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Bega Cheese Employees' HandbookCONTENTS
 1. IntroductionThis employee handbook is intended to provide general information about Bega Cheese: what we do, how we operate, and the terms, conditions and benefits of working here. We have produced the handbook so that all employees can understand more about their Company and how it works, about the part they play in its development and success, and about the career opportunities available to them. The handbook also supports the Company's commitment to open communication.The information in this handbook is necessarily general, applying to Bega Cheese as a whole. In all cases there is more detail to be found elsewhere, in other documents that set out specific policies, procedures, and instructions that apply to particular positions, processes and sites. This handbook will be updated and revised from time to time. The Company has the right to change, at any time, the policies, procedures and details set out here. Employees will be notified of all and any changes. The handbook is an important document; reading and understanding its contents is a requirement of your employment. 2. Bega CheeseHistoryDairying started in the Bega Valley in the 1850's. In those days each farmer produced and sold cheese from their dairy. Local farmers decided to improve their individual production and marketing activities, and banded together to establish The Bega Co-operative Creamery Company in 1899.Today, Bega Cheese continues to process and distribute the highest quality dairy products. After 100 years of tradition and expertise, Bega Cheese is Australia's No 1 selling natural cheese brand and is leading the Australian cheese manufacturing industry. Bega Cheese has a Board of five Directors who are elected by the owners, being approximately 135 dairy farmers, who are all active members supplying milk to the factory. The milk supply from our local Bega farmers is often augmented by supplies from other selected regions, such as Green Valley in East Gippsland and Gerringong. Bega Cheese's original factory was opened in 1900 and with the new processing plant built in 1997, has grown to be the largest employer in the area. MissionBega Cheese – working together to deliver dairy products to the world.VisionBega Cheese's vision is to be an Australian dairy industry icon; valuing our heritage, people, customers and community. Embracing challenge. Driving change. Building for the future.Management CharterWe expect our staff who manage employees:
ValuesOur values that support the management charter are:
Site Contact DetailsBega Cheese18-36 Ridge Street North Bega PO Box 123 Bega NSW 2550 Telephone: 6491 7777 Facsimile:6492 3358 E-mail: After Business Hours Contact Numbers
3. Policies and StatementsOccupational Health and Safety PolicyThe Bega Cheese occupational health and safety policy is based on its conviction that the well being of our employees is the major consideration in all operations.Bega Cheese will provide sufficient resources to ensure that its normal operations can be conducted at least in accordance wit the required standards of health and safety. The goals of the safety program are both humanitarian and economic. Our policy is to do everything reasonable to prevent injury to employee, damage to property, and to protect the customer, the public, the shareholder and Bega Cheese from the results of accidents and incidents. Issued safety equipment and clothing must be worn, including footwear, eyewear and hearing protection. Staff at all levels, are to responsibly support in practical ways the spirit and particular task requirements of the health and safety program. Quality Statement…. The quality and reliability of the Company's products are the concern of every person in the organisation and are not just the sole responsibility of Quality Assurance. It includes the quality that comes from the skill and accuracy of the people making the product. Thus, all employees have quality-related responsibilities. Quality cannot be inspected into a product but is the result of team effort and diligence."Make It Right The First Time" approach is the key to quality production, cost reduction, and customer satisfaction. To help achieve this objective, quality problems arising in various areas are to be identified and solved with speed, technical efficiency and economy. The methods employed are to be continually under review and techniques improved whenever and wherever possible. ….. Environment & Community StatementBega Cheese considers that responsible environmental management is an essential part of achieving business objectives. Accordingly where ever practicable Bega Cheese will carry out its function to:
Customer Service StatementCustomer service is the focus of all our activities. Bega Cheese aims to continuously improve our products and processes to meet and exceed our customers needs and expectations.We pride ourselves in our ability to respond to specific customer requests in the shortest possible time frame, thereby building excellent customer relations. 4. EmploymentHuman ResourcesThe Human Resources department is responsible for managing or coordinating the employment relationship between the Company and its employees, helping to provide a positive environment in which Bega Cheese staff can work effectively to achieve their goals. The main activities of this department are:
If you want to discuss any aspect of your employment, talk over any thoughts you have about your career path with the Company, or raise any other issues or concerns, please contact your supervisor or manager. The Human Resources Department can provide additional support and advice when required. Employee RelationsOur productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness depend very much on the quality of the relationship between the Company and its employees. It is vitally important that we all have a commitment to achieving the Company mission and that we all work to a shared vision and to common standards. To this end, we want all employees to be informed about new developments, to have the opportunity to participate in decision making processes, and to provide comments, suggestions, and opinions.Employees, for their part, must be prepared to contribute positively to the Company's mission and performance. We have established a number of formal and informal systems to keep employees informed about the Company's goals, plans, financial achievements, staff changes and relationships with customers and suppliers. These include:
To keep yourself informed ensure you read the publications and notice boards regularly and participate in meetings whenever you have the opportunity. Workplace ConsultationWe want to further develop and maintain an atmosphere of mutual trust, respect and co-operation in the workplace. We seek to consult with all employees, to enable them to express their views, to contribute to problem solving, and to influence planning and decision making on matters that will affect their work.A Joint Consultative Committee has been established with representatives from employees, management and the relevant unions. The committee aims generally to improve workplace relations, to meet the Company's mission and the aspirations of employees. One of the main tasks of the committee is to negotiate, implement and monitor the Bega Enterprise Agreement. Continuous ImprovementIt is essential to Bega Cheese's continuous improvement of products and processes that all workplaces and employees operate flexibly, without restrictive work practices, work barriers and limitations on gaining new skills.To this end:
Bega Cheese Collective AgreementYou will be provided a copy of the The Bega Cheese Collective Agreement 2007 on joining Bega Cheese. The Agreement is a legally binding document that details the employment relationship and conditions for all non-salaried employees of Bega Cheese. However many conditions in the Agreement apply to all employees.We encourage you to read your Agreement and address any queries you may have with your supervisor or the Human Resources Manager. You are also encouraged to contact a member of the Joint Consultative Committee if you do not clearly understand the meaning of any part of the Agreement. Grievances and DisputesThe Bega Enterprise Agreement includes an agreed step-by-step procedure to resolve employee grievances or disputes fairly, quickly and efficiently. The objectives of the grievance procedure are to:
You should always raise and discuss any grievance you may have with your supervisor or manager. Such discussions will never be held against you, regardless of the outcome. Contract of EmploymentEvery employee is given a letter of appointment before starting work with the Company. This letter sets out your terms and conditions of work, such as:
Your employment is subject to your contract of employment, the Bega Enterprise Award, Federal and State Legislation, and common law. Position DescriptionsA position description is a document setting out why a position exists and what is expected of the person who fills it. The Human Resources Manager uses position descriptions when recruiting new employees.It is the objective of Bega Cheese that all employees are issued with a position description upon commencement. Employees will use the position description as their primary statement of duties, responsibilities, reporting relationship and authority. Your position description may be revised at any time following a major change, rationalisation or reorganization. InductionInduction is the process of settling a new employee in their position with Bega Cheese. Its purpose is to provide you with information about the Company in general and about the work site and department where you will be working; and to provide training in the job you will be doing in your specified work area. Induction usually covers the first three months of your employment. The process varies but will include:
Employment of Friends and RelativesIt is the highest compliment to Bega Cheese that you may recommend your friends and relatives to the Company for employment. We welcome the opportunity to assess their suitability for positions, however they will need to progress via the normal external and internal recruitment channels, and there will be no preferential treatment given.Leave and Other Absences from WorkYou have a responsibility to the Company and to your fellow employees to minimise, if you can, any disruption or inconvenience that your absence from work might cause. In particular, if you will be away for an extended period, such as long service or parental leave, the Company needs time to plan for your absence.If you are going to be away from work, for any reason, you are expected to contact your supervisor or department manager. In general, you apply for leave by filling in an "Application for Leave" form, and giving it to your supervisor or manager. In some cases you must attach supporting documents to your application. Annual LeaveYou are entitled to four weeks leave each year. This entitlement commences after 12 months continuous service. If you are covered by the Bega Enterprise Agreement you will be paid a leave loading of 17.5 percent, which is calculated as a percentage of your normal pay.Your entitlement accumulates if you don't take the leave when it falls due. However, you are required to take your leave each year, unless you have made other acceptable arrangements due to unusual personal circumstances. Your request for leave will be accommodated whenever possible, however due to the size of the workforce and departmental operational needs, this may not always be possible. In most departments you will need to complete an "Annual Leave Form", which must be authorised by your supervisor. Your leave application form should be sent to the Pay Office at least 1 week before you commence your leave. This will ensure that your holiday pay gets into your bank account before you go on leave. Your holiday pay is deposited into your bank account with your normal pay. If you have any accumulated leave entitlement on termination of employment you will be paid for it. Sick LeaveBega Cheese employees have an excellent record of attendance over the Company's history and their loyalty has been recognized and rewarded by providing generous support to employees with prolonged illness.Sick leave is provided for times when you are too ill to work. You are entitled to 5 days sick leave in your first year of employment and 10 days every year after and your entitlement accumulates. Letting your sick leave accumulate has the advantage of providing a supply of paid leave in case you have a long period of unexpected illness. You must advise your supervisor of absences due to illness at the earliest opportunity. If you were away for more than 2 days a medical certificate will be required. Employees with certain diseases and conditions will not be permitted in the plant because of their infectious characteristics. They include Glandular Fever, Ringworm, Impetigo, Scabies, Headlice and other communicable diseases. Employees suffering from any of the above must have a clearance from their Doctor before returning to work. If you are in doubt about this situation at any time during employment then please speak to your supervisor before returning to work. Long Service LeaveWith the exception of pro-rata payment upon termination, long service leave is in accordance with the Long Service Leave Act, which provides 13 weeks leave for 15 years service. You may request pro-rata long service leave after ten years service.At Bega Cheese, if you leave the Company after five or more years of continuous service, then you are entitled to be paid your long service leave on a pro-rata basis. This compares to the usual standard of 10 years service before you are entitled to pro-rata payment upon termination. Parental LeaveYou are entitled to leave in relation to the birth or adoption of a child if:
Absence on parental leave is not considered an interruption to your continuity of service, but the leave is not included in calculating your length of service, nor do you accrue any leave entitlements during the leave period. When you return from parental leave, the Company will make your former position available if possible; if not, we will find another position for you as close as possible in status and pay to your former position. Further details outlining conditions and entitlements are available from the Human Resources Manager. Bereavement LeaveYou are entitled to leave following the death of a member of your family.
Family LeaveThere are provisions for employees to access Family Leave when caring for an ill or dependent family member, as detailed in the Bega Enterprise Agreement.Jury and Witness DutyYou will be paid as normal for any time you spend doing jury duty or appearing as a court witness, less the amount of any payments made to you by the court.Voluntary Military Training and Community Service LeaveYou are entitled to leave if you are taking part in voluntary military training with the armed forces. You must provide documentary evidence of the training, and of any payment you receive for it.Requests for leave for community service in emergency situations, such as rural fire service call out, will be considered on an individual basis. Study LeaveBega Cheese supports employees who participate in external studies for their professional development. Requests for study leave to assist with your preparation for examinations will be considered on an individual basis.Equal Employment OpportunityEqual employment opportunity means that merit must always be the guiding principle in selecting, training, remunerating and promoting employees. Decisions on these matters must not be influenced by factors irrelevant to the job, such as a person's age, colour, intellectual impairment, marital status, national origin, parental status, political conviction, pregnancy, race, religious belief, sex or sexual preference.Equal employment opportunity is more than a set of rules. It is an attitude that is reflected in our Company Values and requires all employees to deal with each other fairly and equally, without regard to irrelevant personal factors. DiscriminationEqual employment opportunity is intended to eliminate discrimination in the workplace. Discrimination takes many forms. There is conscious discrimination on the grounds, say, of sex or race; and there is unconscious discrimination that often takes the form of assumptions about the suitability of particular people for employment, training or promotion opportunities.If you experience or observe discrimination in the workplace, bring it to the attention of your supervisor or manager or, if more appropriate, to the Human Resources Manager. Any reports of discrimination will be treated seriously and will be thoroughly investigated resulting in disciplinary action if necessary. Sexual HarassmentSexual harassment is any behaviour that pays sexual attention to another person that is
If you experience or observe sexual harassment in the workplace, bring it to the attention of your supervisor or manager or, if more appropriate, to the Human Resources Manager. Any reports of sexual harassment will be treated seriously, confidentially and will be thoroughly investigated. Sexual harassment by Bega Cheese employees will not be tolerated and may result in instant dismissal and possible legal action. Training and DevelopmentBega Cheese is committed to training and development, for the mutual benefit of employees and the Company:
Bega Cheese will undertake training and retraining of employees as required, whether formal, internal or external, to assist employees to maintain and develop their level of skill and knowledge. Career Paths & Internal Job ApplicationsA career path is a sequence of positions you may take within the Company and the skills you may gain, during your work life. This progression and development is unlikely to follow a fixed pattern from start to finish; but nor is it a matter of chance. It involves planning and actively seeking opportunities for development and advancement in the directions you want to pursue.To encourage employees to take new job opportunities, positions vacant are generally advertised internally and preferential consideration is given to internal applicants. This does not mean, however, that an internal applicant will necessarily be given the job. The successful applicant will be the person with the skills, qualifications, aptitude, and personal qualities best suited to the position. Performance ReviewsFeedback about how you are performing your job is important, it enables you to improve your performance, identify training that you may benefit from, receive praise and discuss further career opportunities.This feedback may be informal and irregular, or formal such as for managerial positions at Bega Cheese. Salaries and WagesBega Cheese aims to maintain a salary and wage structure that is fair and equitable, and that compares favourably with other companies.Salaries for managerial employees are reviewed annually and are monitored to ensure they remain competitive both within the industry and within professional areas. If you are paid a salary you will receive your pay no later than the 15th of each month. Wage structures are determined in accordance with the Bega Enterprise Agreement that defines job classifications and the associated wage rates. The wage rates of the Bega Enterprise Agreement, along with other conditions are renegotiated on a regular basis through the Joint Consultative Committee. Wages are paid weekly on Wednesday, and the pay week commences on Sunday and finishes on Saturday. Your wages are calculated on the basis of your time cards. It is your responsibility to clock on and off each day. Failure to do this may result in incorrect payment. Any employee found clocking on or off for another employee, or looking at another employees timecard may be subject to instant dismissal or other disciplinary measures. All salaries and wages are paid by direct deposit into the bank, building society or credit union account nominated by you. You will be required to confirm in writing the account details for your pay to be deposited to prior to receiving your first pay. You can change your banking details simply by notifying the Payroll Office in writing. Certain deductions may be taken from your pay. These include superannuation, health insurance and other work related fees. To have deductions made from your pay, first check with the Pay Office that the particular deductions can be made and then you will need to request the deductions in writing. SuperannuationBega Cheese contributes the required level of superannuation for employees, in accordance with legislation. Bega Cheese has an approved Company Superannuation Fund operating with MLC Life Limited. Your superannuation contributions shall be directed to the Company Superannuation Fund unless otherwise directed in writing by the employee.The fund caters for all types of employee, whether full-time, part-time and casual. Membership of the fund provides you with benefits on retirement, death, disablement, and resignation. Full details of contributions and fund benefits are too detailed to summarise in this handbook. Separate brochures on the fund, and its most recent annual report, are available from the Payroll Office. The obligation of Bega Cheese to contribute to your superannuation fund shall cease on the last day of your employment with Bega Cheese. Staff BenefitsThe Bega Cheese products produced at Bega are available at staff prices from our Heritage Centre. You will need to show your staff discount card or pay slip to obtain the staff discount.AmenitiesCanteen facilities including tea and coffee, microwaves, fridges and snack and drink vending machines are available for all employees. All your meal requirements are your responsibility.LockersAll factory staff are provided lockers to keep your personal belongings. You will be issued your locker on commencement. It is recommended that you do not keep valuable items in your locker, as the Company will not be held responsible for any loss that may occur from them.Lockers are to be kept clean and clear of clutter. No items of food should be kept in your locker as it encourages cockroaches and other pests. Locker keys must be returned at the completion of your employment. Counselling and Disciplinary ProceduresYou are expected to maintain a fair and reasonable level of productivity in your work, and to follow all reasonable instructions. If your performance in any area, such as attendance, punctuality, performance safety or compliance with Company policies and standards is unsatisfactory, the counselling and disciplinary procedure will be used to try to resolve the situation. There are minimum standards of performance set down in the classification levels detailed in the Bega Enterprise Agreement. These are very important standards and you should ensure you understand and practice them.The counselling and disciplinary procedures are also detailed in the Bega Enterprise Agreement. The following represents a brief summary of the procedures that apply to all employees. If you exhibit unsatisfactory performance or behaviour you shall be counselled so that you understand the standards expected of you and will be offered assistance and guidance in achieving those standards. You will be given adequate time to demonstrate a willingness or attempt to improve. If you show no willingness or attempt to improve, or if you fall below standard in other areas to the extent that a warning is warranted, further disciplinary action may be taken. This may include official verbal or written warnings that may ultimately lead to the termination of employment. At all stages of the formal disciplinary procedure you will be entitled to have another chosen employee representative present as a witness. Your supervisor or manager will provide helpful feedback and support to employees during their probation period, normally 3 months. Unsatisfactory performance during the probation period may lead to termination of employment without necessarily following the formal disciplinary process. Summary DismissalThe counselling and discipline procedure shall not limit the right of Bega Cheese to summarily dismiss you for serious or wilful misconduct. You can be dismissed without warning for acts of misconduct. Incidents of misconduct that may lead to instant dismissal include:
SeparationsSeparation refers to all forms of termination of employment, for whatever reason. All separations will be handled fairly, and with integrity. The main types of separation are:Abandonment: you have abandoned your employment if you simply stop coming to work or don't return form leave. This is a breach of your contract of employment, as fully detailed in the Bega Enterprise Agreement. Dismissal: This means that Bega Cheese terminates your contract of employment, either summarily because of misconduct on you part, or following disciplinary procedures as a result of continued sub-standard performance. Resignation: This means that you decide you don't want to work for Bega Cheese anymore. You must give notice as set out in your contract of employment, usually one week or one month. Retirement: This means that you finish work and leave the workforce permanently. The separation process normally involves:
Termination Payments Termination payments are set according to legislation and the Bega Enterprise Award. You will be paid on your final day of employment by direct credit to your usual account. A final pay-slip will be provided, showing all payments made to you at the completion of your employment. References Bega Cheese will not provide written references. However, on request the Human Resources Department will issue a certificate of service to confirm the nature and period of an employee's employment. Personal RecordsYou should let the Payroll Office know if there is any change to the basic personal information you provided on your original employment application. In particular, the Payroll Office should always know your home address and phone number, next of kin, and whom to contact in an emergency.Confidentiality and MediaIn the course of your employment you may become aware of sensitive commercial or technical information. This information is confidential and valuable and as an employee you have a duty to maintain the confidentiality of this information. You may be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement when you start with Bega Cheese, but even without such an agreement Bega Cheese has the right to take legal action if you deliberately reveal confidential information without permission.All records, documentation, notes and other information, in full or in part, obtained during the course of employment will be treated as confidential and remain the exclusive property of Bega Cheese and are not to be used for personal gain or to cause harm to the Company. No records, documentation, notes or other information shall be duplicated, copied or removed in any way whatsoever from the Company's premises, unless expressly approved by your Department Manager. You should develop an attitude of discretion towards Company information, even if it does not seem, to you, to be sensitive or important. Make it a rule not to discuss Company matters with outsiders or in a public manner. Bega Cheese recognises that it may acquire sensitive personal information about you, such as about your health in relation to a workers compensation claim. There are very strict confidentiality rules about the handling of personal information and therefore access to personal files is closely controlled. Parts of our business can be newsworthy at times, attracting interest from all areas of the media. Public statements can only be made by the Chairman of the Board, or Group General Manager. If you are approached for a comment by any representative of the media, politely decline and refer the enquiry to your manager. VehiclesIf you are allocated a Company vehicle, you will receive a copy of the policy covering its use with your letter of appointment.Use of Private Vehicles on Company Business Company vehicles, rather than private vehicles, should be used for Company business whenever possible. If a Company vehicle is not available, and consequently a private vehicle is used for approved Company business, then subject to your manager's approval, the Company will pay an allowance based on kilometres travelled. Fines Bega Cheese will not pay any fines you incur whilst undertaking Company business. 5. SafetyMany of our operations have potential dangers: heavy machinery, vehicles, chemicals, heat sources, high voltage electricity and extensive manual handling. Bega Cheese provides safety equipment, procedures and training; but ultimately, safety depends on the safety-consciousness of all employees.You must always have a positive and active approach to safety. This means:
Occupational Health and Safety ConsultationBega Cheese has a safety committee and employee representation that provides all employees an opportunity to participate in occupational health and safety issues. The committee and /or representatives may consider any aspect of health and safety in the workplace, including:
Safety TrainingSafety training is an integral part of all workplace training. This reflects the fact you don't know how to do the job unless you know how to do it safely. Bega Cheese has a continuing commitment to train all staff in occupational health and safety.The safety committee helps to identify training needs and communicates these to the appropriate managers. You should request training if you believe that training will assist you to do your job in a safer way. Emergency Evacuation ProceduresPrompt, effective emergency response reduces potential accidental injury and losses. During an emergency there is not time to decide who is in charge, to identify sources of help, or to train people for emergency response. These things must be done in advance and therefore Bega Cheese has developed specific procedures for the two sites.Lagoon Street Plant Emergency and Evacuation Procedures There is an alarm system that can be operated from 14 separate positions throughout the plant. The alarm has two settings, one is a standby or warning signal, the second is an evacuation signal. The standby signal requires you to be prepared to shut down machinery, to identify your nearest safe exit, and look to your warden for direction. If the evacuation signal is given, then move in an orderly manner to your closest exit point and then proceed to your nominated emergency assembly area. You have a trained warden in your work area and there are emergency control personnel in the Administration offices. You will be introduced to your warden during induction. Become familiar with the evacuation site plans displayed around the plant, and participate fully in the evacuation drills that are conducted. Ridge Street Plant Emergency Evacuation Procedures The site is protected by a sophisticated fire alarm system. The air inside the plant is being constantly monitored. Smoke or any other contaminants will trigger the alarm. You have a trained warden in your work area and there are emergency control personnel in the Administration offices. You will be introduced to your warden during induction. Should the fire alarm sound, be ready to shut down machinery and move to the nearest safe exit. However do not evacuate unless directed to be your area warden or unless there is a direct threat to your personal safety. When the fire alarm sounds the area warden will investigate the problem and if an evacuation is necessary, air horns will be sounded throughout the plant letting you know to move in an orderly manner to your assembly area outside the building. You should become familiar with the evacuation site plans displayed around the plant, and participate fully in the evacuation drills that are conducted. Personal Protective EquipmentAs far as possible, we try to design work procedures and environments to remove workplace hazards. Where this is not possible we provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent injury to employees. PPE includes: earmuffs, ear plugs, face shield, goggles, safety boots, rubber gloves, bump hat, hard hat and apron.It is a condition of your employment that you wear or use all personal protective equipment issued to you, at all times as directed. Breaches of this condition are treated in the same way as other workplace issues, and are subject to counselling and disciplinary procedures. Your Supervisor will advise you of the PPE requirements for your work area, on commencement of employment. Manual HandlingManual handling is any activity that requires the use of force exerted by a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain an object.Every job in the factory requires some degree of physical effort. Cheese blocks weigh around 20kg and pallets around 30kg. It is possible to hurt yourself lifting any weight incorrectly, so follow these simple rules: Do: Don't: Repetitive Work & Job RotationThe nature of work on our production lines involves repetitive task and movements. We have implemented job rotation practices whereby production line employees change work tasks and lines work regularly to help reduce repetitive work injuries. Job rotation also provides variety of work, an increase in skill and greater job satisfaction.Employees are requested to undertake muscular warm-up exercises when commencing work or returning from a break. If you suffer from any shoulder, wrist or hand irritation, discomfort or pain you must report this to your Supervisor. MachineryNever operate machinery unless you have been trained on site to do so. Never reach under, through or over any guard and always ensure you know exactly how to stop any machine you are working with. Do not try to fix any problems with machinery yourself, report any breakdowns or defects to your leading hand or supervisor immediately.If a machine or item of equipment has been tagged: "don't operate" or "do not remove", check with your supervisor as to when the machine may be used. Activating a tagged machine or equipment could cause serious injury to you or other employees. Only trained, licensed and authorised employees or contractors are permitted to drive or operate forklift trucks or heavy vehicles on site. Learner forklift drivers must first complete an introductory training session, then be issued with a log-book and be allocated a qualified trainer, who will closely supervise their training. Hazardous SubstancesDuring the course of your work you may come into contact with a wide variety of substances. These include, chemicals used in cleaning and sanitation, gases such as ammonia and fuels like propane. Dust, vapours and fumes can also be hazardous substances. All of these substances have been assessed as being safe to work with in our production process, provided the correct handling procedures are followed.If you at any time experience any sensitive or allergic condition you must report it immediately to your supervisor. The following points must be observed when dealing with hazardous substances:
Safety SignsSafety signs are used on site to draw your attention to objects and situations that can affect your health and safety, including hazards, what to do in an emergency, safety requirements, PPE, and site rules.There are five types of signs in place on the Bega Cheese sites that must be obeyed at all times. They are PPE, Prohibited, Safety, Hazard and General signs. Signs are posted at the entrances and exits of areas that are controlled by the information on the sign. Please ask your leading hand if you do not know what a sign in your work area means. (Signs and explanations could be included here) Accident & Incident ReportingIf you are injured at work, no matter how minor the injury, you must:
You must also report all near misses e.g. a carton falls from racking, dangerous incidents e.g. an escape of steam, and unsafe conditions e.g. machine guard missing. This will help us prevent accidents from occurring in the future. Supervisors and managers will investigate all incidents, accidents and injuries. Often the safety committee and other relevant employees will assist managers in these investigations. Workers Compensation and RehabilitationA Workers Compensation Form should be completed for any accident or injury that needs medical assistance or requires you to take time off work.Workers Compensation ensures that you do not experience a loss of income or incur expenses for an injury or illness you suffered in the work place. In the case of medical treatment being required, employees may visit the Doctor of their choice or if convenient, the Company's on-site medical consultant. If time off work is required, a WorkCover Certificate must be obtained from the treating Doctor. Bega Cheese may discuss your medical treatment and return to work conditions with your treating Doctor. This will encourage a return to work as soon as possible. A return to work plan possibly involving alternative duties, may be implemented under the guidance of an accredited rehabilitation coordinator. The return to work plan will help ensure a safe and speedy recovery from your injury. A Workers Compensation/rehabilitation time-frame is detailed in the Bega Cheese Agreement. In summary, this provides a generous time-frame for injury management and outlines the important responsibilities that both Bega Cheese and the injured employee need to follow. In the event that you suffer a significant injury at work, your own situation will be discussed with you, so that you are quite clear about the Workers Compensation process. Visitors and ContractorsAll visitors and contractors to the Bega Cheese sites must comply with the safety policies and requirements. Visitors include: employees from other sites, members of the public, VIPs, employee's families, customers and office staff. Visitors and contractors must be made aware of the health and safety requirements of the site, by their host.The Heritage Centre and public viewing area attracts a large number of visitors to the Lagoon Street site, and employees are required to be mindful of public safety, production presentation and Company image in dealing with our visitors. First Aid and Emergency PersonnelOn your first day of employment the work area supervisor will introduce you to the designated First Aiders and show you the First Aid Room that can be utilised in the event of injury.First Aid kits are restocked regularly by the First Aiders. Each First Aiders has completed an accredited First Aid course and undertakes reexamination on a regular basis. In the event that you require access to a first aid kit, then please ensure you do so through a First Aider. You will also be introduced to the work area Fire Warden who has the responsibility of overseeing the work area in an emergency. Fire Wardens and First Aiders can be identified by labels on their bump hats. 6. Food SafetySanitationSanitation is an important aspect of cleaning in food production industry. Sanitation involves the destruction of micro-organisms that could make food unfit for consumption. Bega Cheese has a special sanitation team that attends to most of the detailed cleaning task; however you play an important role too. This involves following good housekeeping procedures and in some work areas such as 'red line', using ethanol spray to decontaminate gloves and on occasions hard surfaces that unwrapped cheese comes into contact with. You also help greatly by having good personal hygiene.Personal HygieneWe all carry harmful bacteria on and in our bodies that can contaminate food and cause food poisoning. You have a moral and legal responsibility not to contaminate food. The Bega Cheese hygiene procedure must be followed at all times, and includes the following key areas.Hands and Skin Hands must be washed thoroughly using hot water and liquid soap:
Fingernails Fingernails may harbour bacteria, so they must be kept short and clean. No nail polish or false nails may be worn as it may contaminate food and may hide dirty nails. Cuts and Abrasions Cover all cuts and abrasions with company approved waterproof dressings to avoid food contamination from bacteria. These special wound coverings have a metal strip within that will be detected by a metal detector should a dressing end up in a food product. Hair We lose about 100 hairs every day. Hair and dandruff are a risk to our product, so you must:
Product HygieneThe reputation of Bega Cheese reflects the quality of our product, and product hygiene is essential to ensure the high quality of our product.
Employee HealthEmployees should only attend work if they are in good health, as illnesses in the workplace can impact on the work environment, spreading germs to other employees and potentially contaminating product.Employee ClothingAll staff are expected to uphold our high quality image by maintaining a clean, tidy dress standard at all times.All factory staff are provided with clothing which must be worn. Any other staff member who is not provided with the appropriate clothing must wear a white coat and shoe covers, within the factory, which are available from central locations at each site. Uniforms and footwear are not to be worn offsite. Only Company supplied uniforms are to be worn on site. Clothing requirements are as follows: Production Staff – Ridge Street Blue Line Area:
Non Production Staff
No Smoking PolicyBega Cheese has a policy that restricts smoking to designated smoking areas. We strictly enforce our restricted smoking policy and employees who fail to adhere to the policy may be subject to disciplinary procedures.JewelryThe Company's restriction on the wearing of jewelry in manufacturing, packaging or maintenance areas exists in order to reduce the risk of metal or glass contaminating cheese products.Bega Cheese requires its employees, contractors and visitors to adhere to the following:
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