Ambassador Interview Series | Voices of Sydney Build - Brian Dermody
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In our Ambassador Interview Series — Voices of Sydney Build, we spotlight leaders, advocates and rising stars driving change across Australia’s construction and design industry. Each episode features a handpicked ambassador sharing their story, inspirations, insights and positive wins.
< Introducing Brian Dermody - Head of HSQW at Gamuda >
1) A short Bio
With more than 30 years’ experience in work health and safety within various highly regulated industries and across major and mega infrastructure projects. He has held national roles leading the management and implementation of effective health, safety, environment and quality (HSEQ) systems, processes and procedures. A strong leader, Brian provides mentoring to senior and frontline management teams to ensure the delivery of safe work practices, and HSEQW systems, together with being a trusted and respected leader, recognised for devising, developing, implementing and driving strategies to maximise safety. He excels at driving a strong and proactive safety culture, and transforming projects by reorganising, repositioning and reinvigorating teams, all while developing talented and high-impact professionals.
I believe in ‘concept to execution’ safety management.
2) Fun fact + What first drew you to a career in health and safety??
From Military, Emergency Services to working in other high risk environments there has always been a discussion and need around safety, it however needs a passion to drive the outcomes and to be part of the conversation and solutions.
3) With over 30 years across tunnelling, marine, civil, and construction projects worth billions, you've seen the industry transform. What's the biggest shift in safety culture you've witnessed – and what still needs to change?
We still have some of the same concerns and risks facing our workforce, however we have allowed bureaucracy to drive the process rather than keeping it simple and put in place the logical steps. We need to declutter some of the meaningless paperwork from the system, not rely on what was done last time and allow safety to become a real-time part of the work at hand. In short safety is simple and give people (not paperwork) the opportunity to solve the problems and be part of the solution.
4) You're an ambassador for mental health and construction wellbeing at Sydney Build. Psychological safety is finally getting attention, but what practical steps have you seen actually work on the ground to support workers
A move towards positive culture and recognition has demonstrated good outcomes across the industry. Continuously providing resources and training allows greater education and interaction in an area that is at most times quite silent and we need to provide and demonstrate not only a physically safe workplace but committed to Psychosocially safe workplace that positively support conversations around mental health.
5) You've also championed diversity and signed on as a Construction Mentor. What does meaningful mentorship look like to you – and how can senior leaders create environments where diverse talent genuinely thrives
As Senior leaders we need to take the opportunity to listen, not just at our level but across the whole business. This may be at times allowing a cross section of the entire workforce access to our Senior Leadership and to be part of the conversation / problem solving. This is called Next Gen advisory functions, and provides not only a platform for all levels of the business to provide insight and communication on the problems that our workforce deal with, but also an opportunity to provide solutions driven form the workforce that can be provided direct to the senior leadership. Additionally this provides a demonstrated listening form the senior leaders and a positive culture interaction across the workforce levels
6) Your role at Gamuda integrates health, safety, quality, and wellness under one umbrella. Why does this holistic approach matter for delivering major infrastructure – and what difference does it make on site
By taking a holistic view across a range of disciplines provides the opportunity for integration and implementation of ideas and initiative that can impact several areas at the same times whilst driving individual area outcomes.
Tune in for fresh perspectives, practical advice and a closer look at the people shaping the future of our built environment!