The Invisible Forces That Shape Our Safety Experience

When we talk about safety at work, we often find our minds jumping straight to the tangible; a procedure, guardrail, or a precarious placed box falling from a shelf. While avoiding physical injury is non-negotiable, the true essence of safety lies not in a manual, but in the experience of simply showing up.

In October 2025, ePIC (ecoPortal Ignite & Connect) returned for its second edition and the conversation moved beyond the clipboard. We had the privilege of hearing from Benny Mathews, National Strategy and Risk Manager for Health and Safety at Kmart. Benny shared his insights into Psychological Safety, and we found ourselves inspired to share what we learned about making safety a genuine, felt experience.

Benny opened the session by posing a critical question: What actually shapes the safety experience at work?

According to Benny, the answer lies in understanding the concept of "unsafety”. While physical dangers — like a falling box — are obvious risks, the psychological sensation of unsafety is insidious. It can manifest as the anxiety of expression, or the avoidance of ridicule based on one's actions and behaviour.

“As I've moved through different workplaces and now into safety leadership, I've come to see that how people feel at work often determines how safely they work… Safety isn't just about hard hats, checklists, rules. It's about how you experience being in a place.” - Benny Mathews

The core argument presented was that safety is not merely a system of rules; it’s a byproduct of how people treat one another. When employees feel supported and valued, they don't just feel better, they work safer.

To illustrate this, Benny broke down the state in which people perform at their best. The audience learned that peak performance, and by extension, peak safety, occurs when people feel:

Physically: Strong and energised.

Mentally: Calm and confident.

Socially: Connected and supported.

Drawing on a growing body of evidence, including work by Sentis Australia, Benny highlighted three key needs that must be met to sustain this state: autonomy, competence, and belonging.

“When people feel trusted, capable and connected, they make better decisions and take fewer unnecessary risks. But when one of those things is missing, when someone feels disconnected or uncertain, safety becomes fragile.” - Benny Mathews

The presentation made it clear that safety systems are fragile. Policies and slogans lose their power the moment an employee feels undervalued or isolated. To combat this, Benny introduced a holistic model comprising three interacting dimensions of the safety experience:

The Physical: Rest, recovery, and the right tools.

The Psychological: Role clarity and the safety to speak up.

The Social: Trust, manager support, and inclusion.

The takeaway for leaders is that these dimensions can’t exist without each other and it’s the role of an organisation and leader to make sure they support each pillar of this experience.

“Safety success for us at Kmart is more than just reaching zero injuries, It's about creating a positive experience of safety at work. When we invest heavily in all three areas, people don't just avoid harm, they thrive.” - Benny Mathews

Ultimately, Benny left the room with a compelling vision for the future of the industry. By investing in the physical, psychological, and social needs of the workforce, companies can move beyond simply helping their people avoid harm — they can create an environment where they thrive.

This short and snappy read is part of our Safety Snack© series, made for busy safety pros who like their insights one bite at a time.