Kapazitätsverlust durch manuelle Identifikation, Kennzeichnung und Nachverfolgung von Gefahrstoffen

Definition

The Code of Practice for Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals under the model WHS Regulations requires that hazardous chemicals be correctly classified and labelled, with information such as product identifier, ingredients contributing to hazard classes, hazard pictograms, signal words and hazard/precautionary statements; suppliers must not supply hazardous chemicals to a workplace if they are not correctly labelled, and workplaces must ensure containers and pipework are properly identified.[1] University hazardous waste disposal guidelines (representative of broader compliance practice) show the level of process required: all hazardous waste must be identified, placed into appropriate receptacles, and have a Hazardous Waste Label applied capturing generator details, contents, dangerous goods class, UN number, packaging type and volume; in addition, a waste tracking log must be completed for all hazardous waste to ensure correct categorisation and to meet legislative requirements.[2] In a wholesale recycling context, where trucks and containers arrive with mixed or poorly documented loads, staff must frequently spend time identifying suspect hazardous materials, segregating them, applying appropriate labels and completing tracking logs or equivalent documentation before hazardous waste contractors can collect them. This manual effort reduces gate throughput and causes queuing. Based on typical handling assumptions, each hazardous or mixed load that requires additional identification, labelling and paperwork may consume 15–30 minutes of supervisor or operator time, plus administrative follow‑up.[2] For a facility receiving, for example, 80–120 loads per day with around 5–10% requiring hazardous review, this equates to roughly 1–4 hours per day of capacity lost to manual hazardous identification and documentation, or about 20–80 hours per month (logic estimate). Valuing this at a blended labour cost of AUD 60–80 per hour (including on‑costs) gives a direct labour cost of approximately AUD 1,200–6,400 per month (AUD 14,000–77,000 per year). In addition, slower gate processing can reduce effective capacity by an estimated 2–5%, meaning fewer loads accepted per day or overtime required to clear queues.

Why This Matters

The Pitch: Australian recycling facilities waste 40–100 labour hours per month and lose 2–5% of potential throughput dealing manually with hazardous material identification, labelling and waste tracking. Automation of intake screening, digital labelling and tracking recovers this lost capacity.

Affected Stakeholders

Weighbridge and Gatehouse Operators, Yard Supervisors, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Managers, Administrative Staff responsible for waste tracking and manifests, Drivers waiting for load acceptance and paperwork

Related Business Risks