Construction forum drives evidence-informed WHS solutions

SHINe (Safety and Health Innovation Network) was developed by RMIT University’s (RMIT) School of Property, Construction and Project Management, as a first-of-its-kind Australian industry forum that allows members to advise what research to fund and to actively contribute to research projects that will drive evidence-informed work health and safety (WHS) solutions that respond to industry needs.

With a philanthropic ethos, research findings funded by the SHINe network are open to anyone in the industry, with the aim of finding new ways to improve WHS across the construction industry. The forum is intended to provide industry and community benefit through a novel participatory funding and delivery process, and is chaired by Multiplex’s Global Chair ESG, Dr Dennis Else.

The forum is also made up of stakeholders from across the construction industry, with Multiplex, Laing O’Rourke, Melbourne & Olympic Parks, Construction Health and Safety NZ (CHASNZ), HammerTech and McConnell Dowell being foundational members. Distinguished Professor Helen Lingard — a researcher and industry expert in construction WHS — led the forum’s creation.

“The forum is democratic in nature — it allows its members to influence what research priorities to work on and which projects to fund, to maximise its relevance and responsiveness to industry needs,” Lingard said. “Fundamentally, the SHINe network has a mission of social impact — research findings are shared with the whole industry, aiming to create better health and safety outcomes.”

You can learn more about SHINe here, via RMIT’s website.

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