SafetyAtWorkBlog

Kevin Jones shares reflections from the 2025 AIHS Victorian Branch symposium—where standout sessions tackled safety clutter, AI innovations, and hard-learned lessons from construction incidents. From Site Pilot’s public transparency to SHINe’s push for clarity, this episode blends critique, insight, and a behind-the-scenes tour of Marvel Stadium. Not every speaker hit the mark, but the value of showing up was undeniable.

Join Kevin Jones as he delves into the second edition of Arie Freiberg's book, "Regulation in Australia." This episode explores the reasons behind regulation, market failures, and the role of government in restoring fairness and equity. Kevin also discusses "The Big Myth" by Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway, which examines how business interests have shaped our perception of government and free markets. Tune in to understand the importance of regulation and its impact on society.

In this episode, Kevin Jones explores a new tool that’s quietly transforming how we understand safety in Australian agriculture—the Rural Media Farm Injury Dashboard. Drawing from a SafetyAtWorkBlog article, Kevin examines how media-sourced data is helping surface injury and fatality patterns across farms nationwide, while also revealing the cultural blind spots that keep safety on the margins.

From quad bikes to tractors, the numbers are sobering. But the real insight lies in what the Dashboard doesn’t show—like suicides and psychological harm—and what that absence says about stigma, reporting gaps, and the limits of current safety narratives. This episode challenges listeners to rethink what safety really means in rural work.

In this episode, Kevin Jones unpacks the troubling case of Cleanaway Waste Management’s CEO bonus reduction following three worker deaths. Drawing from a forthcoming SafetyAtWorkBlog article, he challenges the notion that trimming executive pay is a meaningful consequence—and asks whether safety is being treated as a KPI or a moral imperative.

With references to Woolworths, Orica, and SGH Group, Kevin explores how corporate Australia responds to workplace fatalities, and why investor pressure—not ethical leadership—often drives change. Featuring insights from the Australian Financial Review and safety scholars Andrew Hopkins and Sarah Maslen, this episode calls for a deeper reckoning with executive accountability and the true cost of preventable deaths.

In this episode, Kevin Jones critiques Safe Work Australia’s latest discussion paper on “best practice” in work health and safety legislation. With the final review report not due until mid-2026, Kevin questions whether anchoring reform to existing laws risks reinforcing the very limitations that need challenging.

Drawing from his SafetyAtWorkBlog article, Kevin explores who gets heard in these consultations—and who doesn’t. From sole traders to sex workers, he highlights the absence of lived experience in shaping safety policy. Is “best practice” just another hollow phrase like “Zero Harm”? Or can it be reclaimed through real-world insight and inclusive dialogue?

Kevin Jones discusses the OHS context of a recent Australian childcare industry scandal. This episode highlights the exposure of non-compliance with safety requirements and allegations of sexual abuse. The Victorian government has announced an inquiry, and other jurisdictions are following suit. Kevin discusses the need for national changes, the importance of creating a child-safe culture, and the challenges faced by governments in ensuring compliance with OHS standards.

In this episode, host Kevin Jones delves into the myth of "reasonably practicable" within occupational health and safety (OHS) and the moral implications it carries. Kevin argues that safety is not just about adhering to laws but about upholding values and a moral code in the workplace. He emphasizes that legislation should be seen as a tool, not a destination, and challenges listeners to go beyond mere compliance to truly protect workers from harm. This thought-provoking discussion is based on an article from SafetyAtWorkBlog, published on August 21, 2025.

Join host Kevin Jones as he delves into the intersections of occupational health and safety (OHS) and workers' compensation, inspired by a seminar on "Using Biopsychosocial Risk Profiling to Inform Claim Triage" by ISCRR. This episode explores the importance of integrating OHS findings into claim triage processes, the need for a broader understanding of workplace mental health, and the economic and legal imperatives of prevention. Stepping outside one's discipline can sharpen perspectives can drive meaningful change in workplace safety and health.

Join Kevin Jones as he delves into the critical issue of employer accountability in workplace health and safety. In this episode, Kevin challenges the common narratives that shift the focus to affordability and government intervention, emphasizing the fundamental obligation of employers to protect their workers. He explores the role of media in shaping public perception and highlights the importance of bringing occupational health and safety professionals to the forefront of discussions. By shifting the narrative, we can move towards sustainable, effective solutions that improve worker safety.

This is a summary of a longer and more detailed SafetyAtWorkBlog article

Join Kevin Jones as he delves into the often-overlooked human impact of workplace incidents and the institutional blind spots that perpetuate harm. This episode, based on a SafetyAtWorkBlog article, explores the forgotten focus on human consequences, the troubling truth about suicidality in the workplace, and the need for safer systems of work. Kevin challenges outdated narratives and advocates for a more proactive approach to occupational health and safety.

This is a summary of a SafetyAtWorkBlog article