Health and Safety Month 2025 presenter profiles

David Hua

Senior Dangerous Goods Analyst, Health & Safety, WorkSafe Victoria

David joined WorkSafe in February 2015 as a technical inspector and is currently employed as a senior DG analyst in the Chemical Safety Planning team. Prior to WorkSafe, David was employed as a projects lead at Orica Specialty Emulsifiers.

In his role at WorkSafe, David provides specialist technical support to internal and external stakeholders in matters relating to dangerous goods and major hazard facilities, with significant expertise and experience in legislation relating to major hazard facilities.

Marcelo Matamala

Senior Engineer (Structural), WorkSafe Victoria

With a background in civil and structural engineering, Marcelo has had various roles as a structural engineer consultant, designing single dwellings, high-rise residential through to commercial buildings. In 2023, Marcelo joined WorkSafe as a Senior Engineer (Structural) providing engineering knowledge and support relating to complex workplace interventions. Marcelo is a WorkSafe Victoria representative on several Australian Standards technical committees, including scaffold, precast concrete, temporary edge protection and trench shoring.

Bianca Ognenovski

Lead Claims, Recovery Support Services, Fire Rescue Victoria

Bianca is a registered physiotherapist who joined FRV in January 2023. Bianca has significant experience in Emergency Services, previously working at Victoria Police and supporting employee's in their recovery and return to work following an injury.

Bianca first commenced with FRV as a Mental Injury Return to Work Co-Ordinator and since transitioned to her current role of Lead Claims. In this role Bianca oversees many individual complex matters as well as FRV's claim lodgements, Conciliations and Common Law files.

Bianca is always investing a huge amount of time in the overall health and safety of individual employees, ensuring access to the support required to recover and return to work in a safe and sustainable manner.

Mick Puche

Health and Safety Representative, Glenelg Shire, Heywood Depot

Mick is the Occupational Health & Safety Representative for Glenelg Shire, Heywood Depot.

After a workplace injury early within his career in which his right index finger was amputated, Mick became passionate about ensuring safety within his working environment. He has worked hard to use his experience to uphold health & safety obligations in the workplace, and delivering safety solutions within his Designated Working Group.

Mick won the Health & Safety Represenative of the Year Award, at the WorSafe Awards 2024, which he states was a shock, and simultaneously a great honour.

Karen Phillips

Return to Work Specialist, WorkSafe Victoria

Karen is a RTW Specialist at WorkSafe Victoria with over 20 years’ experience in workers compensation in both Victoria and NSW. A nurse and Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP), she has an extensive history developing and leading return to work initiatives in government and at Agents.

Karen is passionate about ensuring injured people get better health and return to work support to achieve independent outcomes, with a person centred and strategic approach.

Dr Kim Quayle

Senior Manager - Chemical Safety Outreach & Land Use Planning

Kim is currently the ‘Senior Manager – Chemical Safety Outreach and Land Use Planning’ within the Major Hazards and Dangerous Goods Unit at WorkSafe Victoria. The unit strives to protect Victorian workers and communities from risks arising from dangerous goods. Kim’s role see’s the co-management of the Major Hazards Program, with a focus on external stakeholder engagement activities, land use planning and management of a team of technical specialists.

Kim has held previous roles in Land Use Planning, data analysis and technical management of dangerous goods facilities. Her education includes a Doctoral degree (analytical chemistry, luminescence, and microfluidics), a Masters degree by Research (analytical chemistry) and a Bachelors degree with Honours (forensic science - chemistry stream).

Amy Salmon

Principal Psychological Health and Safety Specialist, WorkSafe Victoria

Amy Salmon is an experienced registered psychologist and is the Principal Psychological Health and Safety Specialist at WorkSafe Victoria. Her team of Senior Psychological Health and Safety Specialists provide specialist advice internally and externally across WorkSafe, and are appointed inspectors under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (2004). Amy and her teams’ primary focus is on the prevention of psychological harm to employees in Victorian workplaces.

Amy has extensive experience working with organisations to identify risks to psychological health and safety, and to develop tailored solutions to address identified risks. She is passionate about creating psychologically healthy and safe workplaces.

Dr Rodi Sferopoulos

Principal Dangerous Goods Specialist, WorkSafe Victoria

Rodi joined WorkSafe in January 2019 and she is currently the Principal Dangerous Goods Specialist in the Dangerous Goods Specialist Unit. Prior to WorkSafe, Rodi was employed as a Corporate Hazardous Chemical Safety Advisor Defence Science and Technology (DST).

In her role at WorkSafe, Rodi provides specialist Dangerous Goods technical support to internal and external stakeholders, with significant expertise and experience in relation to the Dangerous Goods Storage and Handling Regulations (2022).

Emma Stephens

Director LPIS, WorkSafe Victoria

Emma Stephens is the Director of the Legislation, Policy and information Services division within WorkSafe. Her team manages the development of the regulations, compliance codes and supporting communications. Emma is passionate about reducing workplace harm.

James Webster

Senior Construction Advisor, WorkSafe Victoria

Prior to joining WorkSafe in April 2018, James worked as an A-Grade electrician in the construction industry. In his time at WorkSafe, James has enjoyed a variety of roles, including Senior Inspector. As the Senior Construction Advisor, he enjoys developing guidance, providing advice, and getting out on-site. James also holds a Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion, which has helped him in developing projects to address issues within the construction industry.