safetyCast

Psychological Safety: The First Line of Defense Against Psychosocial Risk
Psychosocial risks are now front and centre in workplace safety conversations. But what can psychology teach us about preventing issues like stress, burnout, and fatigue, which are often rooted in poor work design, unhealthy environments, or harmful behaviours?
In this insightful session, Dr. Natalie Flatt, psychologist and co-founder of Connect Psych Services, joins ecoPortal’s Craig Bleakley to demonstrate how psychological safety can act as both a protective factor and a control mechanism. We unpack evidence-based approaches to embed psychological safety within health and safety practices, creating environments where employees feel secure to speak up, share concerns, and seek support without fear of negative consequences.
 
Key themes:
Psychological Safety as a Protective Factor: How building an environment of trust and openness actively prevents the escalation of psychosocial risks.
Embedding Safety in H&S Practices: Learning to integrate psychological safety into your health and safety management system to better identify and control psychosocial hazards.
Integrating Safety into Organisational Culture: Understanding how a psychologically safe culture relies on secure reporting environments, ensuring sensitive employee and incident data is protected so workers feel safe speaking up.
Tools for Leaders and Teams: Practical strategies to improve communication, enhance collaborative decision-making, and implement early intervention practices before issues escalate.
This episode is essential listening for HR and People Leaders, EHS professionals tasked with psychosocial compliance, Operations Managers, and C-level Executives seeking to embed wellbeing into their risk management strategy.
Featuring:
Dr. Natalie Flatt, PhD, Psychologist and Co-Founder of Connect Psych Services With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Flatt helps organisations build mentally healthy workplaces by translating psychological research into practical strategies. She specialises in partnering with leaders to develop emotionally intelligent, psychologically safe teams.
Available now on all major podcast platforms.

Designing for Wellbeing: Mastering Psychosocial Risk
Workplaces today are grappling with a rising tide of stress, burnout, and harassment. As regulators set new expectations for managing mental health, psychosocial risks have shifted from a “personnel issue” to a critical safety challenge. How do organisations move beyond reactive measures to design work that actually prevents harm?
In this insightful and practical episode, Vanessa Cooper, Principal Advisor at WorkSafe New Zealand, and Terry Buckingham, Wellbeing Lead at ASB Bank, join ecoPortal’s Craig Bleakley to explore how to identify and manage psychosocial issues before they escalate. We unpack real-world strategies for designing safer systems, from role clarity to physical environments, and how to foster a culture where wellbeing is built into the way work is done.
Key themes:
Psychosocial Risks are Safety Risks: Why psychosocial hazards must be managed with the same rigour as physical risks, and the guidelines influencing safety beyond traditional hazards.
Managing Risk on the Frontline: Practical insights on how to identify early warning signs, assess risks, and know exactly when, and how, to intervene effectively.
Designing for Wellbeing: How thoughtful design reduces friction and improves focus—covering everything from physical workspace layout to organisational structures and role clarity.
Leadership & Engagement: The critical role leaders play in promoting psychosocial safety through clear policies and trusted reporting mechanisms.
Technology & Data Ethics: Balancing the use of AI and monitoring tools to identify risk patterns while respecting employee privacy.
This episode is essential listening for HR and People Leaders, EHS professionals navigating new regulations, and Executives seeking to embed wellbeing into their risk management strategy.
Featuring:
Vanessa Cooper, Principal Advisor at WorkSafe NZ As the Principal Advisor for Mentally Healthy Work at New Zealand’s primary regulator, Vanessa is focused on making psychosocial risks better understood and incorporated into standard risk management processes.
Terry Buckingham, Wellbeing Lead at ASB Bank Terry designs and leads the wellbeing strategy for over 6,000 employees at ASB Bank. He has enhanced the bank’s commitment to duty of care, engaging teams with practical tools to manage psychosocial risk in a large-scale corporate environment.
Available now on all major podcast platforms.

Behind the Counter: Rethinking Safety Amid Retail Violence
As public-facing workplaces feel the pressure of rising aggression, the threat of customer violence and retail crime has evolved beyond isolated incidents. From organised attacks to growing instances of staff-targeted abuse, the safety landscape is shifting rapidly. How do employers protect their frontline teams without compromising the customer experience?
In this urgent and insight-led episode, Michael Plunkett, Head of Safety at Kmart & Target, joins ecoPortal’s Craig Bleakley to unpack the growing challenge of protecting both staff and customers. We explore real-world obstacles, from location-specific risk assessments to the psychosocial impact of aggression, and how risk management must evolve to keep up with a shifting threat landscape.
Key themes:
The New Retail Risk Map: How global crime trends, urban tensions, and organised retail crime are reshaping safety strategies in retail and customer-facing sectors.
Lessons from Recent Incidents: A review of what worked and what didn’t in recent major incidents, drawing on lessons from events like the Bondi Junction and Westfield attacks.
Psychosocial Risks in Retail: Understanding the invisible injuries—the long-term mental health effects of customer aggression on staff and what regulators are saying about psychosocial hazards.
Safety by Design: From store layout to AI surveillance, how physical environments and smart technology can influence violence and de-escalate aggression.
This episode is essential listening for Retail and Hospitality executives, EHS professionals managing public-facing risks, and HR leaders addressing psychosocial safety and incident response.
Featuring:
Michael Plunkett, Head of Safety at Kmart & Target
With over 16 years of experience in risk management across retail, logistics, and construction, Michael brings a strong track record of strategic planning and mental health initiatives. He is a people-first leader with deep expertise in engaging stakeholders from the frontline to the executive board to deliver safer work environments.
Available now on all major podcast platforms.

Cybersecurity and Safety in the Age of AI
As AI adoption accelerates across safety-critical sectors, the line between digital security and physical safety is blurring. While AI offers immense potential as an ally for safety, it also introduces sophisticated risks that can compromise data, people, and operations. How do organisations secure their digital perimeter without hindering operational performance?
In this forward-focused episode, we explore the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, and workplace safety. Host Sam Williams sits down with investigator Brian McKay (ICAM AU) to unpack the real-world risks emerging from the exponential growth of AI. We dive into how organisations can anticipate AI-related hazards, protect sensitive data, and respond effectively to incidents where digital failure leads to physical risk.
Key themes:
Securing the Digital Perimeter: What WHS leaders need to know to protect digital safety systems and sensitive data to ensure operations remain resilient and compliant.
AI as a Hazard and Control: Unpacking how to identify, assess, and manage AI-related safety risks in your operations before regulators step in.
Data Security as Safety: Understanding why data security is now a frontline safety issue, particularly regarding sensitive employee and incident information.
Cyber Safety Culture: Strategies for building a cyber-aware workforce and strengthening investigations without creating panic or overwhelming teams.
This episode is essential listening for WHS and Risk professionals, Executives managing digital transformation, and Safety Managers bridging the gap between tech and operations.
Featuring:
Brian McKay, Senior Investigator/Trainer at ICAM Australia With 30 years of experience spanning critical infrastructure, the U.S. Navy, and agencies like USINDOPACOM, Brian is a seasoned expert in cybersecurity and engineering. He brings deep expertise in developing cyber frameworks and AI-driven defence initiatives to the conversation on protecting critical systems.
Available now on all major podcast platforms.

AI in Safety: Responsible Innovation for Smarter Risk Management
AI is reshaping the way organisations manage risk, providing smarter, data-driven insights that improve workplace safety, compliance, and decision-making. But with evolving technology comes new challenges—how do we adopt AI responsibly while ensuring real impact?
In this episode, we explore AI-driven risk assessment, data analytics, and how AI is acting as a co-pilot for safety professionals worldwide. We dive into real-world applications, including AI-driven heatmaps and chat functionality, while addressing the critical questions of transparency, accuracy, and ethical use.
Key themes:
Smarter Risk Management: Using AI-driven analytics like heatmaps to identify hazards proactively.
Intelligent Safety Assistants: How AI co-pilots provide real-time insights to support frontline decision-making.
Responsible Integration: Adapting workforce training and leadership to integrate AI while maintaining trust.
Navigating Ethics & Compliance: Addressing surveillance concerns and building transparent frameworks for global compliance.
This episode is essential listening for Health & Safety leaders, Operations Managers, and HR & Legal teams looking to navigate the AI landscape responsibly.
Featuring:
Liz Hancock, Director of HSE at DCC Technology
With over 22 years of experience across diverse sectors and continents, Liz brings deep expertise in strategic leadership, enforcement, and safety management to the conversation on AI's future in the workplace.
Available now on all major podcast platforms.

The Disruptor Mindset: How Women are Reshaping Safety Leadership
In this essential safetyCast episode, we explore the evolving role and impact of women in Health & Safety. Featuring three of New Zealand's top female H&S leaders—Kristy Nicholson (Lockton), Deborah Douglas (ASB), and Nicola Knobel (Plunket)—this dynamic panel discussion explores their leadership journeys, the challenges they've faced, and the strategies they use to drive real change.
Through real-world insights and their own lived experiences, this panel challenges the status quo. They discuss why H&S needs "the disruptor mindset" and how leveraging key strengths like empathy, communication, and influence is essential to move from reactive compliance (work as imagined) to proactive, people-first risk management (work as done).
Key themes:
Owning Your Space: Overcoming challenges and breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries.
Beyond Policies: Using "soft skills" like empathy and influence to manage real-world risk, not just SOPs.
Lifting Women Up: The power of mentorship and structural change to support the next generation of H&S leaders.
The "Disruptor Mindset": Using discomfort as a catalyst for driving positive organisational change.
This episode is a must-listen for all H&S professionals, leaders, HR and diversity champions, and anyone passionate about building a more diverse, equitable, and effective safety industry.
Featuring:
Kristy Nicholson, National Head of Health & Safety at Lockton
Deborah Douglas, Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing at ASB
Nicola Knobel, Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing at Plunket
Available now on all major podcast platforms.

Beyond the Bottom of the Hill: Proactively Tackling Workplace Violence
In this essential safetyCast episode, we address the undeniable increase in violent and aggressive behavior in customer-facing workplaces. Featuring two of New Zealand's top retail safety leaders, Grace Cooper (Former GM of H&S at The Warehouse Group and currently Director of The Safety SOULutions) and Jo van den Berg (from Foodstuffs North Island), this conversation explores how to move beyond reactive measures that are often "the ambulance at the bottom of the hill".
Together, we challenge the traditional approaches to safety. Michelle and Jo share why a proactive, multi-pronged strategy—focused on primary prevention, good workplace design, and effective de-escalation—is critical for protecting employees from the growing psychological harm this issue creates.
Key themes:
Why one-off training for violent and aggressive behaviour doesn’t work and what to do instead.
How to address employee wellbeing in the face of more frequent aggressive behaviour.
Simple and practical preventative initiatives that are proven to work.
Real-world examples from workplaces that have implemented positive changes.
This episode is a must-listen for retail leaders, HR and H&S professionals, and anyone in a customer-facing industry committed to proactively protecting their people from the growing threat of workplace aggression.
Featuring:
Grace Cooper, Former GM of H&S at The Warehouse Group and currently Director of The Safety SOULutions
Jo van den Berg, Head of Safety & Wellbeing, Foodstuffs North Island
Available now on all major podcast platforms.

Retail Crime: The New Frontline in Health and Safety
In this crucial safetyCast episode, we confront the escalating issue of retail crime and its transformation into a major health and safety crisis for customer-facing industries. Featuring insights from Lisa White, Head of Protective Services at Bank of New Zealand (BNZ), this conversation explores the real-world challenges of protecting employees from increasing aggression and violence.
Together, we go beyond the staggering financial costs to uncover the deep psychosocial impact on frontline staff. Lisa shares BNZ’s practical strategies for managing these evolving risks, from de-escalation techniques and staff training to rethinking the physical environment itself.
Key themes:
The scale of physical and psychological violence in retail.
The hidden costs: burnout, trauma, and the impact on mental health.
Actionable strategies for training, de-escalation, and safer workplace design.
The future of long-term employee support in high-risk environments.
Whether you're a retail manager, WHS professional, or C-suite executive, this episode provides essential, practical solutions for creating a safer, more supportive work environment for your team.
Featuring:
Lisa White, Head of Protective Services, Bank of New Zealand (BNZ)
Available now on all major podcast platforms.

The Ambiguity of Wellbeing: Rethinking Mental Health in the Workplace
In this safetyCast episode, we unpack the complex and often misunderstood concept of "wellbeing" and what it truly means for mental health in the workplace. Featuring insights from EY’s Roberto C Garcia and Samantha Thomas, this conversation explores why a strategic, clearly defined approach to mental health is essential for building healthier, more engaged organisations.
Together, we discuss how leadership, governance, and measurable initiatives can shape effective psychosocial risk management, and why it’s time to move beyond vague wellbeing programs toward real cultural impact.
Key themes:
Why "wellbeing" needs a clearer definition in the workplace
The role of measurement in evaluating mental health strategies
Leadership's responsibility in managing psychosocial risks
How culture and governance intersect with mental health outcomes
Whether you're a health and safety leader, HR professional, or business executive, this episode offers essential perspectives to support your people and build a more resilient workplace.
Featuring:
Roberto C Garcia, Lead Partner, Mental Health and Psychosocial Risk Management, EY
Samantha Thomas, Senior Manager, Environment, Health and Safety (EHS), EY
Available now on all major podcast platforms.

In this episode of safetyCast, we dive into the complexities of crafting an effective mental health strategy in large, diverse workplaces.
Listen to Conor Duffy, founder of Psychosocial Safety Solutions and former Head of Health & Safety at Kmart Australia. In this episode he unpacks the building blocks of a successful psychosocial strategy that supports every level of the organisation, from head office to the frontline.
Conor shares practical, experience-backed insights into:
Embedding psychological safety into your broader WHS strategy
The role of initiatives like EAPs and Psychological First Aid
Setting up systems for support, measurement, and continuous improvement
Whether you’re a CEO, people leader, or safety professional, this conversation will equip you with actionable ideas to elevate mental wellbeing across your workplace and meet the growing expectations around psychosocial risk.
Available now on all major podcast platforms.