Autumn Bulletin

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occupational health & safety In the Safety Zone this segment is designed to show the human faces behind workplace safety, as well as giving some insight into the role of health and safety professionals. in the Safety Zone this quarter is Bob Gilpin, risk Manager with racing Victoria. My name is… Bob Gilpin My title is… risk Manager I work for… racing Victoria A typical day at the office would include: There is no typical day! My job generally involves a lot of communication with the racing clubs in the city and country clubs regarding any race day incidents, hazards involving jockeys and track riders, as well as issues relating to any other industry official or member of the public. My day could also involve things like liaising with racing stewards, race day medical teams, and our capital works infrastructure team. I might also follow up on safety audits or site inspections, or follow up with insurers. I also catch up regularly with the rest of the risk Management team, and interact with senior managers throughout the business. My most memorable safety moment happened when I was just a youngster. We had migrated to Australia from Scotland and friends of our family who worked on the West gate Bridge as riggers and welders were injured or killed when the bridge collapsed in 1970. I witnessed the terrible impact on the immediate families and how much distress and anguish the families had to cope with as a result of the accident. It made me aware at an early age of the importance of workplace safety. My greatest achievement in safety so far has been educating and mentoring senior managers and team members and helping to change their behaviour and values when it comes to safety in the workplace. When you see senior managers place safety as the number one item on the agenda for their meetings, it is very satisfying to know that you have played an important role in fostering the mindset that safety is an integral part of the way the organisation does business. the most valuable lesson i have learned about being a safety professional is to keep it simple and practical. Work closely with the business to support the needs of the business, and be a good listener. Another valuable lesson I learned from a previous role at Toyota was “Genchi Genbutsu” which basically means to observe and experience first hand at the coal face so you understand the issues. If you are patient and have a safety strategy supported by senior management you will be able to make continuous sustainable improvements in safety. I think you need to have a good sense of humour as well. if i could send one message about safety to racing Victoria’s Board it would be to continue the commitment and focus on risk management. We are very fortunate to have a Board and senior management team committed to improving safety in the workplace. When i am not at work, i most enjoy spending time with my beautiful wife and children. I am also a soccer (football) tragic. I played soccer (badly) many years ago for Melbourne Juventus and follow the game with a passion. i am passionate about safety because you are in a position where you can influence and educate senior management. This cascades down throughout the organisation and sends a strong message that we care about our employees which, in turn, flows on to their immediate and extended families and friends. <strong>Autumn</strong> 2011 l Workplace Relations & Safety l Page 13
www.landers.com.au Melbourne Level 12, Bourke Place 600 Bourke Street Melbourne VIC 3000 T +61 3 9269 9000 F +61 3 9269 9001 Sydney Level 5, Angel Place 123 Pitt Street Sydney NSW 2000 T +61 2 8020 7700 F +61 2 8020 7701
Page 1 and 2: In this issue: FWA warns employers
Page 3 and 4: Contents click below to go to each
Page 5 and 6: employment FWA warns employers abou
Page 7 and 8: employment MAkinG AMenDS FOr A $1M
Page 9 and 10: industrial relations economic harm
Page 11 and 12: anti-discrimination no discriminati
Page 13 and 14: occupational health & safety Danger
Page 15: occupational health & safety Model

Autumn Bulletin

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