Safety Ambassador Brian Lewis
Background information
Since joining Watpac in 1997 as Safety Manager, I have been responsible for overseeing all safety requirements on all projects throughout the company. My duties encompass regular auditing of the safety procedures on all projects and for recommendations on the correct methods to be implemented. I also conduct safety training programmes for all personnel.
Our efforts in health and safety have resulted in Watpac’s 2006 certification under the Australian Government Building and Construction OHS Accreditation Scheme. This accreditation was a major milestone for the company and testament to our commitment to safety standards. Watpac has been the recipient of an award from Safe Work Australia for our Skilled Park Project, and has won several Master Builders Association state awards for safety. The company is now a partner of the Zero Harm at Work Leadership Forum Chapter (a Queensland Government initiative), and champions the ‘Work Safe, Home Safe’ mantra.
I am ultimately responsible for the safety management on all Queensland sites, which can range from small community jobs, through to large-scale, multi-million dollar projects, including sports stadiums, high-rise CBD developments, university facilities, and much more.
Prior to joining Watpac, I spent two years as the OHS Officer for Queensland Master Builders Association, and five years as the OHS Manager with BM Cully and Associates.
Why workplace safety is important to me
Workplace safety is important to me as I want to make sure that every person who works for Watpac, or who visits a Watpac site, leaves in the same condition in which they arrived – safe and healthy. Every person on a Watpac site has friends and family who rely on the company to keep their loved ones safe, and I take that responsibility seriously. Our most precious resource is obviously our people and those that are associated with our business.
I believe risk management and risk prevention are the key to maintaining a safe workplace, as are the company’s ideals insofar as everyone is responsible for OHS. This fosters a strong culture of OHS awareness, and ultimately contributes to the reputation of the company. Watpac is able to proudly boast an excellent safety record thanks to the diligence of our management and site personnel, who work by an ethos of maintaining the safest site possible and reducing and preventing risk.
My plans for national Safe Work Australia Week
As in previous years, Watpac will use Safe Work Australia Week as an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the principles of workplace health and safety. At many of our sites we will be holding safety-themed workshops and lunches, reiterating to our personnel the importance of keeping themselves, and their workmates, safe from harm. We will also be actively engaging in an internal advertising campaign, reminding people of the company’s strong focus on safety. We have developed a series of posters featuring the ‘Work Safe, Home Safe’ message, which are particularly targeted at youth. These posters remind our staff and sub-contractors that by avoiding risk at work, you can live life to the full outside of the workplace.
Why I accepted the role as a national Safe Work Australia Week Safety Ambassador
I accepted the role as a national Safe Work Australia Week Safety Ambassador as I see it as an excellent opportunity to showcase the good work being undertaken within the construction industry, particularly in Queensland, towards continual improvement in safety. At Watpac, we are consistently working diligently to ensure the highest standards of safety are met, if not exceeded,, and by sharing our successes with the rest of Australia we will be contributing to an overall improvement in safety in the construction industry.
I am passionate about workplace safety, and as an Ambassador I would encourage other companies to continue to work hard to ensure the safety of all construction employees is placed as the industry’s highest priority. I have a strong belief that the years of experience I have can ultimately contribute to improving the overall OHS culture in the construction industry, by taking on a mentoring role and imparting that experience onto those who are following in my footsteps.
Page last updated: 18/10/2009