With nearly three decades in HSSE roles, Adrian has helped shape safety practices across bp’s energy operations in Australia and New Zealand. Ahead of his session at the Workplace Health & Safety Show Sydney, we sat down with Adrian to discuss the biggest challenges for contractor safety in 2025, the impact of Human and Organisational Performance (HOP) principles, and what he hopes attendees will take away from his presentation.
Thirty Years of Lessons in Safety Leadership
Adrian’s journey into safety leadership began in Tasmania, where he studied science before moving to Perth to join bp. Over three decades, he has worked across maintenance, construction, and operations, representing bp on the Work Place Clearance Group (WPCG) Technical Committee and chairing the Downstream Oil & Gas Industry Construction Safety Forum.
Beyond his professional achievements, Adrian is a cancer survivor and ambassador for the DT38 Foundation for Testicular Cancer awareness. He is a lifelong football fan who once served as President of the Australian Table Football (Subbuteo) Association, representing Asia on the global federation and organising international events.
Today, his focus at bp is on control of work and contractor management systems, driven by the principles of HOP: learning from everyday work, building psychological safety, and fostering trust through genuine care.
The Biggest Challenges in Contractor Management
Looking to 2025, Adrian sees complexity and diversity in contractor workforces as one of the toughest challenges. With bp and the broader energy sector transitioning into new energy projects and digital operations, ensuring consistent safety standards while respecting different work contexts is vital.
Another pressing issue is psychological safety in high-risk environments. Adrian highlights the need to engage frontline workers directly – listening to their challenges, learning from their experiences, and addressing the risks of “normalisation” that can arise in repetitive work across bp’s vast retail network.
To close this gap between “work as imagined” and “work as done,” Adrian advocates investing in field conversations, data insights, and programs grounded in HOP and humble enquiry – ensuring that systems are both practical and responsive to reality on the ground.
How HOP Principles Make a Difference
For Adrian, HOP is more than a theory – it’s a practical way of working with contractors as partners, not just service providers. “By recognising that error is normal and that context drives behaviour, we’re fostering environments where contractors feel empowered to speak up and share concerns,” he explains.
This approach not only strengthens trust but also ensures that contractor safety is built on collaboration and mutual benefit, rather than compliance alone.
What to Expect at the Workplace Health & Safety Show
At the Sydney show, Adrian will share real-world examples of how HOP can elevate contractor safety and provide attendees with actionable strategies they can take back to their own organisations. “I hope people walk away with a renewed appreciation for listening to their contractors, designing systems that support real work, and creating cultures where people feel safe to speak up,” he says. “You don’t need to wait for a big strategic agenda to start change – the ripple effect begins with your own actions.”
The Future of HOP and Contractor Safety
Looking ahead, Adrian believes HOP principles will become deeply integrated into the entire contractor management lifecycle – from procurement to on-site interactions.
Digital tools and AI offer new opportunities to analyse frontline insights and enhance visibility and responsiveness. But, Adrian cautions, the industry must ensure that technology augments human connection rather than replaces it. “Ultimately, the future lies in building trust-based partnerships where safety is a shared value, not just a requirement enforced on contractors,” he says. “By embracing HOP and the four pillars of contractor safety, we can create environments where contractors thrive – and safety becomes a natural outcome of good work.”
Don’t Miss Adrian’s Session
Adrian Connolly brings decades of experience, a human-centred approach to safety, and a passion for creating meaningful change in contractor management. His session at the Workplace Health & Safety Show Sydney promises to deliver practical insights, inspiring stories, and clear takeaways for safety leaders, contractors, and anyone committed to building safer workplaces.
Don’t miss the chance to hear Adrian and other industry leaders share their expertise at Sydney Showground, 22-23 October 2025.
Find out more about Adrian and what his session will be addressing here.
Don’t forget to register for your free ticket here.
