SHAPE’s innovative approach to safety has earned industry recognition, winning the Safety Innovation Award at the Master Builders Association (MBA) NSW 2025 Excellence in Construction Awards on 18 October 2025 at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Sydney. Celebrated during National Safe Work Month, the award recognises SHAPE’s proactive approach to safety, reflecting its strong safety culture and commitment to driving innovation and industry-wide improvements in safe work practices.
Safety has always been a part of SHAPE’s DNA, and the Sydney team’s Telstra Fitout at 400 George Street was a shining example of how SHAPE is setting the standard for quality and safety in the construction industry. The workplace transformation consolidated five floors of office space from levels 3 to 7 within an occupied building. A key engineering solution on the project involved safely cutting and removing a concrete slab for a new internal staircase on level 4, where the level 3 slab could not support the weight of scaffolding and cut concrete. Propping level 3 from below was not feasible due to an immovable circular audio/visual screen and ongoing pedestrian traffic from tenants.
To overcome these challenges, SHAPE and scaffolding contractor Above Scaffolding consulted multiple specialists and engineers to design a self-supporting suspended catch deck. The working platform, measuring approximately 9 by 8.5 meters, was suspended from a supporting flexbeam framework using chains and wire rope. A suspended formwork catch deck was then attached to the underside of the level 4 slab, allowing the concrete to be cut safely from above and the 250kg blocks to be removed using a gantry crane.
This innovative solution required detailed planning, engineering sign-offs and careful coordination between all parties, ensuring the works were completed safely within a live building environment.
“From concept to completion, we knew we were creating something truly unprecedented. The project presented numerous challenges, but through a highly specialised design, we developed a system that was not only innovative and safe but also enabled SHAPE to carry out heavy construction above a fully operational, live environment” said Harrison Wiche, Construction Manager at SHAPE.
James Fitzgerald, General Manager at SHAPE – NSW, said receiving the MBA Safety Innovation Award during Safe Work Month made the recognition even more meaningful. “At SHAPE, safety is never an afterthought, it’s at the heart of everything we do. Our teams and partners take pride in designing solutions that put people first, and this award recognises the culture of innovation, planning and collaboration that drives every project,” he said.
This MBA win reinforces SHAPE’s position as an industry leader in construction safety and a proud contributor to raising safety standards across the sector.
