This Baler Operation & Clearing SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) covers the safe use of vertical and horizontal balers for cardboard, plastic, paper and other recyclable or waste material. It covers checking guards, interlocks and emergency stops, screening out prohibited items, loading, tying off and removing bales, and clearing jams only while the baler is isolated and locked out. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Supermarkets and retail stores
Warehouses and distribution centres
Recycling and waste management businesses
Manufacturers with packaging waste
Shopping centres and large venues
Use it to
Train and induct workers in exactly how you expect the task to be done
Keep a clear reference at the machine, in the vehicle or on site
Record competency with the built-in sign-off
Show clients, insurers and auditors your safe work methods are written down
What this SOP covers
Crush or entrapment by the compaction ram
Amputation from reaching in to clear a jam while the baler is energised
Being struck or trapped by a bale during ejection, tying or removal
Cuts and entanglement from wire, strapping, glass and sharp debris
Crush from doors, gates or the ram if an interlock is bypassed or faulty
Hydraulic fluid injection injury or burns from a hose failure
Manual handling, noise, and slips or trips around the machine
What's included
7 pre-operational checks, from guards, interlocks and emergency stops to hydraulic hoses and prohibited items such as aerosols and batteries
A 7-step operating procedure covering loading, control station use, tying off, bale removal and responding to jams
Isolation and energy control with lockout of electrical and hydraulic power and a verified zero energy state before clearing jams
6 shutdown, housekeeping and post-operation steps
Emergency actions for a person caught or trapped in the baler and hydraulic injection injuries
PPE checklist and a list of related documents
Competency acknowledgement and worker sign-off
Space for your logo, SOP number, version and review dates
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing an SOP from a blank page
Written as clear, numbered steps that workers can follow on the job
Fully editable, so you can match it to your equipment, site and how your team works
The competency sign-off gives you a training record from day one
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, company name, SOP number and dates.
Check it suits your equipment and site, and edit anything you need to.
Train your workers and have them sign the competency acknowledgement.
Need more than one SOP?
This SOP is also included in the Ultimate Manufacturing & Industrial SOP Bundle. At $197 for the whole bundle, it works out much cheaper than buying SOPs one at a time.
Common questions
Can operators clear jams under this SOP?
Yes, at operator level only. The baler must be isolated and locked out and the machine's remote or mechanical clearing tools used. If that doesn't clear it, a competent person or technician is called.
Does it cover maintenance and repairs?
No. Maintenance and repair beyond basic jam clearing must be done by a competent person following your site's isolation procedure.
Does it cover moving bales with a forklift?
No. Forklifts and other powered mobile plant used to move finished bales are covered by their own SOPs.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any step, check or hazard, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.
