Most incidents don’t begin with a system failure, they begin with what’s said, misunderstood or unsaid in the moment. This session reveals how everyday language directly shapes attention, decisions, and whether people speak up and provides you practical ways to shift conversations for immediate safety impact.
• Why common phrases like “be careful” fail – and what to say instead
• How language drives attention, decision-making, and whether people speak up
• Three powerful shifts: Vague to Specific, Blame to Curiosity, and Pressure to Prevention
• Practical tools you can use tomorrow to reduce risk through better conversations
• Strong safety culture enables clear, confident communication and encourages people to speak up early to prevent harm
If you want to move beyond compliance and posters and instead influence what your people actually notice, say, and do in high-risk moments, this session will give you the language to lead safer outcomes in real time.
Rebekah joined the EMA in March 2025 as the health and safety expert on the AdviceLine and is ready to answer your questions. She has a wealth of knowledge in health and safety and can advise on the most suitable training for your team and connect you to the appropriate consultant to use for health and safety projects in your business.
Rebekah is passionate about keeping workers safe and believes that the best outcomes are achieved when managers and workers are collaborating for continuous improvement.
She holds a Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety Management Level 6 and has over 9 years of experience in health and safety roles across various industries, including healthcare, social assistance, food storage and distribution, manufacturing, and construction. This gives her unique insights into the challenges NZ organisations face when interpreting and implementing health and safety strategies.