Kate Cole

Kate is an engineer and scientist working with major stakeholders such as Tier 1 contractors and client organisations to prevent illness and disease in the thousands of workers across construction, tunnelling and demolition. Her key focus is on the control of respirable crystalline silica and the prevention of silicosis informed through the completion of a Master’s degree in Occupational Hygiene and her 2016 Churchill Fellowship. Kate has a Master of Environmental Engineering Management and a Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) from the University of Technology, Sydney, a Master of Science majoring in Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene from the University of Wollongong, and she is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Kate's work on industry collaboration across the tunnelling sector has been recognised at both a state level by SafeWork NSW and internationally through the International Tunnelling Association. By creating streamlined processes that help business protect their workers, her work has positively impacted industry through increasing the focus on “health” in “health and safety”. It has also highlighted the need for targeted intervention in the infrastructure sector more broadly, and has resulted in the improved control of silica dust across the construction, tunnelling, and demolition workforce.

Kate works as an independent consultant for Cole Health supporting major projects such as Sydney Metro in the role of Director Health & Safety Strategy and Program. She is a Certified Occupational Hygienist and immediate past president of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH) and is regularly called upon as an expert witness as COH due to her knowledge and experience in protecting workers from illnesses and diseases such as silicosis. She is among the Australian Financial Review's Top 100 Women of Influence and a Superstar of STEM.

Kate is a passionate advocate for protecting the health and safety of workers and has been supporting the COVID-19 pandemic in a voluntary capacity through providing specialist expertise on ventilation, respiratory protection, and health and safety more broadly.

For her service to workplace health and safety, Kate was awarded a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia and included in the COVID-19 Honour Roll in 2022 Australia Day Honours.