Once again on the Culturally Intelligent Safety Professional we have connected with a fabulous guest from Aotearoa’s great west Island of Australia and we are talking FR&NKly with Rick Fox from Health and Safety consultancy FR&NK. Rick is a proud First Nations man from the Wiradjuri mob in Central West NSW. 

Rick shares his diverse background and experiences in various sectors including state government, local government, and energy distribution and discusses his journey into the safety profession, emphasizing his time as a mature apprentice in Sydney's energy distribution sector, where he developed a keen interest in health and safety. He talks about founding FR&NK highlighting the shared values and humor held between himself and his business partner that facilitated their partnership.

A significant part of the conversation focuses on Rick's work with First Nations councils in Queensland, helping them meet safety compliance in culturally appropriate ways. Rick explains the importance of understanding and respecting cultural norms when implementing safety measures in Aboriginal communities, such as the preference for non-confrontational communication styles and the importance of community well-being over individual achievement. He underscores the need for safety professionals to be culturally informed and respectful, adapting their approaches to fit the specific context and needs of the communities they work with.

The podcast also touches on the broader theme of cultural intelligence in safety practices, comparing approaches in Australia with those in New Zealand, particularly the integration of te ao Māori practices in health and safety. We agree on the value of curiosity and respect in engaging with different cultures and the importance of understanding context to create effective and respectful safety strategies.

Rick concludes with a preview of his upcoming appearance at the Safeguard Conference in New Zealand, where he will share insights from his work with First Nations organizations and participate in a myth-busting session on psychosocial hazards. For those of you heading to the conference on the 18th & 19th June, catch up with Rick and have a yarn. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-fox-/

https://frnkcapability.com/

https://safeguard.co.nz/events/safeguard-national-health-safety-conference-2024/#agenda