The WA pork processor won the award for developing an innovative carton erector that forms up to seven different sized cartons.

PPC's in-house engineering department, in conjunction with Visy Packaging, successfully installed the carton erector, the first automated system to produce more than one size carton.

Following significant investment in infrastructure and upgrades to its boning room and other production areas, PPC Linley Valley has had a substantial increase in throughput and output, resulting in a greater demand for improved productivity.

PPC has an annual throughput of about 500,000 pigs at its export accredited Wooroloo works, with meat packed each day increasing from 400 cartons to more than 2000.

Carton assembly is physically demanding and can lead to greater physical pressure on workers. The new carton erector significantly reduces the risk of manual handling related incidents.

The award was presented during the Safety Achievers Dinner, at the Hyatt Regency Perth, as part of Safe Work Australia week.

PPC occupational health and safety coordinator, Stacey Bohm, said it recognised the company's commitment to providing a safe working environment for all employees.

"The new carton erector is the first of its kind and we've experienced no manual handling injuries since its introduction," she said.

"The innovation is a credit to our engineering department, together with Visy and has great potential for use across numerous industries."

PPC's carton erector will now be entered in the Safe Work Australia awards, with national winners to be announced in early 2010.