The Utilities Forum was a revolutionary idea to improve driver safety across the Utilities sector.

This was achieved by collecting common safety related data and information from
each partner business, analysing that data and sharing insights at an annual ‘forum’ to inform
effective responses.

Established in 2015, the forum is an indisputable success, with partners returning each year to
witness the impact of measures and access innovative ideas that have emerged from partners’ experiences. Genuine openness and collaboration is the foundation of the group’s success in achieving a united goal. Trust within the group is cemented with strong friendships and continued direct sharing of safer driving strategies throughout the year. 

Annual forums are hosted by a partner business, giving their leadership the chance to share
their story on “why” workplace road safety matters to them, their workers and the community
they service.

forum Hosts

• 2014 – SA Power Networks in Adelaide
• 2015 – Telstra in Melbourne
• 2016 – Water Corporation in Perth
• 2017 – Origin Energy in Brisbane
• 2018 – APA Group in Sydney
• 2019 – Santos in Sydney
• 2020 – Online (Covid)
• 2021 – Online (Covid)
• 2022 – APA Group in Melbourne
• 2023 – Optus in Sydney
• 2024 – Hydro Tasmania in Hobart

Evolution Towards UF2

Four Reasons to get involved.

1. Access a collective ‘brains trust’ tackling common issues
2. Design and implement effective solutions that match your situation
3. Build a safety culture that brings workers with you
4. World-first national benchmarking initiative targeting work driving risks

By 2022, it was time for the forum to evolve, with members expressing their desire for a stronger
focus on leading risk factors from dozens of identified risks. They realised the risks that received
attention and funding were more driven by products in the marketplace promising a revolutionary
improvement than data. With the evidence rarely living up to the promise, they needed to get better
at targeting the real risks. A changing global reporting landscape, led by increasing demand for
reporting on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments and improvements, was an opportunity for the Utilities sector, with safety being the primary ‘S’ obligation for ESG reporting.
The bulk of the industry’s workforce drives daily and face enormous risks.

Members wanted metrics that met these obligations by providing real evidence of improved safety
outcomes benchmarked across industry, evidence valued by Boards and business leaders.

The new model was conducted as a pilot to test the right criteria were being measured and that
driver experiences were consistent across the industry.

Optus hosted the inaugural Utilities Forum 2.0 (UF2). Members were excited by the updated
structure and the new model was formalised, with key learnings adapted and applied at the forum
hosted by Hydro Tasmania in late 2024.