In just 3 years, Schlam’s manufacturing operations has grown rapidly going from 2 WA based facilities to 5 across 3 continents. The immense growth has more than tripled production capacity but has also introduce complexity when it comes to safety. With different, cultures, regulatory frameworks and operating environments the approach to safety requires a growth and innovative mindset.
Tim Martin, Schlam’s Executive General Manager – Health, Safety, Environment & Lean, joined the business at the outset of this expansion. Since then, he has helped guide the evolution of Schlam Safe, Schlam’s safety management system, as it has been deployed across new regions, while maintaining a consistent, non-negotiable standard: everyone goes home.
Rather than treating growth as a risk to be managed, Schlam treated it as a learning opportunity. As new challenges emerged, systems were reviewed, adapted and strengthened. The outcome has not only been safer global operations, but a more resilient, scalable approach to safety across the entire organisation. Tim recently shared his approach to global safety, discussing 4 key areas.
KEEPING IT VISUAL: overcoming language barriers
As Schlam expanded internationally, it became clear that traditional, text-heavy safety documentation was not sufficient. In multilingual manufacturing environments, clarity cannot rely solely on written language, visual elements were a core component of clear communication.
The use of symbols, colour coding and process visuals, became a critical part of how safety information is shared. These tools allow risks, controls and expectations to be understood quickly and consistently on the workshop floor, reducing ambiguity and supporting safer decision-making regardless of language or location. This was also extended to the use of multilingual banners displayed in every workshop.
Be Specific: Detailed Documentation Enables Safer Work
Global operations demand precision. In heavy manufacturing, unclear instructions or assumed knowledge increase risk.
In response, Schlam strengthened the level of detail within its safety documentation, work instructions and procedures. Tasks are clearly defined, controls are explicit, and expectations are unambiguous. This ensures that new starters, experienced operators and transferred employees all work from the same reference point, supporting consistency, compliance and safer outcomes across sites.
Context Matters: Safety Is Shaped by Culture, Legislation and Local Expectations
No two manufacturing sites operate in the same context. Each jurisdiction brings its own legislation, cultural norms and baseline expectations around workplace safety.
Schlam’s approach is to understand these local conditions in detail and adapt its systems accordingly, without lowering standards. While local compliance is essential, the Schlam standard of safety remains constant. Systems are tailored to manage site-specific risks while remaining aligned to a single guiding principle: everyone goes home.
Empowering leadership: Site Knowledge Strengthens Safety Performance
Local leaders, Workshop Managers, Shift Supervisors and alike, play a critical role in effective safety management. They understand their people, their operating environment and their risks better than anyone.
By partnering closely with site leadership, Schlam ensures that risks are identified early and controls are practical, relevant and owned at a local level. This approach strengthens accountability, supports continuous improvement and allows lessons learned in one location to be shared across the global network.
Conclusion
As Schlam continues to grow globally, safety remains central to how the business operates. By learning from local challenges, adapting systems to real-world conditions and empowering people at every level, Schlam Safe continues to evolve alongside the organisation. The result is a safety management system built to scale, supporting consistent, safe outcomes wherever Schlam operates. The outcome: everyone goes home.
Watch the full interview with Tim below.
