December 2019

Shifting the safety culture

With the goal of zero workplace injuries, we are working harder than ever to ensure every person involved in our business returns home safely from work each day. At Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia (HCA), people are at the heart of our machines. While we are consistently committed to providing superior construction and mining equipment as well as remaining at the forefront of technological innovations in these industries, the safety and wellbeing of our people has and always will take precedence. As of November 21st, there have been 144 Australians killed at work in 2019. Leaving 144 families whose lives will never be the same again. Although none were related to our business directly, we strongly believe that there is more that can be done to prevent workplace fatalities. At HCA, we aim to do all we can to ensure everyone is able to return home safely after work each day. HCA has a Safety First Priority, which means that in every business decision or action we take, our primary duty is to assure the safety of all our employees and those who work with us. This extends to everyone employed within our company, our visitors and of course, our customers. Over the past year, we have reflected on a number of focus areas to improve our safety culture and performance. Suggestions and feedback from employees formed the basis of these improvements, which fell into four key pillars: Leadership, Communication, Training and Systems and Processes.




people are at the heart of our machines

Leadership – “Walking the talk”

As part of HCA’s safety strategy, our leaders set the standard for safety through their behaviours, communication and actions. They exemplify the values that underpin our safety practices. Our leaders are able to actively communicate about issues, practice safety in their everyday work, while also encouraging it in those around them. Recent leadership initiatives at HCA have included an emphasis on quality safety conversations with those who work with us, as well as the recognition of positive safety performance and outcomes.

Communication – Keeping safety at the forefront

Developing a resilient safety culture relies profoundly on effective communication and consultation at all levels about health and safety issues in the workplace. From monthly wellbeing focus topics, to a text message alert system, there has been a specific focus placed on the consistency, frequency and methods of communication about topics related to safety.

Training – Equipped to be safe, from the beginning

A review of induction processes is in place to ensure that all new HCA employees receive a clear and consistent message about the importance of Safety within the company. From the first day on the job, every single person should feel empowered and comfortable enough to stop a task if they think it is unsafe, irrespective of deadlines or pressure from external stakeholders.

Systems and Processes – Making safety second nature

Achieving a culture where safe behaviours become automatic, is more feasible when there are efficient systems and processes in place. Constant revision and enhancement of our systems, processes and procedures, such as access to electronic versions of commonly used safety documents, provides everyone with the necessary knowledge and tools to be safe every single day.

We aren’t satisfied just yet.

We are continuously driving for improvement in Safety at all levels of the business. We will continue to do so to ensure that we provide a safe and healthy workplace for anyone involved with the business.

Whilst our safety performance continues to improve, with our recordable injury frequency rate being the lowest it has ever been, we are not satisfied and will not be until we are recording zero workplace injuries. We will continue to focus on safety to ensure every single one of our employees actively work towards ensuring their own safety and that of their teams.





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#TheOrangeFamily

This week we recognised and thanked the incredible women across our business.

From workshops and mine sites to branches and offices, the leadership, capability, energy and perspective they bring every day continues to shape the future of our company.

As Ray Kitic shares in this message, our commitment goes beyond recognition. We remain focused on strengthening the pathways and opportunities that support the growth and success of women across our organisation.
Celebrating International Women’s Day

Today we recognise International Women’s Day and celebrate the contributions of women across our business and the wider construction and mining industries.

From the workshop floor and mine sites to engineering, operations, and leadership, women continue to play an important role in shaping the future of our industry.

At Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia, we’re proud to work alongside talented women across our branches, supporting innovation, capability, and progress every day.

Happy International Women’s Day!
Six years in the Army.
Now a fourth-year apprentice in Toowoomba.

Taleisha didn’t come into the trades the traditional way. After serving in the Army, she began her apprenticeship elsewhere but felt she wasn’t getting the hands-on experience needed to properly build her skills.

That changed when she joined the team.

Today her weeks can include new builds in the workshop, site work at mines, or jobs at local quarries. She works on loaders and mining equipment, services machines, installs pumps and supports major builds — backed by formal OEM training and experienced technicians around her.

Like every apprentice, she has made mistakes. On one job she damaged a seal during installation. She reported it straight away. The team worked through what happened and how to correct it.

That is how competence is built.

Six months ago, she completed her first solo service on a customer machine. It was a small milestone, but an important one — proof of progress and trust earned.

No two days look the same. That is what she values most.

Her focus now is finishing her apprenticeship and continuing her career as a tradesperson long term.

This is what development looks like:

Experience. Accountability. Support.

And technicians who are built to last.
From Trade Assistant to Apprentice Plant Mechanic 👏

At our Wacol branch, Nick is stepping into the next chapter of his journey.

Starting out as a Trade Assistant, Nick has now taken the leap into an Apprentice Plant Mechanic role - bringing hands-on experience, a strong work ethic, and a clear focus on safety.

For Nick, safety isn’t just a checklist. It’s about looking out for your team, doing the job properly, and making sure everyone goes home the way they arrived.

And he’s just getting started.

Nick is looking forward to getting up close with our mining equipment and continuing to build his skills alongside the team.

The future’s looking solid. 💪
Wheel Loaders made by Japanese craftsmanship🎌the perfect way to make them. 

#HCA #OrangeFamily🍊 #LANDCROS #WheelLoaders #Japanese #Craftsmanship
This week we recognised and thanked the incredible women across our business.

From workshops and mine sites to branches and offices, the leadership, capability, energy and perspective they bring every day continues to shape the future of our company.

As Ray Kitic shares in this message, our commitment goes beyond recognition. We remain focused on strengthening the pathways and opportunities that support the growth and success of women across our organisation.
Celebrating International Women’s Day

Today we recognise International Women’s Day and celebrate the contributions of women across our business and the wider construction and mining industries.

From the workshop floor and mine sites to engineering, operations, and leadership, women continue to play an important role in shaping the future of our industry.

At Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia, we’re proud to work alongside talented women across our branches, supporting innovation, capability, and progress every day.

Happy International Women’s Day!
Six years in the Army.
Now a fourth-year apprentice in Toowoomba.

Taleisha didn’t come into the trades the traditional way. After serving in the Army, she began her apprenticeship elsewhere but felt she wasn’t getting the hands-on experience needed to properly build her skills.

That changed when she joined the team.

Today her weeks can include new builds in the workshop, site work at mines, or jobs at local quarries. She works on loaders and mining equipment, services machines, installs pumps and supports major builds — backed by formal OEM training and experienced technicians around her.

Like every apprentice, she has made mistakes. On one job she damaged a seal during installation. She reported it straight away. The team worked through what happened and how to correct it.

That is how competence is built.

Six months ago, she completed her first solo service on a customer machine. It was a small milestone, but an important one — proof of progress and trust earned.

No two days look the same. That is what she values most.

Her focus now is finishing her apprenticeship and continuing her career as a tradesperson long term.

This is what development looks like:

Experience. Accountability. Support.

And technicians who are built to last.
From Trade Assistant to Apprentice Plant Mechanic 👏

At our Wacol branch, Nick is stepping into the next chapter of his journey.

Starting out as a Trade Assistant, Nick has now taken the leap into an Apprentice Plant Mechanic role - bringing hands-on experience, a strong work ethic, and a clear focus on safety.

For Nick, safety isn’t just a checklist. It’s about looking out for your team, doing the job properly, and making sure everyone goes home the way they arrived.

And he’s just getting started.

Nick is looking forward to getting up close with our mining equipment and continuing to build his skills alongside the team.

The future’s looking solid. 💪
Wheel Loaders made by Japanese craftsmanship🎌the perfect way to make them. 

#HCA #OrangeFamily🍊 #LANDCROS #WheelLoaders #Japanese #Craftsmanship

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