NSW launches Safety Speakers Program to share the human cost of injuries

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis launched the program at a construction site in Kemps Creek, Western Sydney, where work has started on new wastewater infrastructure. The initiative brings together seriously injured workers and family members of people killed at work to explain the consequences workplace incidents can have for individuals, families and communities.

Speakers include former para-athlete Clint Pickin, who lost his foot in a farming accident in 2014, and wheelchair tennis player David Hall, who lost his legs after being hit by a car while hitchhiking to a party at 16. The panel also includes members of SafeWork NSW’s Family and Injured Workers Support and Advisory Group, including Linda Moussa. Her husband died after falling at a Ryde construction site in October 2016.

The speakers offer personal perspectives on workplace and road safety, mental health and wellbeing, recovery, return-to-work, inclusion and disability awareness. Cotsis said the program would give workplaces and communities an opportunity to hear directly from people affected by workplace incidents. “We need the message to get through to workers to speak up if they feel that something’s not safe and for employers to know that there are serious consequences for not following safety protocols including fines and even jail time.”

Member for Leppington Nathan Haggerty encouraged local employers to use the free program, highlighting the amount of construction and infrastructure work underway across Leppington and South West Sydney. He said workplace injuries and deaths affect families and communities as well as individuals, and that protecting workers must remain a priority across all industries.

SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer said lived experience could help turn safety obligations into everyday decisions. She said the advisory group’s members brought valuable perspectives on the real-world consequences of workplace health and safety choices. “Everyone deserves to go home safely at the end of the day, and programs like this are a clear reminder of the importance of making this a reality for every worker in NSW.”

Pickin said he hoped sharing his experience would prompt employers and workers to reconsider their daily decisions, speak up and identify risks. Moussa said she wanted to use what she had learnt to encourage employers to put safety first and help workers raise concerns. “You are never prepared to lose a loved one to a workplace incident, but I have learnt a great deal from my experience.”

icare Group Executive, Workers Compensation Tony Wessling said the initiative builds on icare’s Paralympic Speakers Program, which began in 2015. He said icare sees both the lasting effects of serious workplace and road injuries and the contribution appropriate support can make to recovery, return-to-work and quality of life. The partnership combines experienced speakers with new voices to support injury prevention, recovery and safer workplaces.

The free program is available to eligible employers holding an icare Workers Compensation Policy. Eligible organisations can book a speaker through the program or contact speakersprogram@icare.nsw.gov.au.

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