Celia Antonovsky, chairperson of the board at the Australian Institute of Health and Safety, urged Pacific employers and regulators last week to stop adopting one-size-fits-all safety systems and instead design health and safety arrangements that reflect each organisation’s unique context. Speaking at the Fiji OHS Conference at the Crowne Plaza Nadi Bay Resort, Antonovsky said solutions that work in one setting may not translate directly to another and stressed the importance of tailoring policies to local needs.
“This is why regional dialogue, such as this one, taking place here is critical,” Antonovsky told conference delegates. She said gatherings that bring together practitioners, regulators and business leaders enable the sharing of experiences, the adaptation of best practices and the development of locally relevant solutions — a process she described as essential for meaningful progress in workplace safety across the Pacific.
Antonovsky outlined the dual focus required for contemporary occupational health and safety: addressing both psychosocial hazards and traditional physical risks. She characterised the shift as an ongoing journey that “requires commitment, collaboration, and willingness to challenge long-held assumptions about workplace safety and wellbeing.” Her message highlighted that improving safety is not a single policy change but a sustained process of culture change and practical adaptation.
The board chair emphasised the centrality of people to every safety framework. “Individuals who deserve to work in environments that are not only supporting their productivity but their dignity and their wellbeing,” she said, reminding employers that policies and frameworks must be designed around human needs and experiences rather than purely regulatory checklists.
Antonovsky’s remarks reinforce calls from safety experts for more nuanced, context-aware approaches across sectors — from tourism and hospitality to construction and public services — where organisational size, workforce composition and local social conditions can shape both risks and effective responses. By advocating for regional conversation, she signalled a preference for collaborative learning across borders rather than the wholesale importation of overseas models.
Conference organisers and participants were urged to use the event as a catalyst for action: to test assumptions, share what has and hasn’t worked, and forge partnerships that can translate discussion into workplace practice. Antonovsky called on leaders to commit to that work, saying that multi-stakeholder collaboration will be essential to embed psychosocial safety alongside conventional OHS measures.
Her appearance at the Fiji OHS Conference marks the latest development in a growing regional focus on workplace wellbeing and safety systems that reflect local realities. Delegates left with a renewed emphasis on designing fit-for-purpose policies and on the value of ongoing dialogue to adapt global best practice to Pacific workplaces.