The IT and telecommunications sectors have established themselves as the leaders in workplace safety in Australia, according to a recent study. The Australian Workplace Safety Market Research Report, commissioned by Rapid Global and conducted by Research Without Barriers, surveyed over 1,000 safety managers, workers, and contractors across various high-risk industries. Findings indicate that these sectors exhibit a strong level of digital safety maturity, high trust in safety systems, and a proactive approach to incident management.
Key Findings in Digital Safety Maturity
The report reveals that the IT and telecoms industries are the most digitally mature and confident regarding safety protocols. Workers reported that only 9 percent observed incidents or near-misses that went unreported, while 53 percent stated that all reported incidents resulted in corrective action. Furthermore, a significant 66 percent of workers believe that safety is taken very seriously within their organizations.
The reliance on paper-based safety processes has diminished, with only 16 percent of workers using manual methods for safety tasks. A notable 63 percent of respondents expressed that their safety software is user-friendly, indicating a shift towards more efficient digital solutions.
Interestingly, the desire for consolidation is evident among workers. More than one-third, or 38 percent, prefer managing all safety tasks through a single system or application. This trend highlights the industry’s demand for streamlined processes rather than an increase in the number of tools.
AI Adoption and Future Directions
The research also points to a strong interest in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within safety management. Almost half of the surveyed workers, 47 percent, believe that AI and robotics will significantly impact safety management within the next five years. Additionally, 53 percent feel that linking induction data to site access can enhance safety measures.
Professor Dr. Andrew Sharman, a leading figure in safety culture and CEO of the International Institute of Leadership & Safety Culture, emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between policy and practice. He stated, “Safety is often well documented, yet not consistently felt by people on the ground. Bridging the gap between policy and practice is less about systems alone and much more about leadership. Trust is the critical differentiator.”
Ezequiel Gonzalez, Head of Revenue at Rapid Global, noted that while Australia has made significant strides in workplace safety, there remains a risk of complacency. He stated, “Complex, high-risk environments require more than simply checking boxes. Technology should not replace human judgement but make it sharper. When systems are easier to use and data is easier to act on, safer outcomes follow.”
The research suggests that organizations achieving improvements in safety outcomes are those that focus on reducing friction, automating enforcement, and making safe behavior the default option in daily operations. This finding supports the idea that the IT and telecoms sectors are poised to lead the next evolution in workplace safety by adopting intelligent, AI-enabled controls.
For those interested in exploring the full findings, the report is available at https://rapidglobal.com/lp/au-market-research/.
Rapid Global is an Australian AI-powered platform dedicated to transforming workplace safety and compliance. With over 7 million users globally, it combines more than 20 years of industry experience, offering a comprehensive approach to safety management that includes contractor pre-qualification, online inductions, visitor management, site access control, audits, AI-enabled camera monitoring, and incident reporting.
As the IT and telecoms sectors demonstrate significant progress in safety maturity, their commitment to integrating advanced technologies sets a benchmark for other industries to follow. With strong cultural foundations and a willingness to innovate, these sectors are at the forefront of a safer workplace environment in Australia.
