We sat down with Simone Witschge, General Manager of Mutual Benefits Program, to ask her about the new competition running this year, and the impact this could have on the health and safety industry.
1. Can you tell us about The Pitch Off – what is it, and how did the idea come about?
The Pitch Off is a bold new initiative, taking place live at the Workplace Health & Safety Show in Sydney. This event is designed to spotlight resilient, game-changing ideas that elevate workplace health, safety, and wellbeing. The idea for the Pitch Off was inspired by our strategic commitments to both innovation and injury prevention. Our hope it that this initiative will connect us with visionary thinkers and future partners. With $50,000 in support from the EML Group, our aim is to help turn transformative ideas into lasting impact – driving resilience, progress, and a safer tomorrow for workplaces.
2. What types of innovations or solutions are you hoping to uncover through this competition?
We’re seeking innovative, forward-thinking ideas with the power to transform workplace health, safety, and wellbeing. We’re open to all ideas, big or small, that challenge convention and unlock new ways to create more resilient workplaces. Whether it’s a product, tool, training solution, project, or research initiative – if it drives injury prevention or risk management and delivers meaningful value to EML Group customers and the broader community, we want to hear about it. The Pitch Off is our quest to discover and support the next wave of innovators shaping safer, healthier workplaces for all.
3. What criteria will you be using to judge the pitches? What does a “winning idea” look like to EML?
Entries will be assessed for their originality, impact, and scalability across diverse workplaces. The winning idea will be innovative, and aligned with risk management or injury prevention, with the potential to deliver real, lasting benefits to our customers and communities. This might take the forms of a breakthrough product, impactful training content, or a pioneering research initiative – we’re open to all possibilities that spark progress and inspire change.
Purpose & Alignment: 1. Why is EML choosing to launch and host The Pitch Off at the Workplace Health & Safety Show specifically?
We’re proud to launch The Pitch Off at the Workplace Health & Safety Show in Sydney, an event that brings together a passionate and diverse community of safety professionals, innovators, and changemakers. With over 6,000 attendees and 200 exhibitors, it offers a unique opportunity to share ideas in an environment that’s collaborative, energising, and deeply committed to improving workplace safety. It’s the kind of setting where resilient thinking and meaningful innovation can truly shine.
2. How does The Pitch Off align with EML’s broader mission around workplace injury prevention and support?
The Mutual Benefits Program exists to serve our members and EML customers, acting in their best interests and for their long-term benefit. The Pitch Off is a reflection of that purpose, strategically aligned with our commitment to injury prevention and risk management. We believe that resilient, innovative thinking is essential to driving meaningful change in workplace safety. By uncovering and supporting new ideas, we’re investing in solutions that can make a real difference for workers, employers, and the broader community.
3. What kind of impact are you hoping this initiative will have on the safety industry as a whole?
Through The Pitch Off, we’re giving bold ideas a platform, we’re opening the door to fresh, scalable solutions that tackle long-standing challenges in injury prevention. Our goal is to foster collaboration, spark progress, and drive meaningful outcomes for workers, employers, and communities – shaping a safer, healthier future together.
Supporting Innovation: 1. What role do startups, entrepreneurs, or new technologies play in shaping the future of workplace health and safety?
Startups and entrepreneurs bring fresh perspectives, agility, and resilient thinking – qualities essential for transforming workplace health and safety. Emerging technologies like AI, wearables, and data analytics offer smarter, more proactive ways to prevent injury and support recovery. By backing new innovations, we’re helping redefine what’s possible and future-proof the industry for safer, more supportive workplaces.
2. How does EML support innovation beyond The Pitch Off – are there any ongoing programs or partnerships?
Innovation is at the heart of the Mutual Benefits Program, and The Pitch Off is just one of the ways we bring it to life. In FY25, we committed over $5M to initiatives focused on Injury Prevention, or Research & Innovation. We partner with a range of service providers, researchers, associations and industry leaders who share our commitment to driving impactful change. We regularly engage with our partners to identify new opportunities to collaborate on solutions that address emerging trends and challenges, particularly in the area of workplace injuries and mental health.
For Participants & Audience: 1. What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying for The Pitch Off?
We’re looking for original ideas that dare to think differently and have the potential to create real impact in workplace health, safety, and recovery. Whether it’s a fresh perspective or a breakthrough solution, show us why your idea matters, how it challenges convention, addresses real-world needs, and helps build safer
2. What can attendees expect from the live competition on the show floor?
You can expect energy, innovation, and bold ideas. Three finalists will pitch live in five minutes, followed by a fast-paced two-minute Q&A with the judges and audience. It’s an interactive showcase designed to spark conversation and spotlight the future of workplace safety. The winner—decided by a combined 50/50 vote—will be announced live at the event’s conclusion.
Future Vision: 1. Is this a one-off initiative, or do you see The Pitch Off becoming an annual or ongoing program?
As the first initiative of its kind at the Workplace Health & Safety Show, The Pitch Off marks an exciting step forward in spotlighting forward-thinking ideas. With strong interest and shared commitment from participants and partners, we see real potential for it to grow into an ongoing initiative, one that uncovers emerging talent, fosters innovation, and drives meaningful change in workplace health and safety.
2. Where do you see the most exciting growth or change happening in workplace health and safety over the next few years?
I anticipate the next few years will reshape how we manage psychosocial risks, harness technology, and redefine safety roles. With growing awareness of mental health, more employers are integrating psychological wellbeing into their safety strategies. Advances in AI, wearables, and predictive analytics are enabling smarter, faster risk management, while safety roles are evolving to become more proactive and embedded in business strategy, driving long-term cultural change.
______________________________________________________________________ The Pitch Off is proudly funded by the Mutual Benefits Program. The Mutual Benefits Program is funded by Employers Mutual Ltd, proudly part of the EML Group (EML).
