Gap revealed between safety perception & reality in Australian workplaces

Research from Avetta indicates a discrepancy between Australian workers' perception of their workplace safety and the adequacy of risk management systems in high-risk industries such as construction, mining, manufacturing, and utilities.

Avetta, in partnership with PureProfile, surveyed 518 professionals from high-risk sectors including facilities management and utilities. The results reveal that while 90% of Australian workers report feeling safe most or all of the time at work, over half admit their employers lack comprehensive systems to manage safety risks. According to the research, 56% of respondents said their companies only had partial risk systems in place, 10% stated their workplaces had no such systems, and 6% were unsure if any risk controls existed.

Perception gap

This research shows that while Australian workers may feel safe day-to-day, many workplaces are operating on fragile scaffolding when it comes to genuine protection. The perception gap is not just about communication, it's about governance. When employees believe they're safe, but organisations fail to adequately mitigate risks, leaders create ticking time bombs: Rare but devastating failures that can cost lives, ruin reputations and expose companies to legal, financial and moral consequences.

Luke Boyle, Vice President of Operations, APAC at Avetta, said the research indicates that organisational vulnerabilities can be masked by employee confidence. The findings also emphasise that this issue is related as much to organisational governance as it is to communication.

Contractor safety confidence

The survey found contractors, often working in hazardous environments, face additional challenges regarding safety verification. Survey respondents indicated that 65% are only somewhat confident or not confident at all that proper checks on contractor safety standards occur before work commences.

This is a blind spot organisations can no longer afford. Contractors are not just filling labour gaps, they're central to operations. If they're under-protected, the entire workplace ecosystem is at risk. Ensuring contractors have the same level of safety standards and risk management as permanent staff isn't just good practice, it's essential for preventing incidents, protecting lives and safeguarding organisational integrity.

Boyle noted that failing to uphold the same safety standards for contractors as for permanent staff means exposing the workplace to significant operational and reputational risks.

Technology and training

Survey respondents identified several technologies that could improve workplace safety. 38% nominated technology managing inductions, training and competency as the most impactful; 29% indicated mobile apps and digital credential checks; while 21% opted for platforms specifically designed for contractor safety management.

Improvements in training and the availability of resources were also among the strongest recommendations for lifting safety standards. 42% of participants called for more internal risk management training, 29% advocated for greater investment in hazard identification tools and resources, and 27% suggested that executives and board members should receive additional health and safety training.

Cultural factors

The report highlights cultural challenges that affect safety outcomes. 38% of participants admitted to having chosen not to report a safety concern due to fear of repercussions or a belief that reporting would not result in change. Simultaneously, 19% noted they observed hazards that were acknowledged by management but left unaddressed on a daily or weekly basis.

These findings come as the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 introduces new requirements for managing health and safety. The regulation strengthens employers' responsibilities by explicitly including both physical and psychosocial risks, mandates clear consultation procedures with workers, and further enables the issuance of penalty notices for non-compliance.

Need for action

The Avetta report, entitled "Making Every Job Safe, Every Day: Why Australian Workplaces Must Have Confidence Beyond Compliance", suggests that organisations in high-risk industries face an urgent requirement to align safety systems, technology, training, and culture with the reality of risk exposure for both employees and contractors.