Trialsafe Update March 2025

Welcome to our March update. We look forward to sharing our insights with you this month.

From the Chair

Welcome our third newsletter instalment for 2025.

I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the rest of the Board, to welcome Roberta Selleck to the Trialsafe Board. Bobbie joins us with a wealth of knowledge and experience, firstly as a Lecturer and published Researcher at Edith Cowan University in WA, an experienced Health and Safety consultant, and manager of health and safety within the construction industry. We all look forward to having you join the Trialsafe journey.

Alan Harris
Trialsafe Chair

 

Congratulations

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Trialsafe‘s own Steph Lunn and her partner Dylan on the birth of their first child. Bailey Kate Sparks arrived safe and sound on January 27th, 2025.

Wishing you both all the best on the incredible journey that is parenthood.

Meet Our Newest Board Member – Roberta Selleck

Roberta, better known as Bobbie, is a seasoned Principal Consultant and HSE Specialist with a PhD in Critical Control Risk Management and ongoing research in the field. With a wealth of experience spanning frontline remote site work to global executive responsibilities, Bobbie has contributed extensively across resources sectors, including oil & gas, mining, and construction. Her expertise has driven organisational change, and paradigm shifts in HSE cultures through the development and implementation of effective risk management programs.

Bobbie has worked with a diverse range of public and private sector clients across Australia and internationally in sectors such as Oil & Gas, Water, Power, Chemical, and Mining. A natural problem-solver, her strength lies in assessing business challenges and crafting solutions that foster cultural transformation while minimising risk.

Currently, Bobbie shares her extensive knowledge through postgraduate research and lecturing in Work Health and Safety at Edith Cowan University. Known for her resilience under pressure, unwavering work ethic, and integrity, Bobbie is driven by a mission to make a meaningful impact—one conversation at a time.

Safety Design Regulation Updates

Aside from all of the important work we do in the Agricultural Research Industry, driving is also often a large part of what we do in doing that work. Driving alone represents one of the most hazardous elements of our job, but it is also a hazard that is limited in the controls we can put in place. One such control is to ensure the vehicles we spend so much time in are fit for purpose and carrying as many safety features as possible.

This will become somewhat easier with vehicles leased or purchased after the 1st of March when the new ADR regulations come into effect. The new legislation states that almost all new vehicles sold in Australia – regardless of when they were introduced – will require standard fitment of car-to-car autonomous emergency braking (AEB), and from 2026 this will also include car to pedestrian AEB.

The safety authority estimates the implementation of the two new ADRs will save 580 lives and avoid 20,400 serious and 73,340 minor injuries. Or, in monetary terms, a net benefit of $1.9 billion.

Data from the Monash University Accident Research Centre shows AEB can reduce vehicle occupant trauma by 28 per cent, while Euro NCAP data says it can cut rear-end crashes by 40 per cent.

You can find a full list of current ADR requirements here.

Trialsafe Prospectus 2025

Trialsafe relies exclusively on the generous contribution of its sponsors and supporters. With their help our seminars and podcast continue to be free to anyone with an interest in rural health and safety.

Our 2025 prospectus is now available online for your perusal. If you or your business are in the position to become a sponsor, we would love to hear from you. You can access our prospectus here.

Together, we can create safer workplaces in the agricultural sector.

Sponsor Recognition

Trialsafe would not be what it is today without the support of our generous sponsors. This month we recognise the contributions of one of our Silver Sponsors – Trial Supplies.

Trial Supplies is a unique Australian business, created with the aim of enabling individuals to conduct their own research safely and efficiently. The team has spent close to a decade working either as field researchers or agronomists in the agricultural sector.

Trial Supplies provides a one-stop shop for the procurement of all your spray trial needs, bringing new and novel spray equipment to the market. With a focus on safety and efficiency, the new patented spray boom designs aim to bring the industry up to the highest operator safety standards.

We thank Trial Supplies for their ongoing support of Trialsafe.