Today we celebrate Lauren Baggoley (Senior Advisor Medical Health and Wellbeing, Santos), a 2023 Best and Fairest Award winner for her contribution to our Health Working Group.
Lauren is a member of both our Qld and WA/NT Health Working Groups (and impressively never misses a meeting!). Lauren was chosen for this award for her incredible dedication and commitment following our On-Site Accommodation Psychological Health and Safety Guideline from inception to its’ (imminent) launch.
Thank you for all your hard work Lauren, our Health Working Groups couldn’t do what they do without you (evidenced by winning this Award 2 years running)!
Q. Congratulations on being awarded a Best and Fairest Award for 2023! Describe your feelings about being recognised for your efforts.
Honestly, it was a lovely surprise. I feel that we have achieved a lot this year, with a lot of work going on behind the scenes with the Accommodation Guideline, and the review of the Heat Stress Guideline across both Health Working Groups.
The people involved have all worked really hard outside of their “day jobs”, so it was nice to be recognised as a key contributor to these great initiatives.
Q. In your professional opinion, what Safer Together Product, Program or Initiative deserves more attention from industry, and why?
This is a tough one, there are so many great programs and products that Safer Together has been involved in developing and promoting to make our industry safer as a whole.
I think that the Fitness to Work Medical Assessment Guideline was a huge piece of work that I was lucky enough to be involved in, and I can really see that being a key piece with respect to consistency and quality of fitness to work medicals across the industry, cutting down on unnecessary medicals for contractors, as well as individuals moving between companies.
Q. What would you say to someone who was considering entering our industry?
I encourage anyone who is looking to enter the industry to take the plunge and do it. There are so many opportunities both here in Australia and overseas, and a wide variety of career options no matter your current skillset.
The move towards decarbonisation and low carbon fuels is also really exciting and to be able to contribute to that is something to be immensely proud of.
Q. What would be your elevator pitch to someone thinking about joining a Safer Together Working Group?
Working Groups provide a really great opportunity for collaboration across the industry.
I have been able to form relationships with counterparts that have extended beyond the Health Working Group. During Covid we started having regular catchups to share thoughts and ideas for management, and we have continued this now - talking about how we are all managing psychosocial hazards. It is also an opportunity to work on some great projects, and you meet some really great people.
Q. Do you have anything else you would like to add?
Just to re-iterate the importance of Safer Together as our industry safety and collaboration hub. We are a rapidly changing industry and the importance of working together to continually improve the health and safety of our workforces is paramount.