Professor Michael Behm’s recent presentation on "Safe Design Maintainability" offered a compelling look into shifting our approach to occupational health and safety from reactive to proactive. The core idea is simple: embed safety into a project's design from the very beginning. Behm emphasized "prevention through design" (PtD), a philosophy he's championed, stemming from his observation that workers often have to "overcome poor design" to do their jobs. A pivotal point in the presentation was Behm's adaptation of a chart, illustrating that the ability to influence safety is greatest in the earliest stages of a project—the conceptual and detailed design engineering phases. He used his own past experience to lament not being involved early enough, where changes would have been easier and less costly. This led to his proposal, showing that while hazard identification is high at startup, the ability to influence those risks is much greater earlier in the design process. Behm also integrated the Hierarchy of Controls, stressing the importance of "working 'above the line'" with elimination and engineering controls during the design phase, rather than relying on less effective measures like Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The presentation addressed the critical aspects of regulatory compliance and certification for professional engineers in Australia. It draws on recent legal cases and regulatory shifts, with a focus on the building and construction sector.

Peter Hart's presentation addresses critical safety concerns in heavy trucking, focusing on factors contributing to accidents such as brake fade, jack-knifing, and rollovers. He uses specific case studies, including the Monavale tanker crash and other incidents, to illustrate the physics involved and the importance of driver skill and training. Hart highlights the limitations of current regulations and technology, particularly concerning mirrors and braking systems, arguing for a greater emphasis on practical knowledge and consistent enforcement of speed limits on steep descents and around roundabouts. He underscores that existing systems, although improving, still require drivers to understand the fundamentals of vehicle control and road safety. The presentation questions legal outcomes in certain cases, suggesting evidence that is critical isn't always fully considered by the courts.

This briefing summarises the key themes and information presented by Grant Gatland during a FESA Zoom meeting focused on lightning strike and power surge events. The presentation aimed to educate FESA members on the differences between these events, the types of damage they cause, methods for validating claims, common myths, and the complexities involved in assessing related losses. Gatland drew upon his extensive experience in investigating technical loss events for the insurance industry. A significant emphasis was placed on identifying genuine lightning or power surge damage versus alternative causes, including potential fraudulent claims.