A Conversation with Simon Williamson, Chair of FTMA’s National Safety Council

Simon Williamson, Chair, National Safety Council

 

Introducing the new Chair of FTMA's National Safety Council - Simon Williamson. Simon has a background in manufacturing, transport, construction and project management, underpinned with a passion for safety. Simon continues this passion through the NSC and via his consulting business, helping members and small to medium business’s navigate and comply with their workplace health and safety obligations. Simon will be much valued in his role.

 

Safety Beyond Compliance 

 

Q: Simon, can you start by telling us a bit about your background and how you came to where you are today?

Absolutely. I’m based in Northeast Victoria, just outside Wangaratta, and my career has spanned manufacturing, construction and project management. I’ve worked on large-scale civil construction projects—things like rail duplications, gas pipelines and fibre optic infrastructure.
In 2015, I established a consulting business, Management and Safety Solutions, to help small and medium-sized businesses navigate workplace health and safety obligations. Interestingly, one of my clients was Alpine Truss, where I later became General Manager. I worked closely with the business for about six years before stepping into that leadership role and guiding its transition into the Metcash Group.

What really set me on this path was an early experience on a worksite. Someone asked me if I was a “responsible person” under the Mines Act. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what that meant. When I looked into it, I realised I was legally responsible for all of our workers across multiple sites. That moment was a turning point - it pushed me to upskill, gain formal qualifications in workplace health and safety, and ultimately shape my career in this space.

 

Q: Why are you so passionate about workplace safety?

My passion comes from direct experience. I’ve seen incidents happen, and I don’t want to see them repeated. Safety isn’t just about compliance - it’s about people. Businesses aren’t just about profit -  they’re about the individuals who work within them. If you don’t look after your people, your business won’t flourish.
There’s still a mindset in some workplaces that safety is a box-ticking exercise. I strongly disagree with that. Safety is about culture. If you want to be an employer of choice and a responsible corporate citizen, you need to be known for prioritising safety - not just meeting minimum standards.

I’ve seen firsthand the consequences of poor safety practices, including serious injuries like amputations. These are life-changing events, not just for the individual but for the entire workplace. The reality is, many incidents are preventable with the right systems, training and leadership in place.

 

Q: You’ve mentioned the idea of safety as culture rather than compliance. Can you expand on that?

Culture starts at the top. Leadership sets the tone. If managers and business owners don’t model safe behaviours, employees won’t take safety seriously either.
Safety culture is about consistency, accountability and leading by example. It’s also about rejecting the idea that injuries are “just part of the job.” Too many businesses accept minor injuries as inevitable - cuts, near misses, or worse. That mindset needs to change. With proper systems and training, most incidents can be avoided.

 

Q: What are you hoping to achieve in your role as Chair of FTMA’s National Safety Council?

My goal is to help members move from compliance-based safety to culture-driven safety. That means providing practical tools, resources and access to expertise so businesses can build effective safety systems.
We’re not just talking about policies on paper - we’re talking about real, implementable solutions. That includes documentation, training pathways, and connecting members with subject matter experts who can support them.
Another key focus is collaboration. Larger organisations often have highly mature safety systems - we need to find ways to share that knowledge with smaller operators so the entire sector can improve.
Ultimately, lifting safety standards across the industry benefits everyone - from workers to employers to the broader community.

 

Q: What can FTMA members, and the sector, expect from you and the Safety Council?

First and foremost, I’m approachable. Members can come to me with safety questions or concerns, and if I don’t have the answer, I’ll connect them with someone who does.
The Safety Council is also about collective insight. We have representation from businesses of all sizes, and that diversity helps us identify common challenges and opportunities across the sector.

In addition, I’m available for site visits and discussions around safety practices and compliance. Through my consultancy, I can also offer more in-depth support - things like hazard identification, risk assessments, safety audits, gap analyses, and the development of tailored safety management systems.

 

Q: Finally, what’s the key message you’d like to leave with FTMA members?

Safety is not a burden - it’s an investment. When you prioritise safety, you’re investing in your people, your reputation and your long-term success.
The businesses that embrace safety as part of their culture - not just a compliance requirement - will be the ones that thrive. They’ll attract better talent, build stronger teams, and ultimately perform better.

At the end of the day, everyone deserves to go home safe. That’s what this is all about.