Building Safety into Everyday Work

As part of Safe Work Month, we sat down with Wire General Manager Adam Franklin to talk about how safety is built into daily work-through robust controls, systems, and a culture that values prevention as much as outcomes.

Q: In your own words, what do robust controls mean in a workplace like ours?
Robust controls are the layers of protection we put in place to keep people safe. They can take the form of physical equipment like guards and barriers, or administrative systems such as documented standards, work instructions and preventative maintenance. We make sure our people are trained to use them, and we coach and audit regularly to ensure compliance.

The key point is that if one control fails, another is there to stop someone from getting hurt. It’s easy to measure the injuries that happen, but the real value is in the injuries that are prevented because the controls are clear, practical and consistently applied.

Q: Why is it important to talk about the presence of strong systems, rather than just the absence of incidents?
“Nothing bad is happening” isn’t the same as “everything is safe.” Our systems govern so much of what we do producing products, servicing customers, maintaining equipment and, most importantly, keeping our people safe.

Every time we experience a failure, whether it’s an injury, equipment issue, or customer concern we investigate, find the root cause and put a fix in place. That might mean upgrading systems, plant, or training. It’s about learning and locking those lessons in. Wire has been doing this for more than 100 years, and every improvement makes us stronger and safer.

Q: Can you share some examples of robust controls in the Wire business?
One of the most significant ongoing improvements is the investment in technology to upgrade and guard our equipment. Our in-house electrical engineering team works constantly on projects to bring machines up to the latest safety categories.

These upgrades control hazardous movement during operator interactions and machine isolation. They also improve reliability, control and productivity. A lot of this work happens behind the scenes within the machines themselves, but it’s been crucial in preventing critical incidents. The team has even identified and corrected mismatches between how coding was supplied versus what was specified, those details matter.

Q: How do these controls give people confidence that risks are being managed?
People can see the controls – whether it’s guarding, isolation provisions, or driver safe zones. They also see that these systems are being maintained and upgraded. Combine that with strong training and regular checks for understanding, and people know that safety isn’t just talk, it’s actively managed.

Q: What role does verification play?
Verification is essential. Over time, people can forget why a control exists. Strong verification systems make sure those lessons aren’t lost, and standards don’t slip.

We verify through audits, Critical Risk Inspections by subject matter experts and the safety team, and observations by leaders. Preventative maintenance programs check both mechanical and electrical systems. And we rely on our operators to speak up if something doesn’t seem right. It’s a continuous cycle of checking, learning and improving.

Q: How do you encourage teams to see controls as part of everyday work, not just compliance?
Working safely is a skill you develop through education and experience. If people understand the “why” behind each control – what risk, it manages and who it protects, they’re much more likely to value and maintain it.

We focus on building that context into our training, so the knowledge gets passed on. Safety isn’t just about following a rule, t’s about understanding what’s at stake.

Q: Finally, what message would you like people across InfraBuild to take away during Safe Work Month?
Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Take the time to understand the controls in your area – why they exist and what risks they protect against. If you’re ever unsure, ask your OHS Rep, Safety & Training Coordinator, or supervisor. They’ll be glad to explain.

Controls only work when we value them. By being educated and engaged, each of us can be a safety leader. That’s how we keep building a workplace where risks are managed, and people go home safe every day.

Pictured: Adam Franklin, Nat Clark, Jeni Holland, Adam Mathieson, Scott Lancaster, Ryan Mander