The Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) recognises individuals whose service has made a lasting contribution to the community. For Patrizia Cassaniti OAM, this honour reflects decades of advocacy for safer workplaces, stronger accountability, and the protection of human life.
Patrizia’s work in workplace health and safety is deeply personal. Following the tragic and preventable death of her son, Christopher, she transformed unimaginable loss into a lifelong commitment to ensuring no family experiences the same heartbreak. Through tireless advocacy, education, and leadership, Patrizia has become one of Australia’s most respected voices in workplace safety, challenging complacency, amplifying worker voices, and reminding industry that safety is, at its core, about people.
As a WHS Show Ambassador, Champions of Safety judge, founder of Touched by Christopher Foundation, and leader of Let’s Talk About Safety, Patrizia continues to influence policy, culture, and conversation across the country. Her OAM is not only recognition of her service, but a powerful reminder of why this work matters.
We sat down with Patrizia to reflect on her journey, the meaning of this recognition, and her vision for the future of workplace safety.
This medal is not an ending, it is encouragement to continue advocating for safer workplaces across Australia. I dedicate it to my son Christopher and to every worker who never made it home.
Receiving an OAM is a significant milestone. What did that recognition mean to you, both personally and professionally?
It is an absolute honour to accept the Order of Australia Medal for my work in workplace health and safety. This recognition is very meaningful.
While I am deeply grateful, the work I do has never been about acknowledgement or awards. It is, and always will be, about honouring my beautiful son, Christopher. This medal strengthens my resolve. It is not an ending, it is encouragement to continue advocating for safer workplaces across Australia, educating and supporting families so meaningful change continues.
I dedicate this medal to my son Christopher and to every worker who never made it home. Their lives matter, and they must never be forgotten.
Your career has been closely tied to improving workplace safety. What first drew you into this field, and what has sustained your commitment over time?
Christopher was 18 years old. He went to work just four days after his birthday and never came home. His death was tragic and entirely preventable. Losing a child in those circumstances changes you forever. From that loss came a determination to ensure his life and legacy protect others. This was not something I chose to do, but no worker should ever die simply by going to work.
Workplace safety is not optional. Complacency has devastating consequences. Every worker deserves the right to speak up and the certainty of returning home safely to their family. Through my lived experience, I hope to shift complacent mindsets and give workers the courage to always speak up.
Workplace safety often extends beyond the workplace itself. How do you see strong WHS practices contributing to healthier, safer communities?
My husband Rob and I have dedicated ourselves to raising awareness about workplace safety and the real impact unsafe practices have on families.
We work to ensure these stories are heard and that change happens, not just in policy, but in everyday workplace decisions. When a ‘she’ll be right’ mindset takes hold, it doesn’t just affect the workplace, it affects families, homes, and communities. Your life matters. If something doesn’t feel safe, we must speak up. No job is worth a life.
As a WHS Ambassador and Champions of Safety judge, why is it important to you to champion others and elevate their work?
I see championing others as both a responsibility and an opportunity to strengthen our entire safety ecosystem.
Many safety leaders are deeply committed and highly knowledgeable, yet too often they are not truly heard. When safety voices are sidelined, the human factor is lost, and it is people, not policies alone, who determine whether work is done safely. Productivity and safety are not competing priorities. By recognising and elevating others, we reinforce shared responsibility, respect, and meaningful communication. This is what drives sustainable productivity and lasting cultural change.
Looking back, what progress or changes in workplace health and safety are you most proud to have been part of?
The progress I am most committed to is change that gives workers a voice and ensures genuine accountability when lives are lost. One of my earliest contributions was working with SafeWork NSW on the introduction of the Speak Up app, allowing workers to raise safety concerns anonymously. It addressed fear of speaking out and strengthened trust in the system.
More recently, my advocacy has focused on the introduction of industrial manslaughter laws in NSW. After Christopher’s death, I was told there was no law to hold anyone accountable. That moment exposed a profound failure in our system. This work has never been about retribution, it is about responsibility, deterrence, and meaningful consequences.
Every step has been about ensuring my son did not die in vain.
What advice would you give to today’s safety professionals and leaders trying to drive long-term change?
Safety must always come before productivity or profit. Every decision carries real human consequences. Policies matter, but culture is shaped by leadership. Walk with your workers. Listen to them. They are experts at what they do and manage real risks every day.
When people feel respected, heard, and valued, they become the strongest drivers of safety. Engagement builds trust. Trust builds accountability. Accountability builds safer workplaces.
Looking ahead, how do you see the future of workplace safety evolving?
The future of safety will continue to evolve with technology, and that’s important. Digital tools will help monitor risk, improve reporting, and strengthen compliance. But we must never lose sight of the human factor. Technology cannot always detect fatigue, mental health struggles, pressure, or vulnerability. Tragedy often occurs not because systems fail, but because of a human decision made in a moment of complacency or stress.
My hope is that my work continues to keep the reality of loss front of mind. Safety is not just data or dashboards, it’s people, emotions, and lived experiences. Let us embrace progress, but never forget the human impact behind every decision.
A Legacy That Continues to Save Lives
Mrs Patrizia Cassaniti OAM’s recognition is a powerful reminder that workplace safety is not just a professional responsibility, it is a moral one. Her advocacy has helped shape legislation, empower workers, and keep the human cost of unsafe work at the centre of industry conversations.
We are honoured to recognise Patrizia as a WHS Ambassador, Champions of Safety judge, and now, a recipient of the Order of Australia Medal.
Her work continues and so does her legacy.
