Bulla Dairy implements COVID-safe technology

Following a successful trial period at its Colac site in Victoria, Bulla Dairy Foods (Bulla) has implemented a wearable contact tracing technology called Smart Badge across its sites, allowing the business to increase contact tracing efforts.

The small, wearable wristband device is worn by any team member, visitor or contractor at the food manufacturing site. It has been introduced as part of Bulla’s COVID-safe protocols, which include daily fitness-for-work declarations, temperature checking upon arrival, onsite COVID marshals, mask wearing, and increasing the availability of common areas such as change rooms and meal areas to minimise cross-contamination.

The technology is enabling Bulla to support efficient management of contact tracing in the event of a positive case and social distancing between workers, as well as maintaining capacity limits across the business. This is achieved by working in tandem with ‘nodes’ placed at the entrances to sites and key communal areas, capturing data in real time and providing enhanced contact tracing logs for the Bulla team.

As one of Colac’s major employers, providing approximately 700 jobs locally, Bulla CEO Allan Hood believes it was the dairy processor’s responsibility to its team and the broader local community to increase safety measures and introduce the technology across the business.

“The pandemic has been full of unknowns both for individuals and businesses, but one thing that remains the same for our Bulla family is that the safety of our team is our first priority. We’re thrilled to have partnered with Smart Badge as it’s been a seamless fit with our COVID-safe protocols and ensures the strength and safety of our working environment during COVID times.

“In addition to being an incredible assurance for the health and safety of our team, the technology has enabled us to effectively manage existing shift segregation, allowing precious minutes to be refocused back on to our production line, creating assurances for the future of our business as well,” said Hood.

With a rich 110-year history under its belt, Bulla has survived two world wars, a GFC and now two pandemics. As a business steeped in innovation, it is no stranger to pivoting and innovating to thrive in the wake of global events.

Bulla’s General Manager of People & Culture, Jacinta Munro, who has been instrumental in the rollout and success of Smart Badge at Bulla, highlights how important using COVID-safe technology is for an employer brand.

“The rollout of Smart Badge has been met with fantastic employee and union support and it has really been about letting our team know that their wellbeing is our first priority. The technology was implemented during one of our biggest recruitment drives to date, in a year when we have welcomed nearly 200 new team members to our sites in Colac, and it’s our pride and privilege to showcase to the local community as well as the wider business community how we emulate a safe workplace of the future through our COVID-safe protocols,” said Munro.