NEWS
Tackling human error around mobile machinery—how behavioural science Is transforming workplace safety.
Human error remains the most persistent and challenging cause of workplace injuries and fatalities, especially around mobile machinery. Despite decades of safety protocols, machinery operators and drivers continue to be the most vulnerable workers—accounting for 42% of all workplace fatalities in Australia. Over the past ten years, there have been more than 1,800 deaths and 1.1 million serious injury claims linked to workplace incidents involving machinery. Clearly, traditional safety measures alone are not enough.
Proximity detection versus Safety Halo—which is actually better for mobile plant safety?
In high-risk industries like mining, civil construction, and logistics, the safety of workers around mobile plant is non-negotiable. With vehicle interactions accounting for a large portion of workplace fatalities, many organisations are now weighing the benefits of proximity detection systems versus visual systems like Safety Halo. So how do these two approaches compare—and which one is right for your site?
Instinctive safety—leveraging colour, contrast and motion to save lives in the workplace.
Choosing the right Safety Halo system involves considering both technology and colour. The Safety Halo system leverages deep red lighting to trigger a psychological safety reflex, prompting individuals to instinctively remove themselves from danger zones. Red is a powerful colour associated with danger, urgency, and warning, deeply rooted in human instincts. This innate response aligns with the Peltzman Effect or Risk Compensation theory, which suggests that people will move away from perceived danger before it occurs.
Safe… or sorry? The psychological trap of workplace safety.
Does the implementation of safety devices in the workplace cause employees to take greater risks because they feel safer? The fight-or-flight response, triggered by immediate perceptions of danger, leads to rapid physiological changes such as heightened alertness and increased heart rate, preparing individuals to confront or escape threats. Conversely, risk compensation theory suggests that workers may adjust their behaviour based on their perceived levels of safety, potentially taking greater risks if they feel protected by safety protocols or equipment.
Is the Laser Safety Halo safe for human exposure? What mining and industrial sites need to know.
At Incident Zero, safety is more than a feature—it’s the foundation of our products. One of our most common questions from mining and heavy industrial clients relates to the Laser Safety Halo system and the potential risks associated with laser exposure.In particular, we’re often asked: How close can a person be to the laser without being at risk? Are there official health studies or safety certifications that confirm this laser is safe for human use? Let’s answer these questions directly—starting with the facts about laser classifications.
Distance is your best defence—a smarter approach to work safety.
Workplace tragedies must end—your team’s safety can’t wait. Every year, between 65 and 75 machinery operators and drivers are killed at work in Australia. That makes it the nation’s most dangerous occupation. In Victoria alone, WorkSafe reports that one worker is injured every week in forklift accidents. These tragedies should not be accepted as ‘part of the job.’ The reality is that preventing these accidents is much simpler than many people think.