What Is NR 25? Industrial Waste

Industrial processing inevitably generates unwanted by-products. Whether toxic gases released from chimneys, chemical effluents discharged into the sewer or piles of hazardous material scraps, mishandling this waste threatens both the environment and the direct health of the workers who handle it.

To bridge occupational hygiene and environmental protection, Brazil's Ministry of Labour and Employment relies on NR 25. This article details the standard's requirements for the control, packaging and safe disposal of industrial waste.

What does NR 25 establish?

Regulatory Standard 25 (NR-25) covers the management of industrial waste and the preventive measures to be taken to protect workers' health and physical integrity.

The standard defines industrial waste as waste from industrial processes, in solid, liquid or gaseous form or a combination of these, that requires specific treatment. The fundamental premise of NR 25 is reduction at source: the text requires companies to seek, as a priority, to reduce waste generation by adopting the best available technological and organisational practices.

Treatment of Solid, Liquid and Gaseous Waste

When waste generation is unavoidable, plant engineering must act to control it before it reaches workers or the environment:

Gaseous Waste: Emissions of toxic gases, vapours and dusts cannot simply be released into the building. They must be controlled at the source using methods such as local exhaust ventilation, gas scrubbers or filters, ensuring that the air the team breathes stays within the limits of NR 15.
Solid and Liquid Waste: Must be packaged safely, in containers suited to the type of substance, labelled (in accordance with NR 26) and stored in areas that prevent soil contamination and employee exposure.
Radioactive and Biological Waste: Requires maximum attention and must be managed strictly in accordance with the specific resolutions of CNEN (Brazil's National Nuclear Energy Commission) and ANVISA (the National Health Surveillance Agency), respectively.

Training and Safe Packaging

Workers who operate effluent treatment plants (ETE, from the Portuguese Estação de Tratamento de Efluentes), chemical waste transfer areas or who handle production scraps are on the front line of risk.

NR 25 requires these employees to receive ongoing training on the risks involved in handling waste, the appropriate control measures and emergency response procedures in the event of leaks or accidental contact. Strict use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment, known in Brazil as EPI) and personal hygiene procedures (no eating in the waste area, thorough cleaning) are central points of the training.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about NR 25

1. What is the difference between NR 25 and environmental laws (such as CONAMA)?

Environmental legislation (such as Brazil's National Solid Waste Policy and the resolutions of CONAMA, the National Environment Council) focuses on protecting the environment, water and soil. NR 25 (Ministry of Labour) focuses on protecting the workers who collect, transport, store and process this waste inside the plant. However, they work together: NR 25 requires the final disposal of waste to comply with environmental legislation, bringing the two spheres of inspection together.

2. What does the standard say about releasing gases and vapours into the workplace?

NR 25 prohibits the release of gaseous contaminants into the workplace if they could compromise workers' safety and health. If there is a risk, the company must install exhaust and filtration systems directly on the machine that generates them (local exhaust ventilation) before the gas spreads through the building.

3. How should hazardous industrial waste be stored on site?

The standard requires highly toxic or hazardous solid and liquid waste to be stored using containers and processes that guarantee the material is completely isolated, preventing direct contact, leaks and gas emissions. These areas must have restricted access and be properly signposted.