This guide has been developed to assist maintenance personnel to set up and implement systems, and work safely to help ensure a safe and healthy working environment for everyone associated with maintenance work in meat processing plants. 

The methods of achieving this are largely set out in work health and safety legislation and associated support materials (such as Codes of Practice, guidance materials and Australian Standards). This WHS guide outlines the compliance requirements under the new, recently enacted WHS legislation that is essentially the same across the whole of Australia (except for WA and Victoria who haven’t yet enacted the new legislation). It should be noted that the new WHS legislation places greater responsibility on senior maintenance managers (who may be deemed ‘officers’ under the new legislation), and the broadening of responsibilities to extend beyond employees to anyone undertaking activities for the business (including contractors).