Strengthening Safety Across 260 Sites

Across more than 260 Containers for Change refund points, WARRRL required consistent safety oversight across diverse operators and risk environments. A structured audit program combined with ergonomic analysis strengthened manual handling controls, improved musculoskeletal risk visibility and reinforced safer operational practices throughout Western Australia’s statewide recycling network.

Client

Services

Audits & Inspections WHS Consultants

Scope of Work

Provision of independent WHS oversight across WARRRL’s Containers for Change network, comprising more than 260 refund points throughout Western Australia. The engagement included structured audits at 77 locations, identification of priority risk themes and targeted ergonomic assessment at five high-volume sites.

Work focused on strengthening manual handling controls, improving musculoskeletal risk management and supporting legislative compliance across independently operated refund points ranging from large commercial facilities to small volunteer organisations.

The Challenge

Maintaining standards across diverse independent operators

Site size, throughput and WHS capability vary significantly, creating uneven approaches to risk identification and control.

Manual handling is a core operational task, exposing workers to repetitive lifting, sorting and transport of containers across varied workplace environments.

Diverse operators ranging from commercial facilities to volunteer groups
High manual handling demands across daily operations
Inconsistent application of WHS controls across sites
Need for independent oversight supporting legislative compliance

The Approach

Independent audits supported by data-driven ergonomic assessment

Epigroup partnered with WARRRL’s internal WHS team to strengthen oversight across the Containers for Change network through a structured audit and ergonomic assessment program.

The program included:

Structured WHS audits conducted across 77 refund points
Identification of priority risk themes across diverse site environments
Deployment of Alter Ergo ergonomic analysis at five high-volume sites
Motion sensor data capturing posture, load intensity and repetitive movement patterns
Translation of findings into practical guidance for operators

The Impact

Stronger manual handling capability across a statewide operational network

The audit and ergonomic assessment program strengthened understanding of musculoskeletal risk exposure across WARRRL’s statewide network.

Objective ergonomic data provided clearer visibility of posture patterns, repetitive movements and sustained loads during operational tasks.

Greater manual handling awareness across refund point operators
Improved consistency in how musculoskeletal risks are understood and managed
Stronger WHS guidance for smaller and not-for-profit operators
Increased confidence in compliance across the network

The initiative reinforced a shared commitment to safer operating practices across Western Australia’s Containers for Change refund points.

Client Impact

Improved manual handling oversight across a statewide network of independent refund point operators

260

Refund points

Oversight program supporting consistent safety standards across Western Australia’s Containers for Change refund point operators.

77

Sites Audited

Independent audits provided risk visibility and strengthened WHS compliance across diverse operational environments.

6

High-volume sites ergonomically asssessed

Ergonomic motion analysis captured real-time posture and load data during operational manual handling tasks.

12mo

Transformational program duration

Ongoing collaboration strengthened operator understanding and supported implementation of improved manual handling practices.

Services provided

Independent WHS audits combined with ergonomic risk assessment strengthened manual handling controls across a distributed operational network. The engagement integrated compliance verification, musculoskeletal exposure analysis and implementation support to enable consistent safety standards across diverse refund point operators.

Audits & Inspections Structured, practical checks that provide visibility and drive meaningful action and continuous improvement.

WHS Consultants Skilled, experienced safety professionals embedded where needed, aligned with your systems, culture, and operational needs.

Video Production Training explainers, cinematic safety stories and corporate communications that engage and inform. Clear, creative and to the point.

Epigroup always provides a comprehensive service and have been reasonable in their rates for us. The staff are friendly and want to help us and our refund points any way they can. The team has a really good relationship with a lot of our refund points now.

Denise Sawkins

WHSE Consultant, WARRRL

Strengthening Safety Across 260 Sites