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Building a Safer Mitchpine: The Story Behind Our Health & Safety Culture

How one person's genuine commitment to the wellbeing of others has shaped the way we work — and the way we look out for each other.

A safe and healthy workplace doesn't happen by accident. It takes consistent effort, genuine care, and someone willing to champion it every single day. At Mitchpine, that person is Pat Mason, our Health, Safety and Compliance Manager.

Since stepping into the role, Pat has done far more than meet compliance requirements. He has built real relationships across every department, earning the trust and respect of staff through daily toolbox talks and an open-door approach that makes it easy for anyone to raise a concern or share an idea.

Pat's focus has always been on people first. He introduced tailored safety training programmes designed around different departments and roles, ensuring every team member has the knowledge to identify and manage risk in their environment. Alongside this, he carries out regular safety audits and risk assessments — acting swiftly to eliminate or reduce hazards before they become problems.

What sets Pat apart is his understanding that looking after people means looking after the whole person. He has championed wellbeing initiatives that support mental and emotional health, not just physical safety, helping to reduce stress and improve how we all show up at work.

The results speak for themselves. Our ACC Experience Rating recently came back with a 24.53% levy discount — a saving of $12,555.83 — placing Mitchpine in the top performance band. Our ACC relationship manager described it as an excellent outcome, noting that a similar business would be very pleased with a result like ours. That result is a direct reflection of the safety culture Pat has worked hard to build.

But numbers only tell part of the story. Pat is a mentor, a sounding board, and a trusted presence across the business. He makes time for people — whether the issue is on the floor or outside of work — and leads always with compassion and a genuine desire to help. Because of Pat, Mitchpine is not just a safer place to work. It is a better one.