Max was nominated for a Best and Fairest Award in 2022 by his peers for his work on the ‘Fitness to Work’ Medical Assessment Guideline major sharing initiative and its’ implementation, a game changer for our industry. Max truly went ‘above and beyond’, via an enormous personal effort, demonstrating his ongoing commitment and passion for the project.

1. Describe the Project for which you won your ‘Best & Fairest’ Award, and your feelings about being recognised for your efforts?

This was in recognition of the work done to introduce the Safer Together Medical Assessment Guidelines as a mechanism for contractors to meet operator minimum requirements for fitness for duty, across WA and NT.  I’m proud of this work and the recognition – however, I’m even prouder that as an industry we were able to come together to agree on a simple, standardised approach to improve worker safety and health at our remote and offshore worksites.

2. In your sphere, what Safer Together product or program do you think contributes the most improving to safety outcomes in our industry, and why?

Prevention is usually better than cure and so, alongside the work to promote worker health and safety through medical assessments, programs such as Contain It which help individuals understand their role in preventing major accidents, standards for marine, aviation and road transportation and safety leadership programs combine to prevent injuries and illness and improve safety outcomes in our industry.

3. On a personal note, if you could live anywhere for a year, where would you live, and why?

I love living in WA, but one thing I miss here is cold weather and snow!  I have roots and relatives in Germany, so I’d live in Munich to enjoy the Bavarian hospitality, easy access to the alps, visiting family and touring around Europe.

3. Do you have anything else you would like to add?

I want to thank the Safer Together team for this recognition, but more importantly for providing a forum and the support for us to cooperate and share to improve workforce health and safety across our industry.