Safety Connect awarded the ‘Best WHS Training Program’ at the Hunter Safety Awards, Australia

GFG’s behavioural safety program, Safety Connect, has been recognised as ‘Best WHS Training Program’ at the Hunter Safety Awards gala event on 17^th March. The Hunter Safety Awards recognise companies within the Hunter Region of Australia, that are demonstrating best-practice and innovative approaches to workplace health and safety.

Since the rollout of the Safety Connect program in 2021, there has been a significant cultural shift, with more people intervening and responding to error-likely situations, indicating that people are looking out for each other more than ever. This is reflected in the safety performance, with injury rates improving across the organisation.

The win is being widely celebrated by proud Safety Connect facilitators and participants from across the globe, with Head of Health, Safety and Cranes, Fran Nores, overwhelmed by the response. “We know the importance of Safety Connect and how it has shaped the way we work across GFG and I’m so proud that our efforts have been recognised externally too”, he said.

Chief of Safety USA, Mike Raabe, said of the win “Congratulations to all involved in the development of this world class program. Special thanks and appreciation to all who have embraced the meaning and content of the program and conducted those midnight shift training sessions withy our colleagues. First Class!”

Production Supervisor, InfraBuild Reinforcing, Michael Purtell, said of the program “Well deserved…it is the most common sense safety training I have been involved with and the operators speak highly of the program”.

InfraBuild CEO, Dak Patel said of the news “Encouraging and worthy of emulation – congratulations to all!”

Site Services Contract Controller, Newcastle Wire Mill, Emma Mellows was excited to hear of the win. “If only others could understand from this award that this course is not just another safety course. It really does hit differently.”