My name is Ian Hazan, and I am the HIA National President. It’s a privilege to welcome you to the Housing Industry Association’s inaugural Safety Summit—an event dedicated to advancing the wellbeing of every individual who helps build the homes that shape our communities.

Today marks a significant milestone, for HIA and for the National Board of Directors, as we are committed creating a positive and proactive approach to safety. A cultural shift one that extends beyond simply having safe work practices. 

For the first time, we gather as an industry to place safety at the very heart of our mission. Whether you're a builder, contractor, safety officer or policymaker, your presence here signals a shared commitment: 

that every worker deserves to return home safely at the end of the day.

Let’s begin with a sobering truth: construction remains one of Australia’s most injury-prone industries. In 2024, construction accounted for a substantial share of serious workers’ compensation claims:

• 76% of work-related traumatic injury fatalities and 61% of serious workers’ compensation claims occurred in just six industries, with construction being in the top three.
• The three most significant safety issues in the construction industry are falls from height, contact with moving objects, and slips, trips, and falls.
• The vast majority of workers injured from work related activities are men – some 95%; and workers aged 45 and over account for over half (54%) of all worker incidents recorded. So, it isn’t young workers as leading incidents as you might expect.

Yet, there’s reason for optimism.

The national work-related injury rate now stands at 3.5%, dramatic improvement from 6.4% in 2005-06, which is nearly a 50% reduction over two decades. Even more remarkable, this is approximately one-third of the global work-related injury rate of 12.1% and our fatality rate has decreased by 19% since 2013.

This progress didn’t happen by chance. It is the result of decades of innovation, regulation, and cultural change. From Safe Work Method Statements, mandatory harnesses and scaffolding standards to mental health initiatives and digital safety tools, our industry has evolved – and lives have been saved because of it.

But we’re not done, I believe we can do better and create a safe and health workplace for everyone.  

The next frontier of safety demands collaboration, education, and bold thinking. That’s why we’re here today.

Having a safe work site goes beyond just common practice and the obvious practical measures of:

• Undertaking Site Inductions, 
• Regular Tool box meetings,
• Having the appropriate signage,
• Identifying hazards early and implementing the practical risk control measures, and

Completing the Safe Work Method Statements.

To ensure our workplaces are safer, and to further reduce work related injury rates we must create an environment where a positive safety culture thrives. An environment where there is:

1.  A Commitment from Company Leadership

• Leadership visibly supports, encourages and promotes safety, and
• Demonstrates that safety is a core value of the organisation.

2.  Open Communication

• Workers are empowered to speak up, voice concerns and ask questions without the fear of reprisal.

3.  Shared Ownership

• It is understood that safety is a collective responsibility, and
• Clear role clarity with everyone understanding how their role contributes to everyone's safety.

4.  Proactive Risk Management

• A focus on identifying and mitigating risks before they lead to injury.

Over the course of today’s program, you will hear from experts, share best practice but most importantly get practical and actionable steps that can make our sites safer and our teams stronger. 

I encourage everyone to take away 2-3 actions from today and when you go back to the office or worksite, share them with your colleagues– put them up on the whiteboard or a site poster as a key measure or mantra to implement.

October marks the beginning of National Safe Work Month – a time for us all to pause, reflect, and reinforce our commitment to creating a safe and healthy workplace for everyone.

This year’s theme, ‘safety: every job, every day’ encourages everyone to prioritise safety in their job all of the time – whether an employer, trade contractor, worker or anyone else visiting a site – it is up to everyone.

So, let’s challenge each other, learn from each other, and leave here with a renewed sense of purpose.

Because safety isn’t just a policy - it’s a promise.