Breakfast event

Pathways for handling psychosocial hazards – breakfast forum

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14 October, 2025
07:30 to 10:15

Designed for professionals committed to advancing the way psychosocial hazards are managed in WA workplaces, this free Safe Work Month forum shares emerging approaches, practical insights, and real-world strategies for creating mentally healthy and safe work environments.

The program features an inspiring keynote from Dr Peta Miller on moving from minimum to aspirational practices, followed by peer-led case studies from construction, community services/healthcare, and local government representatives, and a panel discussion on navigating the evolving psychosocial risk landscape.

This event is ideal for human factors and ergonomics professionals, PCBUs, health and safety representatives, workers, and anyone with a role or interest in psychological health and safety or prevention in WA workplaces.

Enjoy a hot breakfast served at your table while connecting with others committed to building safer, more supportive workplaces.

Registration details

Although there is no registration fee, pre-registration is essential to reserve your place.

  • Registration for each attendee (whether in-person or webinar) must be completed online.
  • If you register for in-person and subsequently are not able to attend, please cancel your registration online or advise wsengage@lgirs.wa.gov.au as soon as possible to allow someone else to attend.
  • Breakfast will be served so please note any dietaries and sit at the table assigned during registration.

Event program

Morning
Time (AWST)Description
07:00Registration
07:30Introduction - Andrew Ballam General Manager Regulatory Training and Business Services, WorkSafe, Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS)
07:40Breakfast served
08:20Welcome to Country - Theo Kearing
08:25Welcome address - Hon Simone McGurk MLA: Minister for Industrial Relations
08:30Keynote session with Dr Peta Miller - Maturing from minimum to aspirational: Explore the journey from meeting minimum legal requirements to embracing advanced and aspirational practices.
09:05Peer to peer learning – Learn from the experiences of Anglicare WA, Melchor Contracting and Town of Port Hedland as they share their unique approaches to managing psychosocial hazards in the contexts and challenges they operate within.
09:35Panel – Practical pathways towards greater maturity: Dr Peta Miller and our three case study presenters discuss the evolving journey of psychosocial hazard management. Hear how these leaders are working to move beyond a compliance mindset and towards more mature, sustainable practices, sharing candid reflections, practical insights, and realistic strategies that may benefit other workplaces.
10:00Closing remarks - Sally North, WorkSafe Commissioner
10:15Event close

Know the speakers

Hon Simone McGurk MLA

Simone is the State Labor Member for Fremantle, and the Minister for Creative Industries; Heritage; Industrial Relations; Aged Care and Seniors; Women. Simone holds degrees in History from the University of Melbourne and Media from Murdoch University.

Sally North - WorkSafe Commissioner, LGIRS

Sally is the WorkSafe Commissioner in WA. She greatly values the opportunity to make a difference to the community through WorkSafe’s education, inspections, investigations, legal and regulatory support teams and through collaboration with stakeholders.

Dr Peta Miller - keynote speaker

Peta is a highly respected health and human factors professional with over 40 years of experience in the private and public sectors leading WHS strategy, policy and practice, as well as research and evidence translation. She has deep knowledge of the Australian WHS legislative frameworks, particularly in preventing psychological and physical injuries.

Lachlan Denning - Anglicare WA

Loki is the Youth Practice Consultant at Anglicare WA, previously driving a strategic initiative to build mental health support capacity across the organisation and support teams to adapt to the increasing complexity and challenge of their work. Loki’s background is in youth work, having supported young people across a range of experiences, including school disengagement, homelessness, and leadership.

Dylan Ogilvie - Melchor Contracting

Dylan is Operations Manager at Melchor and a recognised leader in the construction industry for his commitment to driving change. With over 20 years of experience, Dylan brings knowledge in operations, project delivery, and workforce development. He is a passionate advocate for mental health and psychosocial wellbeing and spearheaded Melchor’s industry-wide campaigns aimed at fostering psychologically safe workplaces.

Cherry McNicol - Town of Port Hedland

Cherry is the Executive Manager of Human Resources, Safety and Wellness at the Town of Port Hedland—a Tier One local government and globally significant mining hub. With over 20 years of international HR leadership across mining, hospitality, higher education, and not-for-profits, Cherry supports a diverse workforce of approximately 380 employees across full-time, part-time, and casual roles. Under Cherry's leadership and vision the Town has achieved the Platinum Certificate of Achievement under the WorkSafe Plan assessment process.

MC Andrew Ballam - WorkSafe, LGIRS

Andrew has been with WorkSafe for more than a decade, and is currently responsible for a number of internally-focussed functions including the development of WorkSafe inspectors and investigators and improvement of internal processes. He has experience in the public and private sectors, as well as in not-for-profit and, prior to joining WorkSafe, held roles in communications, leadership development, learning and development, and recruitment.

Questions & answers

This forum is designed for professionals committed to enhancing the management of psychosocial hazards in WA workplaces. It is ideal for those looking to take their understanding and response strategies to the next level.

Human factors and ergonomics industry members, PCBUs, health and safety representatives, workers and other professionals who have a role or interest in health and safety and prevention in WA workplaces are encouraged to attend. 

Parking map

This event does not have any resources.

Register your in-person attendance by:

3 October, 2025 5:00 pm
Add to calendar if attending in person.

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