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Small Companies
with High
Risks

CSG September 2022 speaker: Ben Thomson: Small Companies with High Risks

When a company is small and risks are high

Presentation by: Ben Thomson, Safety Manager, Flight Academy Australia (FAA)

Presentation package now available (members only)

Aviation demands particularly sound safety management systems and behaviours. Ben Thomson, Safety Manager for Flight Academy Australia (FAA), a light aircraft pilot training business, faces special challenges with instructors and students from a wide range of backgrounds.

In a zoom talk to Central Safety Group on 13 September, Ben discussed his approach and actions that could be applied equally to other small companies wanting to refresh and strengthen their safety management systems.

Ben found it was important to customise and go beyond the safety templates provided by CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority), thereby creating safety management systems with performance indicators and responses tailored to his workplace. “We’ve changed the way we look at safety – we’re now more action-oriented and proactive,” he explained. “For example, teaching people to report incidents that they’d otherwise regard as routine. This is giving me useful data to measure what’s working.”

He also spoke about a range of OHS issues that can be problematic for small businesses, including the loss of ‘safety corporate memory’ when people leave.

The presenter:

Ben Thomson has been an aviation safety manager for the last four years and a flight instructor since 2015. He holds a Commercial Pilot License, Multi-engine Aeroplane Rating, Instrument Rating and Flight Instructor Rating, with training approvals for airline cadet training. He has trained a wide variety of students from basic flight sequences to airline cadet training in multi-engine aircraft. His role includes developing company safety policy and objectives, developing and monitoring safety performance objectives, managing aviation fatigue management and safety management systems, and investigating incidents. He is also involved in the writing of aviation operations manuals and flight training syllabi. Prior to becoming a pilot, Ben worked as a public servant, including as a data analyst for the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and in the Planning Decisions Unit for the Greater London Authority.

 
 

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Opal
Specialty
Packaging

CSG August 2025 event - Site Visit - Opal Specialty Packaging


Site Visit - Opal Specialty Packaging

Host: Gavin Kenny, Opal Specialty Packaging
Location: 100 Carroll Road, Oakleigh South, Vic


How: In person only

Date: Tuesday 19 August 2025, noon
Non-Members welcome to attend

Site Visit - Opal Specialty Packaging
Opal Specialty Packaging provides tailored cardboard-based packaging solutions for small, medium and large businesses. Their fully integrated packaging development service is based on circular economy principles.
Join CSG for a tour of their Oakleigh South production facility on Tuesday 19th August and see Opal’s advanced manufacturing capabilities. Learn how they deal with hazards such as mobile plant, traffic management, noise and machine guarding.
We will also hear about recent safety programs related to video SOPs and streamlining the on-boarding of casuals.
Opal’s sustainable corrugated cardboard packaging solutions cover every application you can think of, from smartly designed bespoke boxes and vibrant digital print to high-end corrugated cardboard point-of-purchase displays for retailers.

Important: Attendees must wear long sleeves, pants and flat closed-toe shoes.
Please bring Hi-vis vest, hearing protection and safety glasses (can also be supplied if necessary).

Date: Tuesday 19 August 2025
Time: 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Where: 100 Carroll Road, Oakleigh South, Vic
How: In person only
Cost: Financial members* free. Others $15
RSVP: COB Friday 15 August 2025. Online using our RSVP form
Join: Join CSG now [Individual membership fee: $85.]
*If unsure of your membership status, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   RSVP: by Friday 15 August.
Online using our RSVP form or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone the secretary T: (03) 9387 9768 Mobile 0417 040 252
The Zoom event link will be emailed on the afternoon of Monday 18 August 2025.

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