Bega | CASE STUDY
Enhancing Workplace Safety an Aussie Icon
Bega Group is one of Australia’s most recognized and trusted food and beverage companies, with a rich history dating back over 120 years. Known for its iconic Bega Cheese, the company has expanded into a diverse portfolio of brands, including Vegemite, Dairy Farmers, Pura, and Yoplait. With a strong commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation, Bega Group operates multiple manufacturing facilities across Australia, ensuring that millions of Australians enjoy its products every day.
With their focus on safety and compliance, Bega Group consistently invests in enhancing workplace environments to ensure their infrastructure meets the highest standards.
The Challenge: Outdated, Non-Compliant Stair Access
During a routine inspection, Bega Group identified that their existing timber staircase—providing access to their chiller plant—posed a serious safety risk. The staircase had deteriorated over time due to exposure to the elements, making it increasingly unstable and slippery when wet.
In addition to safety concerns, the old staircase did not comply with Australian Standard AS1657-2018, leaving Bega exposed to potential legal risks should an employee or contractor suffer an accident while using it.
Given their commitment to ensuring a safe work environment, Bega Group approached Workplace Defender to provide a durable, compliant, and effective solution.
Why Bega Group Chose Workplace Defender
Bega Group entrusted Workplace Defender with this project based on our long-standing relationship with the site. Before Bega took ownership, we had successfully delivered bespoke safety solutions for previous facility owners Lion and Pura.
Our experience in working with aging facilities and our reputation for delivering tailored solutions that align with AS 1657-2018 standards made us the ideal partner for the job.
The Solution: Custom-Designed Aluminium Staircase
Our process began with a comprehensive design phase, during which we collaborated closely with Bega Group’s team to understand their requirements. This phase involved detailed consultations and several design iterations to ensure the final structure met the end user’s needs.
The final design included:
✅ High-strength, corrosion-resistant aluminium construction to withstand weather exposure and ensure long-term durability.
✅ Non-slip treads and platforms to improve worker stability and safety, particularly in wet conditions.
✅ Guardrails and handrails for added fall protection and improved confidence when accessing the chiller plant.
✅ A design that ensured full AS1657-2018 compliance to meet Australian safety standards.
Efficient Fabrication & Installation
One of the standout aspects of this project was the efficiency of our fabrication process. Thanks to Marty’s precision fabrication expertise, the entire system was fully assembled in our factory before being transported to the site.
By pre-building the staircase offsite, we:
✅ Minimized on-site installation time to just 1.5 days
✅ Identified and resolved potential design issues in the factory, avoiding costly delays during installation
✅ Delivered a fully compliant system ready for immediate use
This process ensured minimal disruption to Bega Group’s operations. The Outcome: Safe, Secure, and Fully Compliant Access
The new staircase now provides safe, stable, and compliant access to Bega Group’s chiller plant, allowing maintenance teams to safely and efficiently carry out essential tasks.
With this upgrade, Bega Group has:
✅ Eliminated the risk of slips and falls on a deteriorating timber staircase
✅ Ensured compliance with AS1657-2018 safety standards
✅ Enhanced operational efficiency with a durable, long-term solution
Proactive Safety for a Safer Future
By investing in a tailored, compliant staircase system, Bega Group has reinforced their commitment to workplace safety and created a safer working environment for their employees.
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