KEEPING workplaces safe is a daily priority for Nakikus Tion, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Field Officer with Australia’s Economic and Social Infrastructure Program (ESIP) in Papua New Guinea.
In partnership with the Government of PNG, ESIP delivers critical infrastructure across energy, telecommunications, health, and markets while also supporting PNG’s state‑owned enterprise reform program.
Each day, hundreds of people work across ESIP project sites and offices.
HSE professionals, such as Nakikus, play a vital role in protecting the health, safety, and well-being of workers, contractors, and partners.
Through regular health and safety training, delivered with the PNG Fire Service and St John Ambulance, Nakikus and his team are building safety capability.
The training and awareness sessions help staff, contractors, and partners understand safety risks and respond confidently in both on-site and office settings.
Strong health and safety practices help reduce workplace incidents.
Training improves awareness and decision‑making, enabling workers to identify risks early and apply safe work practices every day.
Project staff build safety into day-to-day work, from site inductions and prestart safety meetings to clear safety requirements for contractors and visitors.
This consistent approach encourages everyday safe behaviours, such as workers feeling confident to raise risks, checking conditions before starting tasks, and following agreed safety procedures.
“If safety messaging can save one life, it is worth repeating,” Nakikus said.
“It helps build a strong culture of safety, which is just as important as building the infrastructure.”
Reflecting on why health and safety matter most to him, Nakikus said everyone deserves to go to work and return home safely.
“Protecting our people means protecting their families, communities, and the long‑term success of our projects,” he said.
Workplace safety is more than policies and procedures. It is about building a culture of care that keeps people safe every day and lasts beyond a single project.
Australia has supported health and safety training for more than 20 local contractor firms and delivered training throughout a dozen provinces.
This work helps embed safety into how infrastructure is planned, built, and maintained, supporting safer workplaces now and into the future.