14 Oct 2025
At GreenInc Landscape Construction, safety is more than a priority; it is part of who we are. Every project begins with people, and keeping those people safe is imperative. This National Safe Work Month, we are proud to spotlight our Workplace Health and Safety (WH&S) Advisor, Anthony Exton, whose guidance and passion are helping to shape a strong safety culture across every project and work site. Anthony also guides the WH&S practices of APG, Bedford’s commercial garden maintenance business we grew from in 2023.
A Day in the Life of a WH&S Advisor
Anthony’s role is a balance of planning, collaboration, and on-site engagement. No two days are the same.
“A typical day can involve visiting job sites to check on conditions, reviewing safe work method statements, meeting with project managers, and talking with our crews about any hazards they have noticed,” Anthony explains. “Sometimes I’m updating procedures, other times I’m running training or investigating an incident to understand what we can learn from it. The key is to always be visible and available to our people.”
Inspired by Experience
Anthony’s path into workplace health and safety began with hands-on experience.
I started out working as a horticulturist, so I understand what it’s like to undertake the tasks and what it requires to work outdoors in all weather conditions. Early in my career, I saw firsthand how effective safety practices protect not only individuals but entire teams. That’s what inspired me to move into WH&S to help make sure everyone goes home safely at the end of the day to what they love.
The Human Side of Safety
What might surprise people most about Anthony’s role is how people-focused it really is.
“Many assume safety is all about paperwork and compliance, but so much of it is about communication and trust,” Anthony shares. “You need to understand how people think, what pressures they’re under, and how to connect with them. Once you build that trust, you can collaborate with individuals and teams to build a safety culture where everyone owns and values a safe work environment.”
Building a Strong Safety Culture
For Anthony, a strong safety culture is one where every person takes responsibility.
“When people understand that safety belongs to all, not just management, that is when you see real change,” he explains. “A strong safety culture builds confidence, reduces risk, and helps people look out for themselves one another. It also boosts morale and productivity because it shows the company genuinely cares about its people.”
Creating Safer Work Environments
Anthony helps create safer environments through open communication and proactive thinking.
I spend a lot of time talking with our crews. The best way to engage people is to get out and talk with them, understand how they work, and involve them in finding solutions. Our field staff solve problems all day in their normal duties, so it stands to reason that they’re the best people to help solve WH&S challenges in their environment.
Encouraging Reporting and Continuous Learning
Anthony believes that every close call near miss incident is an opportunity to prevent the next incident.
“When I talk to teams about reporting near misses or hazards, I focus on the why behind reporting, it matters,” he says. “It’s about prevention, not blame. If you ever think, ‘Geez, that was close,’ that’s your cue to report it because that information could stop someone else from getting hurt.”
Keeping an Eye on the Future
Anthony is also excited about new technologies that are shaping the future of workplace safety.
“We are seeing more use of digital tools to report hazards, track training, and monitor equipment. Technology is helping us collect data faster and spot trends early. It allows proactive and strategic WH&S improvement planning.”
The Most Important Safety Tip
Anthony’s number one piece of advice is simple.
“You are the most important person when it comes to your own safety. Look after yourself, look after your work mates and go home to what you love.”
The Reward
For Anthony, the most rewarding part of the job is knowing he’s making a difference.
“When someone tells me that a change we made has made their work safer and more efficient, that’s what keeps me going. It’s a great feeling to know you are part of a team that truly values safety.”
A Message for National Safe Work Month
As we recognise National Safe Work Month, Anthony encourages everyone to take a moment to reflect.
“Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Take the time to think about the risks in your work and what you can do to reduce them. We all have a part to play in making sure every day ends safely.”
At GreenInc Landscape Construction, we are proud of the work Anthony and our teams are doing to build safer, smarter, and stronger workplaces. Because when it comes to safety, leadership is not about words. It’s about actions, teamwork, and commitment every single day.