Process Management System (PMS)
for the
Treatment of Quarantine Waste by High
Temperature Incineration
T +61 2 6272 3933
F +61 2 6272 5161
18 Marcus Clarke Street
Canberra City ACT 2601
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601
agriculture.gov.au
ABN 24 113 085 695
Contents
1. Purpose................................................................................................................................................ 4
2. Scope ................................................................................................................................................... 4
3. Definitions ........................................................................................................................................... 4
Approved Storage Area ....................................................................................................................... 4
Approved Transport Vehicle ............................................................................................................... 4
Approved Treatment Facility ............................................................................................................... 4
High Temperature Incineration ........................................................................................................... 4
Overseas Vessel–a vessel other than: ................................................................................................. 4
4. Prerequisites........................................................................................................................................ 4
5. Management Responsibilities ............................................................................................................. 5
6. Training ................................................................................................................................................ 5
7. Organisation ........................................................................................................................................ 5
7.1 ........................................................................................................................................................ 5
7.2 General Responsibilities ................................................................................................................ 5
8. Requirements ...................................................................................................................................... 6
8.1 General Requirements .................................................................................................................. 6
8.2 High Temperature Incineration Requirements ............................................................................. 6
8.3 Waste Receival .............................................................................................................................. 6
8.4 Waste Storage ............................................................................................................................... 7
8.5 Waste Treatment .......................................................................................................................... 7
8.6 Calibration and Testing.................................................................................................................. 8
8.7 Spillage or Loss .............................................................................................................................. 8
8.8 Maintenance of Waste Receptacles .............................................................................................. 8
9. Record keeping .................................................................................................................................... 8
10. Amendments To the PMS.................................................................................................................. 8
Attachment 1........................................................................................................................................... 8
Attachment 2......................................................................................................................................... 10
2|P a g e
Feb 2015
PMS-Treatment of Quarantine Waste by incineration
Documentation
for the Treatment of Quarantine Waste by High
Temperature Incineration
Documentation identified in the 'Table of Schedules' (located at the rear of the Treatment of
Quarantine Waste by High Temperature Incineration Schedule) constitutes the Compliance
Agreement and Operational Procedures Statements for the Treatment of Quarantine Waste by High
Temperature Incineration Schedule. The Other Party should be familiar with the contents of all
documents.
3|P a g e
Feb 2015
PMS-Treatment of Quarantine Waste by incineration
1. Purpose
This document outlines the procedures for the Treatment of Quarantine Waste by High Temperature
Incineration to prevent the introduction of diseases and of exotic pests in Australia.
2. Scope
The scope of this scheme is limited to the treatment of quarantine waste by high temperature
incineration in accordance with the requirements of this Scheme.
3. Definitions
Definitions that are not contained within the Approved Arrangements Glossary, available on the
department’s website, can be found in the most recent edition of the Macquarie Dictionary or in the
Quarantine Act 1908 (the Act).
The following definitions apply to this document:
Approved Storage Area
The department’s approved Area for the purpose of temporarily storing quarantine waste material,
which may include a QAP or an Approved Transport Vehicle.
Approved Transport Vehicle
A departmental approved vehicle to carry quarantine waste. This may include sea going vessels such
as tugs and barges.
Approved Treatment Facility
A Class 8.1 Quarantine Approved Premises (Treatment and Holding Premises).
High Temperature Incineration
Treatment of quarantine waste at a minimum temperature of 1000 degrees Celsius, with the
resulting product being ash.
Overseas Vessel–a vessel other than:
a. An Australian vessel; or
b. A Cocos Islands vessel, which includes a vessel, that is on a voyage from Australia to the
Cocos Islands or from the Cocos Islands to Australia.
4. Prerequisites


Equipment involved in the Treatment of Quarantine Waste by High Temperature
Incineration Scheme must be approved, by the department, to treat quarantine waste. Only
approved equipment may be used to treat quarantine waste under this Scheme.
Premises that the Other Party intends to use for the high temperature incineration of
quarantine waste must be an Approved Treatment Facility.
4|P a g e
Feb 2015
PMS-Treatment of Quarantine Waste by incineration
5. Management Responsibilities


The Other Party must ensure that only Approved Persons undertake activities relating to
quarantine waste as detailed in this Process Management System (PMS), and are fully aware
of the requirements of this agreement.
The * (insert position) is responsible for ensuring the implementation of and compliance
with the requirements of the PMS, including the department’s approved training of staff (see
6 "Training").
6. Training
a. In order to become an Approved Person under this Treatment of Quarantine Waste by High
Temperature Incineration Schedule, employees of the Other Party must undertake
appropriate training.
b. For training to be deemed appropriate for the purposes of this Scheme, it must include
operational requirements specific to the Other Party as well as the following topics:
o Quarantine awareness training covering potential risks with quarantine waste;
o Secure methods of handling quarantine waste;
o Knowledge of the department’s requirements for the treatment of quarantine waste
by high temperature incineration;
o Secure methods of transfer of quarantine waste to the incinerator including storage
of waste in an departmental approved manner if immediate treatment is not
possible;
o Cleaning of equipment;
o Dealing with accidents and spillage;
o Contingency plans for equipment accidents/ breakdowns, etc... and
o Changes to the PMS.
c. The * (insert position) will maintain an up to date Register of Trained Persons who have
received training.
7. Organisation
7.1
The Other Party must nominate positions (and backup positions) for responsibilities identified in this
document with *.Only Approved Persons may hold these responsibilities. i.e., The * position (backup
position)
7.2 General Responsibilities



The * (insert position) is responsible for ensuring records and documents required under this
Schedule are maintained and held at: [Insert facility]
The * (insert position) will seek the department’s approval in writing for amendments made
to the PMS.
The * (insert position) will document amendments made to the PMS.
5|P a g e
Feb 2015
PMS-Treatment of Quarantine Waste by incineration
8. Requirements
8.1 General Requirements
The * (insert position) is responsible for:
a. Ensuring that waste that comes into contact with quarantine waste is treated as quarantine
waste; and
b. Notifying the department of any quarantine waste spillage or loss and organising a clean up
as necessary.
8.2 High Temperature Incineration Requirements
The * (insert position) is responsible for:








Operating and maintaining high temperature incineration equipment in accordance with the
manufacturer's documented operating procedures.
Documenting the minimum parameters to be employed for the treatment of quarantine
waste by high temperature incineration. These will specifically include but are not limited to
the minimum requirements for:
a. Temperature;
b. Particle size prior to treatment;
c. Containment of airborne particles and pathogens; and
d. Consistency of final product (as ash).
Providing a mechanism to automatically monitor and record the operating conditions of the
incinerator.
Operating and maintaining, in accordance with Quarantine Approved Premise requirements,
a secure, vermin free area for the storage of untreated quarantine waste. These vermin
control measures are to be in use at all times and recorded as per the High Temperature
Incineration Quarantine Waste Log Sheet (see Attachment 1).
Documenting a process to deal with any spillage or loss of quarantine waste, including
reporting to the department.
Documenting a process to clean, disinfect and maintain in sound condition reusable
receptacles used in the storage of quarantine waste. An Approved disinfectant that is
effective against fungi, bacteria and viruses including foot and mouth disease virus, must be
used.
Retaining records pertinent to the requirements outlined in this Schedule for a period of at
least twenty-four months for audit purposes.
Records are to be maintained as per the requirements of this PMS.
8.3 Waste Receival
The * (insert position) is responsible for ensuring the following:

Quarantine waste can only be accepted from transport companies approved by the
department, except in circumstances where the waste is accompanied by a departmental
direction. The department will provide a list of approved transport companies.
6|P a g e
Feb 2015
PMS-Treatment of Quarantine Waste by incineration


The department must be informed if quarantine waste is received from a transport company
not approved by the department before any action is taken.
A High Temperature Incineration Quarantine Waste Log Sheet (as per Attachment 1) as a
minimum must be kept for each receipt of quarantine waste received.
8.4 Waste Storage
The * (insert position) is responsible for ensuring the following:




If quarantine waste requires storage, it must be held in a clearly marked, secure, vermin free
area prior to treatment.
Quarantine waste is to be treated within 48 hours of receival.
If waste is unable to be treated within 48 hours of receival, it must be stored at 4 degrees
Celsius or below. Untreated quarantine waste may only be held for a maximum of 30 days. If
the operator is unable to treat waste within the 30-day period, the department is to be
contacted for approval to dispose of waste in another manner.
Any waste coming into contact with untreated quarantine waste is to be handled and
disposed of as quarantine waste.
8.5 Waste Treatment









Incineration equipment is to be operated and maintained in accordance with the
manufacturer's operating procedures.
Particle size parameters for effective incineration of quarantine waste are to be clearly
documented.
If quarantine waste received does not meet the maximum particle size parameters waste is
to be re-sized.
Equipment used to handle quarantine waste prior to treatment must be thoroughly cleaned
and disinfected daily. If equipment is to be used for material other than quarantine waste, it
is to be cleaned and disinfected prior to that operation taking place. An Approved
disinfectant that is effective against fungi, bacteria and viruses including foot and mouth
disease virus, must be used.
Airborne particles derived from shredding/grinding/hammer mill operations are to be
contained to eliminate escape into the environment.
Quarantine waste is to be treated by high temperature incineration at a minimum
temperature of 1000 degrees Celsius, with the resulting product comprising of ash.
Any instance where the treatment process fails to achieve the minimum treatment
parameters must be investigated and re-treatment of the quarantine waste must be
performed. The minimum parameters must be met before waste can be released.
Waste water that has been in contact with untreated quarantine waste must be contained
and treated prior to disposal. (Disposal of untreated wastewater to council sewerage systems
is acceptable. Relevant council and statutory approvals are required).
Vermin control measures are to be in use at all times. Vermin control is to be provided by an
appropriately authorised and licensed company.
7|P a g e
Feb 2015
PMS-Treatment of Quarantine Waste by incineration
8.6 Calibration and Testing
The * (insert position) is responsible for ensuring the following:



High temperature incineration operations, including chamber loading, heating, time and
temperature recording equipment is to be calibrated by a National Association of Testing
Authorities (NATA) accredited testing organisation or equivalent;
Calibration and testing is to be carried out at intervals not exceeding six months; and
Contacting the department in any instance where requirements described above cannot be
met.
8.7 Spillage or Loss


Any spillage of quarantine waste must be immediately and thoroughly collected and the area
of the spillage disinfected by a thorough application of an Approved disinfectant.
Any major spillage or loss of quarantine waste is to be immediately reported to the
department. A major spillage is classified as a spillage of quarantine waste outside the
confines of a Quarantine Approved Premises, which can be accessed by the general public,
which cannot be readily cleaned up within fifteen minutes.
8.8 Maintenance of Waste Receptacles
Receptacles used in the storage of untreated quarantine waste are to be maintained in a sound,
clean and disinfected state.
9. Record Keeping


A High Temperature Incineration Quarantine Waste Log Sheet must be fully completed for
every consignment of waste.
Records and Quarantine Waste Log Sheets must be kept for a minimum of twenty-four
months and be made available on request to the department for audit purposes.
10. Amendments TO the PMS



The * (insert position) will seek the department’s approval in writing for amendments made
to the PMS. No amendments are to be implemented without prior written approval from the
department.
The * (insert position) will document all amendments made to the PMS. Amendments must
be recorded in ink using the Document Revision Status Table (see Attachment 2).
Where the department notifies the company of mandatory changes to the PMS these will
also be recorded in the Document Revision Status Table (see Attachment 2).
Attachment 1
High Temperature Incineration Quarantine Waste Log Sheet
Transport:
8|P a g e
Feb 2015
PMS-Treatment of Quarantine Waste by incineration
Vehicle registration number
Waste Generator (Vessel Name/Aircraft Flight No.)
Collection Point-Name
Location
Transport Company-Name
Location
Name (please print)
Signature
Date Received
Quarantine Waste:
Treatment Site-Name
Treatment Site-Location
Description (Galley and Cabin Waste, Dunnage, etc)
Quantity
Volume/Weight
Treatment-Date & Time
Location of Approved Storage Area
Minimum treatment parameters reached
Achieved
Not Achieved (see below)
1.
Not Achieved:
If treatment fails, acknowledge subsequent re-treatment
- Reason
- Date & Time
Spillage or loss:
- Reason
- Date & Time
Reported to the department
- Name
- Date & Time
Acknowledged by:
- Name
- Signature
- Date
9|P a g e
Feb 2015
PMS-Treatment of Quarantine Waste by incineration
Sizing and Shredding Equipment
Task
YES
NO
YES
NO
Sizing and Shredding Equipment thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Sizing and Shredding Equipment maintained in a sound, clean and disinfected
state.
Sizing and Shredding Equipment cleaned with an Approved disinfectant (i.e.,
effective against fungi, bacteria and viruses including foot and mouth disease virus)
Treatment process used in cleaning and disinfecting Sizing and Shredding
Equipment.
Date of cleaning Sizing and Shredding Equipment [Insert Date]
Name of person cleaning Sizing and Shredding Equipment [Insert Name]
Signature of person cleaning Sizing and Shredding Equipment [Insert Signature]
Waste receptacles
Task
Waste receptacles thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to picking up nonquarantine waste.
Waste receptacles maintained in a sound, clean and disinfected state
Waste receptacles cleaned with an Approved disinfectant (i.e., effective against
fungi, bacteria and viruses including foot and mouth disease virus)
Waste receptacles washed in an approved wash bay at a QAP.
Date of cleaning waste receptacles [Insert Date]
Name of person cleaning waste receptacles [Insert Name]
Signature of person cleaning waste receptacles [Insert Signature]
Document Revision Status Table
Attachment 2
Department of Agriculture
Issue or Revision #
Date
Revision Description
Agreed
Date
Note: The department reserves the right to review this arrangement where extensive amendments are
made to the PMS.
10 | P a g e
Feb 2015
PMS-Treatment of Quarantine Waste by incineration