Sometimes a single suggestion can spark major safety improvements – the challenge is how to scale it across multiple depots.

Last year, a Grafton employee suggested their depot needed a better eye wash station to provide immediate aid if a foreign substance got into the eyes. What began as a single idea raised during a national Safe Work Month Safe-Tea session led to a depot-wide review and upgrade of first aid readiness.

Busways Safety team investigated first aid preparedness across all 20 depots assessing where incidents could occur, what systems were in place and how improvements could be made.

“It became clear that while our first aid processes were consistent, the equipment wasn’t,” explains Jo Edwards, Busways Safety Manager. “We needed to rethink the design and location of eye wash stations – if something gets in your eye and you can’t see, they need to be close by and easy to use – and improve how first aid kits were restocked.”

Every depot now has multiple strategically positioned eye wash stations with redesigned enclosures to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. First aid stock management has also been automated with suppliers dispatching directly to each depot ensuring consistency and readiness across our sites.

“By focusing on scalable systems, we created fast, simple solutions that could be deployed seamlessly across every location,” Ms Edwards said.  

These initiatives are part of a broader effort, ensuring every team member has access to the same high standard of safety equipment regardless of their location.  Throughout the year, Busways has undertaken a range of initiatives focused on employee safety and wellbeing.

“The lesson is clear - small, practical feedback can drive system-wide safety improvements,” Ms Edwards said. “When you design consistency into your safety systems, the right thing to do also becomes the easiest.”

“Safety isn’t just about high-vis vests or posters on the wall. It’s about listening, acting on feedback, and making continuous improvements,” Ms Edwards said. 

“This National Safe Work Month, we’re visiting more depots to hear from our teams on the ground and continue building safer workplaces – because safety is every job, every day.”

National Safe Work Month runs through October 2025.