Dozens of defects have been found in a sweep of Sydney’s waste management trucks.

A joint operation featuring officers from NSW Police and Roads and Maritime Services targeted a range of safety and compliance issues in the operation.

The sweep covered a fleet of waste management vehicles contracted to collect and dispose of garbage across the state.

Officers issued 40 defect notices for the 120 trucks inspected. Defects included body/chassis issues, ancillary equipment and oil/fuel leaks, as well as a number of infringements for insecure loads.

The findings included one truck with loose wheel nuts and the tyre unsecured, while another had a bald tyre, and one leaked fluid on the roadway.

The authorities also drug-tested 94 drivers and breath-tested 107, which yielded zero positive results.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Bob Ryan, said the safety sweeps were very necessary.

“Recent events in NSW, and other states involving waste vehicles, highlight the need for safety and compliance on our roads,” he said.

“While relatively few defects were found during today's operation, one vehicle with loose wheel nuts and another with a bald tyre is a serious concern and should be a warning to the industry to take note of their actions.”

Roads and Maritime Services General Manager Compliance Operations, Paul Endycott, also focused on the loose wheel nut.

“The dangerous condition of the truck, with an unsecured wheel with loose wheel nuts that could be turned by hand, was extremely concerning and could easily have had a catastrophic outcome,” Mr Endycott said.

“Critical failures of this type by some operators are totally unacceptable and more care must be taken to ensure vehicles travelling on our roads are safe. We will be taking this up with the company.

“Our message this year has been very clear: If trucks deliver loads to or from your business and if risk is identified, the Joint Task Force will intervene to ensure road safety is not compromised.

“All parties in the chain of responsibility including directors of companies must ensure this culture of poor loading and load restraint, poor safety and shoddy maintenance is eliminated.”