In 2020, 2021 and much of 2022, workplace health and safety were the focus of unprecedented attention globally as Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) professionals were forced to deal with the fall-out from the coronavirus pandemic. Continual changes in regulations were followed by a gradual return to ‘normal’ for HSE teams across Australia and New Zealand. These regulatory changes increased pressure not only on HSE leaders, but also on the entire workforce – employees and contractors.

Today, Australasian HSE leaders are contending with psychosocial issues made worse by the pandemic and today’s economic uncertainty — against a backdrop of severe skills shortages. This is compounded by pressure to change organisational culture, address ESG requirements and implement new technology — amidst heightened cybersecurity risk. In parallel with this, megatrends such as digitalisation, climate change and globalisation are transforming the world of work.