Annual Safety Conference remains a powerful tool in helping create safe work environments

The annual conference remains a powerful tool in helping businesses create and maintain safe work environments and this year’s event is no different with the theme “Safety Leadership: Practical applications for your business & workforce”.

Scheduled for March 24 & 25 in Mackay and organised by Resource Industry Network (RIN), the event boasts an impressive line-up of industry leading experts to ensure conference-goers are up to speed with the latest information on their respective safety topics.

Guest presenters for the plenary sessions include leadership expert Rachael Robertson, psychologist Naomi Armitage, North Queensland Bulk Ports senior safety manager Petrina Hilton, and Queensland University of Technology Professor Brett Heyward, who will speak about safety leadership, why silence is deadly, chronic unease mindsets, and COVID leadership, respectively.

Resource Industry Network general manager Dean Kirkwood said the event was designed so delegates could walk away with practical take aways that could be implemented in the workplace to improve safety.

“With speakers such as Rachael Robertson, the take aways will be both inspiring and practical. Securing Rachael Robertson, who was a renowned figure in the leadership space, is quite a coup for RIN.

“Rachel is an incredible speaker and those who are fortunate to hear her presentation at the Safety Conference will walk away inspired and with a unique perspective on safety leadership,” Mr Kirkwood said.

Rachael Robertson led an expedition to Antarctica and was responsible for the welfare and safety of the 18 members of her team for an entire year. Antarctica in Winter is totally inaccessible, which means once the last ship leaves in February, no one can get in or out of the place, ever, until the ship returns in November. As an Antarctic expedition leader, bestselling author, and leadership expert, Rachael will share her unique insights on leadership which will inspire, challenge, and equip delegates to take the next step in their leadership journey.

The 2022 Safety Conference will also include a selection of breakout sessions in which delegates can choose to attend. The breakout session themes include Safety Leadership, Safety Resets, Load Restraints, Silence is Deadly, Leveraging Data to Prevent Injuries and Work Smarter, COVID Leadership, and Supervision Competencies.

The 2022 event has been reshaped this year to include a second half day of learnings and attendees can select from a full conference package, as well as one-day or half-day packages.

Mr Kirkwood added that it was no secret that workplace safety had been cast under a huge spotlight this past couple of years.

“Workplace accidents take an enormous toll on families, work colleagues, and the extended community,” Mr Kirkwood said.

“Given the rate of workplace accidents experienced in our industry, it is even more critical that business and industry invest their time to attend this year.

“We consistently have great feedback from the day, and it is well supported by the mining houses, industry contractors and local suppliers, all striving for safer workplace outcomes.

“Safety is about leadership. If you want to achieve improvements in health and safety, connect more effectively with your workforce, and learn some very practical skills along the way, the 2022 RIN Safety Conference is a must-attend event,” Mr Kirkwood said.

Major partners of the Safety Conference this year include, Aurizon, Mackay Regional Council, Local Buying Foundation, and Queensland Government’s Office of Industrial Relations. Our breakout session partners include Sonic Health Plus and Blackwoods, with Bravus Mining & Resources as the lanyard sponsor.

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