Exceptional safety innovations and achievements

Business brief
Duane Oxford
General Manager M&IS Eastern Region

As we have just recently closed out the 2024/25 financial year, I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of our teams and celebrate some of the exceptional safety innovations and achievements over the past 12 months.

I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together and invite you to join me in congratulating this year’s award recipients:

Best Innovation and Most Innovative

Winner: Gladstone Operations with their Forklift Load and Securing Device

In response to the risks posed by unsecured forklift loads, Kellie Davidson and Lloyd Croaker spearheaded the development of a purpose-built securing device designed to enhance load stability during forklift operations. The solution aptly named ForkSure significantly reduces the risk of load movement or falls, strengthens compliance with HSE requirements, and offers a practical, cost-effective solution that is simple to deploy and scalable across multiple sites.

Most Improved

Winner: Bulga Coal in NSW

After experiencing poor HSE performance in the previous year, the Bulga Coal team delivered a remarkable safety turnaround, achieving a significant increase in working hours, a notable reduction in AIFR, and no recordable or significant incidents. This improvement was underpinned by strong performance in leading indicators, including high completion rates of safety interactions, Field Risk Control Verifications (FRCVs), and proactive close-out of corrective actions. The result reflects the team’s deep commitment to improving safety performance and culture.

Best Overall HSE Performance

Winner: Gunnedah in NSW

Gunnedah’s outstanding HSE performance reflects excellence across both lagging and leading safety indicators. On the lagging side, the team recorded zero recordable injuries or serious incidents, sustained a low AIFR, and safely managed high exposure hours. Even more impressive is their achievement of 100% completion across all key leading indicators, including Field Risk Control Verifications (FRCVs), Safety Interactions, LTSW-S training, and the timely close-out of corrective actions. This comprehensive and proactive approach demonstrates Gunnedah’s strong safety culture and unwavering commitment to continuous improvement at every level of their operations.

Each winning team will receive a gift or voucher valued at $1,000 in recognition of their achievement.

Thank you all for your continued commitment, innovation, and contribution to safety across our business. I look forward to building on this momentum in the year ahead.

Stay safe and keep innovating.