Final speakers announced for SAFETYconnect 2019

The final speakers and presentation topics have been announced for SAFETYconnect 2019, incorporating the National Safety Conference. The two-day conference opens at Crown Conference Centre, Melbourne on 28 August and includes both keynote speeches and a dual-stream presentation structure, covering the streams of WHS management and industrial safety.

The final speakers announcement sees the addition of five presenters to the conference program, as well as final confirmation on one unconfirmed speaker and presentation topic. The final five presenters to be announced are all participating in the ‘Industrial Safety Stream’. The speakers are, in program order: Chris Ftinogiannis, Tony Paul, Johnny Fisher, Ferdie Kroon and Craig Docherty.

The first two present on day one of the conference. Chris Ftinogiannis (Accredited Exercise Physiologist, AEP Health Group) presents on the need to redress the emphasis on ‘safety’ within traditional health and safety programs through his presentation, ‘Giving Health a Voice (Part 1 — Diagnostics)’ from 11.30–12 noon. Then in an after lunch session, Tony Paul (RF Safety Program Manager, Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association) outlines some height safety resources and initiatives in his presentation, ‘Enhancing Safe Work at Heights near Radio Sites’, 2–2.30 pm.

On day two of the conference, Johnny Fisher (Emergency Management Professional, Fire & Safety Australia) explores some of the differences “between emergency response and management” and offers advice on how to create a “whole-of-organisation crisis plan” in his presentation, ‘Planning for Emergencies: Industrial Crisis Management’, 11.30 am–12 noon. Then in the afternoon session, Ferdie Kroon (Risk & Compliance Manager, De Bruyn’s Transport) talks ‘Heavy Vehicle National Law and the Chain of Responsibility Safety Implications for Everyone using Road Transport’ from 1.30–2 pm. This is followed from 2 pm by Craig Docherty (CEO/Founder, Fusion Safety Management), whose ‘Giving Health a Voice (Part 2 — Solutioning)’ is a follow-up to Chris Ftinogiannis’ presentation from day one.

Today’s announcement also includes confirmation of the presentation topic for another day two presenter: Julie Nielsen, Executive Director Health and Safety, WorkSafe Victoria. Nielsen, it is now confirmed, will discuss “how WorkSafe is partnering with government, employers, workers, communities and other key stakeholders to prevent workplace injuries and illness, both today and for the next generation of workers” in a presentation titled ‘Future Challenges — A Regulator’s Perspective’. Nielsen’s presentation runs as part of the ‘WHS Management Stream’, 11.30–12 noon. It has also been confirmed that Michael O’Hanlon will be the speaker from Beyond Blue, presenting after Nielsen (from 12 noon) with the topic: ‘Answering the Call: Key Lessons from Police and Emergency Services and the Importance of Mentally Healthy Workplaces’.

SAFETYconnect 2019 brings together senior WHS and business professionals from a broad range of industry sectors, including construction, mining, manufacturing, transport, education and government. This year’s conference includes Er Siong Hin Ho — Senior Director (International WSH) at Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower — as Guest of Honour and four keynote speakers: Prof. Vincent Ho, President of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH, UK) & Head of Corporate Safety, MTR (Hong Kong); Patrick Clifton, Head of Health, Safety & Laws at the Australian Football League (AFL); Dr Dheera Phong-anant, Manager — OSH Development and International Relations Centre, SHAWPAT (Thailand); and Boon Chew Soon, Principal Consultant at Culture Lab (Singapore).

SAFETYconnect 2019 will be held at Melbourne’s Crown Conference Centre, 28–29 August (and is preceded by a pre-conference workshop on 27 August). Limited conference tickets are still available. Reserve your seat now at www.safety-connect.com.au.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Gennady Danilkin