This page includes resources for workplaces in the Food processing and manufacturing industries on work health and safety, workers’ compensation and COVID-19. 

The Food processing industry turns agricultural and other substances into foods.  

This may include: 

  • meat and meat product manufacturing 
  • seafood processing 
  • dairy product manufacturing 
  • fruit and vegetable processing 
  • oil and fat manufacturing 
  • grain mill and cereal product manufacturing 
  • bakery product manufacturing 
  • sugar and confectionery manufacturing, and 
  • other food product manufacturing. 

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) notes that meat processing facilities carry particular risks of COVID-19 transmission due to:

  • environmental conditions (e.g. cold and damp environment), and
  • tasks that require workers to be in close proximity, e.g. at workstations and on processing lines.
     

The Manufacturing industry is mainly engaged in the physical or chemical transformation of materials, substances or components into new products. This also includes the assembly of component parts of manufactured products, either self-produced or purchased.

This may include:

  • food and beverage
  • tobacco
  • textiles, leather, clothing and footwear
  • wood products
  • pulp and paper
  • printing
  • chemicals including cleaning products, toiletries and cosmetics
  • metals and plastics
  • machinery and equipment, and
  • furniture.

Workplaces may include:  

  • abattoirs 
  • bakeries 
  • dairies 
  • wineries 
  • distilleries 
  • plants, factories and mills, and  
  • other processing and manufacturing facilities.  

These workplaces typically use power-driven machines and other materials-handling equipment, as well as hand tools. The nature of work at these workplaces may also require the use of personal protective equipment by workers in normal operations.   

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