Dr Stephen Young PhD, M.HealSci, PGDip, B.Com, GradNZISM

Background

Dr Steve Young is an acknowledged world authority on the ‘zero accident vision’ (ZAV) [also known as ‘zero harm’]. His publications on the ZAV have been internationally recognised as unique pragmatic case studies able to be applied across a wide range of workplace situations. Dr Young’s doctoral thesis examines the most effective methods of mitigating workplace health and safety (WHS) hazards. This series of studies demonstrated, for the first time, that rationally applying the safety hierarchy of controls to real-world workplaces is an effective and enduring protection against occupational injury and disease. This research has been presented at many health and safety conferences across Australia and around the world.

From 2013-2018 Dr Young led Australia’s most prominent post-graduate school of safety: VIOSH (Victorian Institute of Occupational Safety and Health). VIOSH has been educating and influencing Australia's and New Zealand’s leading corporations and organisations for 39 years. VIOSH’s reputation for pragmatism and excellence has guided many of Australia’s regulatory bodies, consultants, and organisations to excel in prevention of occupational injury. It has more than 800 graduates spread across Australia and beyond. He now works with Findex New Zealand Ltd: Findex is one of Australasia's leading consultancy companies.


Dr Young's approach to problem solving is both practical and research-based, and he has a relentless drive to reduce occupational injury. His earlier career as a producer of health and safety educational media enabled him to fully comprehend the realities of WHS initiatives across a broad range of New Zealand industries and companies. As a consultant, Dr Young uses successful evidence-based WHS principles to guide companies away from catastrophe and into fields of higher productivity. It is not unusual for his recommendations to not only prevent WHS injury or worse, but also to save money and enhance a company’s reputation. Dr Young has more than 35 years of experience in successfully mitigating workplace hazards across Australia and New Zealand.