides people working in BigDog with induction, training and development opportunities relevant to their roles.

Delegation of Authority Name

Position

Details

Courtney Carroll

Director

Authorise review and implementation

Ann Paull

Company Secretary

Manage Finances

Peter McGrath

Operations Manager

Ensure information dissemination

Monique Paull

HR Lawyer

Ensure compliance by workers

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Version Details This policy will be reviewed every twelve (12) months unless circumstances deem it necessary to review earlier. The review process will involve an analysis of the usefulness of the policy and to note any changes which are required to improve the policy.

If minor changes are made in wording or to clarify the intent, the version number will indicate this by adding a ‘point’ i.e. Version 1.0 indicates the original version and 1.1 with the first round of minor changes made. A significant change or intent of the policy will be indicated by a whole new number i.e. Version 2.0.

The following rules also apply in interpreting this policy: • Headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation.

• A singular word includes the plural and vice versa.

• A word that suggests one gender includes the other genders.

Date

V

January 2019

1.0 New policy

January 2020

5.0 Removed HSQF Standards Indicators and Policy matched with NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators Front cover updated to Standards colour identification Supporting Policies updated 5.1 Updated Responsible Officers details Changed ‘the director’ to ‘the directors’ Introduction of BigDog Training Portal and modules

January 2021

Details

January 2022

5.2 Included 2.9 Emergency and Disaster Management NDIS Practice Standards November 2021 Version 4 Policy renamed from 4.4 to 4.5

January 2023

6.0 Included Human Services Quality Standards and Child Protection Act and the term “Participant” is returned to “Client” to allow for policies to cover NDIS and Child Safety.

January 2024

6.1 Disability Services Act 1986 replaced with Disability Services and Inclusion Act 2023 and policy review process included.

June 2025

6.2 Scottvale Health Club included in policy Steven Paull has retired, responsible officers updated

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