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Food Manufacturing
Detect workplace hazards. Protect your people.
Food manufacturing is expected to be significantly affected by the updated Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) commencing on 1 December 2026, with changes relevant to contaminants encountered across food production environments.
From bakeries and ingredient processing to meat, dairy, beverage and large-scale food production, everyday activities can generate airborne contaminants. Flour and ingredient dusts, cleaning chemicals, refrigeration systems, welding and maintenance activities, and diesel-powered equipment all warrant review as businesses prepare for the new limits.
Find out what changes are relevant to your industry.
The checklist should identify activities and exposures that may be relevant to the business. It should not imply that completing the checklist demonstrates compliance.
If your business undertakes any of the following activities, the revised Workplace Exposure Limits may affect your workplace.
Flour & Powder Handling
Ingredient Weighing & Mixing
Food Processing
Cleaning & Sanitation
Refrigeration Systems
Welding & Maintenance
Forklift Operations
Grain Processing
Packaging & Production
Common Workplace Hazards: Flour dust, ingredient dusts
Primary Workplace Exposure Considerations: Dust generated during tipping, weighing, transferring and handling powdered ingredients
Recommended JTA Services: Occupational Hygiene Assessment, Workplace Exposure Monitoring
Common Workplace Hazards: Flour dust, powdered ingredients, additives
Primary Workplace Exposure Considerations: Airborne dust generated during weighing, tipping and mixing
Recommended JTA Services: Occupational Hygiene Assessment, Workplace Exposure Monitoring
Common Workplace Hazards: Dusts, fumes, vapours and process-specific contaminants
Primary Workplace Exposure Considerations: Exposure varies according to ingredients, production processes and equipment
Recommended JTA Services: Occupational Hygiene Assessment
Common Workplace Hazards: Cleaning chemicals, vapours, aerosols and mists
Primary Workplace Exposure Considerations: Chemical exposure during mixing, spraying, foaming and sanitation activities
Recommended JTA Services: Occupational Hygiene Assessment, Workplace Exposure Monitoring
Common Workplace Hazards: Refrigerants and refrigeration chemicals
Primary Workplace Exposure Considerations: Potential exposure during leaks, maintenance and servicing
Recommended JTA Services: Occupational Hygiene Assessment
Common Workplace Hazards: Welding fumes, metal particulates, grinding dusts, solvents and degreasers
Primary Workplace Exposure Considerations: Multiple airborne contaminants during maintenance and repair activities
Recommended JTA Services: Occupational Hygiene Assessment, Workplace Exposure Monitoring
Common Workplace Hazards: Diesel engine exhaust
Primary Workplace Exposure Considerations: Diesel particulate matter, particularly where diesel equipment operates indoors or in enclosed areas
Recommended JTA Services: Occupational Hygiene Assessment, Workplace Exposure Monitoring
Common Workplace Hazards: Grain dust, flour dust and other airborne particulates
Primary Workplace Exposure Considerations: Dust generated during conveying, transfer, milling and processing
Recommended JTA Services: Occupational Hygiene Assessment, Workplace Exposure Monitoring
Common Workplace Hazards: Process-generated airborne contaminants
Primary Workplace Exposure Considerations: Exposure to contaminants generated by production or adjoining processes
Recommended JTA Services: Occupational Hygiene Assessment
Consultant Video Library
Food Manufacturing Knowledge Centre
Detect workplace hazards. Protect your people.
Identify workplace hazards through Occupational Hygiene Assessments, workplace inspections and hazard identification.
Assess potential worker exposure and undertake Workplace Exposure Monitoring where required.
Eliminate exposure where reasonably practicable or reduce it so far as is reasonably practicable, prioritising higher-order controls.
Review control effectiveness through ongoing assessment and further monitoring where required.
Join JTA's Occupational Hygienists for a practical breakfast seminar covering:
The revised WELs affect a range of airborne contaminants relevant to food manufacturing. Businesses should identify which substances and processes apply to their workplace and review existing controls before 1 December 2026.
No. The need for monitoring depends on the contaminants present, potential worker exposure and existing controls. An Occupational Hygiene Assessment can help determine whether monitoring is required.
Yes. Tipping, weighing, mixing, transferring and cleaning can generate airborne flour and ingredient dust. Businesses should identify where exposure occurs and implement appropriate controls.
Some substances used or generated during cleaning and sanitation may have Workplace Exposure Limits. Businesses should consider the chemicals used, application methods, ventilation and potential worker exposure.
Industrial refrigeration systems can introduce additional chemical hazards. Businesses should consider the substances used, potential leaks and exposure during maintenance or servicing.
Yes. Diesel engine exhaust can expose operators and nearby workers, particularly where equipment operates indoors or in enclosed or partially enclosed areas.
The results can identify activities contributing to exposure and help determine appropriate controls. Businesses should prioritise elimination and higher-order controls where reasonably practicable.
JTA can identify workplace hazards, assess potential worker exposure, undertake monitoring where required and recommend practical controls.
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139 Ormond Road Elwood, VIC 3184
Mornington Peninsula
20 Lister Avenue,
Sorrento,
VIC 3943
JTA Health, Safety & Noise Specialists acknowledges the Boon Wurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which the home of JTA resides. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.
