Zenergy Newletter June 2023

Zenergy Safety, Health & Wellbeing Industry Update

As we come to the close of the financial year, it has been a record year for Safety Health & Sustainability employment, with almost all sectors and regions recording growth in FY22/23, with the notable exception of a slowdown in a traditionally reliable and strong construction sector. The fastest growing of the recruitment segment has been in the contracting and consulting space, with a phenomenal 32% increase year on year. We attribute this to organisations working through increased staff turnover, additional workload post covid and having the ability to bring in resources on a short-term basis to assist with overflow work, projects and retention issues.

The pace continues into the new year with:

Australian Workplace Health & Safety Awards 2023 and Gala Dinner coming up in Melbourne on August 31st
SafeWork month in October
Zenergy’s annual CEO forum takes place in October
The 23rd World Congress on Safety & Health at work takes place on 27 - 30 November 2023 at the ICC in Sydney

2023 is a rich environment for Safety Health & Sustainability professionals to work in. Emerging technologies, environmental impetus and the need to create psychologically healthy and safe workplaces are all opening up exciting opportunities for growth and career development and we look forward to working with you in the new financial year!

Zenergy Updates and Events

Zenergy’s New Sydney Headquarters – Surry Hills, Sydney

After 15 years at Circular Quay in Sydney CBD, the Zenergy team have been extremely excited to move to our new purpose built HQ in Surry Hills, Sydney NSW. The construction of our new headquarters is a big milestone in our history and after 17 years in total of doing our best to provide the best service to our customers and working conditions for our team, moving in Q3 of this year we started writing a new chapter in history in our own building.

This was a dream that we had for several years, and now the dream became reality. The new office building mirrors the company’s spirit in an open, modern office space, encourages creative thinking, and offers top-notch facilities, equipment, and amenities and we look forward to welcoming you all in the new financial year!

Zenergy Leaders Forum – Panel Discussion 'Contractor & Vendor Management'

A full house in Sydney at Mirvac for a fascinating discussion with some of the leading legal and safety minds in our industry!

The topic was 'Contractor & Vendor Management' and with active audience participation, one of the key themes was to 'engage early and engage wholeheartedly' or potentially suffer the consequences down the track. MC Brian Long. READ MORE…

A special thanks to the panel:

Steve Bell Herbert Smith Freehills
Lea Constantine Ashurst
Alena Titterton Clyde & Co
David Provan, Forge Works

For upcoming similar events get in touch with the team Zenergy Safety, Health & Wellbeing.

Australian Workplace Health & Safety Awards 2023 – Sponsorship Opportunities

The Australian Institute of Health & Safety, in partnership with Zenergy Safety, Health & Wellbeing, is proud to present the Australian Workplace Health & Safety Awards for 2023 with the awards and Gala dinner to be held on Thursday 31st August 2023 at Zinc at Fed Square in Melbourne.

The awards provide national recognition to organisations and individuals who are demonstrating excellence and innovation in the field of Workplace Health & Safety. They recognise 11 individual and organisational achievements. READ MORE…

In 2022 there were over 500 nominations, with 12 winners and a gala awards evening event attended by over 250 people. The launch of the official new microsite has dedicated links to sponsorship pages, criteria and all other information. Follow the link https://awhsa.org.au/

For further information reach out to the team at Zenergy on 1300 333 400!

Introducing our Contract / Interim Division

Our contract recruitment division is dedicated to connecting businesses with highly skilled professionals on a temporary basis to meet their specific project needs. In today's fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape, organisations often require flexible workforce solutions, and that's where our expertise comes into play.

We specialise in sourcing, screening, and placing talented individuals who can seamlessly integrate into any organisation for a defined period. Whether clients need additional resources for a short-term project, require specialised expertise, or want to cover for an employee on leave, our division is here to help.

Our team of experienced recruiters understands the nuances of contract recruitment. We work closely with both clients and candidates to ensure a smooth and efficient process. Our extensive network and industry knowledge enable us to identify and attract top-notch professionals across various domains.

If you are interested in finding out more, please reach out to Lewis Trow.

Zenergy Client Site Tour – James Hardie

Two of our team from the Sydney office  Giulia Giovagnoli and Kathleen Melville were welcomed for an exciting site tour by our client James Hardie. James Hardie Industries is the largest global manufacturer of fibre cement products and is dual-listed on the Australian and New York Stock Exchanges. READ MORE….

Industry leader Katie Chapman, who is EHS Projects Manager APAC at James Hardie, brought the ladies around site, where they witnessed the different types of cement cladding and panels that are manufactured on site right through to distribution. All the while understanding the ways that risk is managed. Wayne Auty – Distribution Team Leader NSW took pride in showing the Zenergy team around the company, where he has worked for over 40 years.

Truly inspiring to be given access into how the James Hardie business continues on it's growth trajectory and further insight for the Zenergy Safety, Health & Wellbeing team to help guide HSE Professionals to better career choices.

Zenergy Team Outing

The Zenergy Safety, Health & Wellbeing team got together recently for team building and an evening out to celebrate a fantastic 6 months working together on some outstanding assignments with our clients all across Australia.

There was a special mention to Lewis Trow who has relocated from the UK with his young family and made an impact in such a short period of time and to Daniel Clancy who has taken the Victoria market by storm. A warm welcome to Devon Lowe who joined earlier this month is making a difference already.

Industry News & Resources

National Safe Work Month 2023 theme released..

Safe Work Australia has released the theme and campaign kit for National Safe Work Month to be held in October 2023.

The overarching theme for 2023 is For everyone’s safety, work safely - encouraging everyone to make health and safety in the workplace a priority.

Psychosocial safety requirements in the workplace

You will have no doubt been hearing a lot about “psychological safety” and “psychosocial safety” lately and for good reason. The laws are changing in these areas in relation to workplace obligations. It can be confusing, but it shouldn’t be. It’s important to not over-complicate this topic because it is a very critical factor to get right in the workplace.

Racing company fined $350,000 after young rider’s tragic death

A horse training company has been convicted and fined $350,000 after an apprentice jockey was thrown from her horse and died during pre-dawn training at Cranbourne, Victoria. Saloon Park, which trades as Ken Keys Racing, was sentenced in the Melbourne County Court after being found guilty of one charge of failing to provide or maintain a system of work that was safe and without health risks.

Transitioning From AS/NZS 4801 TO ISO 45001

Companies yet to transition from AS/NZS 4801 to ISO 45001 have until 23 July 2023 to transition to the new standard. From 23 July 2023 onwards, AS/NZS 4801 certificates will not be recognised and companies seeking ISO 45001 certification will be treated as new applicants by their external certification body. Standards Australia has marked 4801 as 'Superseded' and 'Published, Obsolete'. As such, any organisation which previously had 4801 should move to 45001 if they do not require 4801 for legislative or contractual reasons.

To support safety & wellbeing in the workplace

Sydney ~ Melbourne ~ Brisbane ~ Perth

Zenergy Safety Health & Wellbeing

25 Brisbane Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW 2010

1300 333 400

www.zenergygroup.com.au

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Zenergy News

Directors' duties for psych risks unpacked in new report

April 23, 2025

The WHS obligations of company directors include taking reasonable steps to understand the psychological hazards in their workplaces, and this is a "personal" prosecutable duty, a new guide for directors warns. Directors' obligations include establishing that their organisations and their management "are equipped with appropriate resources and processes to eliminate or minimise these risks to the extent that is reasonably practicable", the guide by the Australian Institute of Company Directors and law firm King & Wood Mallesons says. Most of any organisation's work to address psychosocial hazards will be "driven by management", given the complexity of the risks and the deep operational knowledge required to guide action, it says. "The board plays a supporting role in constructively challenging these efforts and maintaining oversight of how effective psychosocial risk management contributes to broader organisational culture and leadership." Under Australia's national model WHS laws – adopted by all jurisdictions other than Victoria, which has similar legislation – officers have a duty to exercise due diligence to confirm their organisation is meeting its WHS obligations. (See section 27 of NSW's version of the laws, for example.) This duty is a "personal duty, meaning [officers] can be prosecuted for failing to meet their due diligence obligations", the guide says. "Prosecution typically requires proof that the officer failed to take reasonable steps to comply with their duty, assessed in the context of the organisation's overall safety and health management system," it says. These due diligence obligations apply to paid directors, and are "recommended" for volunteer directors, who can be prosecuted in limited circumstances. "While non-executive directors have not been the focus of WHS regulators to date, this can change, and regulatory expectations are rising," the guide notes. According to the 12-page document , company boards and governance play a crucial role in ensuring psychosocial risks are managed effectively. Directors must oversee management's efforts at identifying and implementing control measures, set expectations and confirm that the necessary frameworks are in place. "This includes seeking information, reviewing board reports, assessing organisational culture, and challenging management where needed to strengthen risk controls," the guide says. Examples of how boards should address the workplace factors that create psychosocial risks include: Overseeing how managers monitor the risks associated with work design by drawing on complaints data, employee surveys, and absence and turnover rates, and engaging regularly with management to assess risks and evaluate measures; Confirming that management is complying with the positive duty to eliminate workplace sexual harassment, and obtaining regular reports on key behavioural risks involving code of conduct breaches and harassment cases; Setting expectations for management to provide workers with practical assistance and timely consultation in the event of organisational change and restructures, which can create significant stress; Engaging with management to review how it is addressing remote work risks, and ensuring there they have a clear policy to guide them in determining when remote arrangements are appropriate; and Overseeing how HR and performance management processes are managed, and confirming that investigation procedures are fair, workers have access to appropriate support, and outcomes are handled as consistently as possible. Governing WHS Psychosocial Risks: A primer for directors, by the Australian Institute of Company Directors and King & Wood Mallesons, April 2025 This article has been reproduced with permission from OHS Alert, and the original version appears at www.ohsalert.com.au.

Women in Safety: A Celebration of Connection and Collaboration

April 7, 2025

Zenergy recently hosted Women in Safety, a special networking event dedicated to fostering collaboration in the health, safety, and wellbeing sector. Held on March 20, 2025, at The Winery, Surry Hills, this event provided a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere where professionals gathered to exchange insights, share experiences, and build meaningful connections. With attendees from diverse industries—including construction, logistics, corporate sectors, and more—the event highlighted the vital role of women in shaping safer workplaces across Australia.

4 Leading Podcasts for WHS and Sustainability Professionals

March 25, 2025

Podcasts have become a dominant force in the world of media, revolutionising how we consume information and entertainment and the WHS, Environment & Sustainability is no different! As the podcast industry continues to expand, listeners are discovering a wealth of benefits, from educational insights to fostering community connections. In this article, we share some of the leading podcasts and why they’ve become a growing part of modern WHS, Environment & Sustainability consumption. Here are some of the leading podcasts that every WHS, Environmental, and Sustainability professional should tune into:

Shaping the Future of WHS: Colin Hansen on Well-being, Engagement, and Safety Culture

March 24, 2025

Colin Hansen, WHS Director John Holland - M7M12 Project

Celebrating Excellence in Workplace Safety: 2025 Australian Workplace Health & Safety Awards

March 3, 2025

Zenergy invites you to be part of the prestigious 2025 Australian Workplace Health & Safety Awards (AWHSA) —a national platform dedicated to recognising outstanding achievements in workplace health and safety. These awards celebrate individuals and organisations that are making a real impact in fostering safer, healthier work environments.

Key Elements of the 2025 Sustainability Reporting Requirements

February 28, 2025

Australia has enacted mandatory sustainability reporting requirements, effective from 1 January 2025, through the Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Market Infrastructure and Other Measures) Act 2024. These regulations mandate that large entities disclose climate-related financial information as part of their annual reporting obligations.