Relevance: The Key to Strong HSE and Project Team Relationships

When I think about keeping things relevant in my role, I’m reminded of my morning coffee routine with supervisors. Over a latte, I’d listen to their frustrations, challenges, and goals for the day. Those casual conversations were invaluable, giving me insight into what was working, what wasn’t, and what needed focus. Later in the day, I could write HSE plans, inspections, or meeting agendas tailored to the realities they shared. It wasn’t about ticking boxes; it was about making HSE initiatives matter to the team.

This experience taught me an important lesson: relevance builds trust, connection, and better outcomes.

Why Relevance Matters in HSE

Being relevant as an HSE professional means truly understanding the technical tasks, risks, and day-to-day challenges team members face. When the HSE team takes time to listen, observe, and integrate those insights into their work, it sends a clear message: We care, and we’re here to support you, not add unnecessary hurdles.

Safe Work Australia highlights the importance of leadership commitment in fostering a culture of work health and safety (WHS). Their leadership principles stress collaboration and consultation, which are critical to ensuring that HSE professionals remain relevant to workers' needs (Safe Work Australia, 2023). Additionally, the Australian WHS Strategy 2023–2033 emphasises worker empowerment and consultation, reinforcing that relevance comes from actively listening and responding to real-world risks (Safe Work Australia, 2023).

In Victoria, WorkSafe Victoria promotes the importance of worker involvement in safety practices, underlining that collaboration leads to better safety outcomes. Engaging workers in discussions about risks and solutions ensures that the HSE team is aligned with the practical realities of the workplace (WorkSafe Victoria, 2023).

Here’s what relevance communicates to the team:

• Connection: It shows the HSE team understands the risks and tasks workers face, building shared understanding.
• Interest: It demonstrates genuine curiosity about the team’s day-to-day challenges.
• Effort: It reflects the HSE team’s commitment to staying informed about the current state of the project.
• Listening: It proves the HSE team is not only hearing but actively responding to workers’ concerns and needs.

The benefits? Stronger working relationships, increased buy-in for HSE initiatives, and more effective risk management. This aligns with the guidance provided by WorkSafe Victoria, which emphasises worker participation as a cornerstone of safety success.

How HSE Team Members Can Position Themselves for Relevance

1. Spend Time on the Ground Join team members in the field or workshop. Observe their tasks, tools, and conditions. Ask questions to understand their perspective.
2. Build Informal Relationships Create opportunities for casual, judgement-free conversations—whether it’s over a coffee, during a toolbox talk, or on a break. These moments can reveal insights that formal meetings often miss.
3. Tailor HSE Materials Move beyond generic templates. Use what you’ve learned to write plans, inspections, and toolbox talks that directly address current challenges and risks.
4. Stay Curious Learn about the technical aspects of the work. Familiarity with tasks, tools, and terminology makes your conversations more meaningful and your solutions more credible.

These approaches align with the Australian WHS Strategy 2023–2033, which stresses the importance of understanding workplace dynamics to develop effective safety measures.

How Senior Project Team Members Can Support HSE Relevance

1. Involve the HSE Team in Strategic Discussions Invite them to planning meetings or task allocations so they can gain context on evolving priorities and risks.
2. Encourage Cross-Discipline Learning Support HSE team members in shadowing other roles or attending training to better understand technical work.
3. Create Time for Interaction Make space for HSE team members to have informal discussions with supervisors and workers. When time is tight, these moments are often sacrificed—but they’re critical for building relevance.
4. Acknowledge and Reward Efforts Recognise when the HSE team takes initiative to be relevant and responsive. Positive reinforcement helps solidify a culture of collaboration.

Relevance isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a cornerstone of effective HSE management and stronger team relationships. It’s about listening, observing, and acting with purpose. Safe Work Australia, WorkSafe Victoria, and the Australian WHS Strategy 2023–2033 consistently emphasise the importance of worker engagement, consultation, and practical safety measures to ensure a safer, more effective workplace.

To my fellow HSE professionals, keep positioning yourselves where you can make the most impact. And to senior project leaders, let’s support these efforts to ensure health and safety remain integrated, actionable, and above all, relevant.

What’s your approach to staying relevant in your role?

References

• Safe Work Australia. (2023). Leadership and culture: Integrating WHS into workplace culture. Retrieved from Safe Work Australia
• Safe Work Australia. (2023). Australian WHS Strategy 2023–2033. Retrieved from Safe Work Australia
• WorkSafe Victoria. (2023). Worker involvement and collaboration in safety programs. Retrieved from WorkSafe Victoria

This article was supported by the use of AI to collate and refine references from reputable Australian WHS sources, ensuring the content is accurate, relevant, and aligned with best practices.