AN INTERVIEW
WITH RYAN HODDER
As the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Ryan Hodder has been at the helm of Incident Zero since the beginning of 2022. Under his pioneering leadership, the company has enjoyed sharp growth in a very short time, and our unique Safety Halo system has become the industry standard globally for mobile plant safety. Find out more about Ryan and his vision for the business in this ten-minute interview.
Tell us about the beginnings of Incident Zero and Safety Halo, your signature product.
Oh, the story behind Incident Zero and the Safety Halo™ is quite something! It all started with a chance meeting between an Australian truck driver who had an idea and a brilliant laser engineer from the US who knew exactly how to design it. Can you believe it? They connected through a speculative email and instantly clicked over their shared commitment to innovating safety solutions. From that unexpected beginning, their partnership blossomed into something truly extraordinary as they co-developed the Safety Halo system.
The Safety Halo is truly remarkable, a world first design that has never been conceived until now. Picture this: it utilises advanced technology with low-powered red laser light to establish a protective zone around machinery operating in environments where there are a lot of heavy machinery. Developed over an intensive seven-year period of research and development, this system has set new benchmarks for safety standards in the industry. There is nothing close to what this system can do.
What makes the Safety Halo stand out goes beyond its technological prowess is the deep understanding of human-eye biophysics and meticulous laser engineering that underpin its design. Built to withstand the rugged conditions of mining and construction sites, it remains resilient, bright, and capable of projecting a clear and extensive exclusion zone. Moreover, it maintains an impeccable safety classification, ensuring compliance with global safety standards.
However, what truly distinguishes the Safety Halo is its intuitive design. The vivid red zone that the Safety Halo creates communicates danger universally, transcending language barriers and educational levels. This intuitive signalling prompts an innate response in individuals, compelling them to instinctively steer clear of potential hazards. It’s arguably the most effective mobile plant exclusion zone available today, precisely because it doesn’t rely on constant driver input and puts the responsibility on those around the machine to ensure they are keeping the area clear and safe.
As an autonomous guardian, the Safety Halo operates independently, functioning as a proactive safety measure. It effectively minimises the risk of accidents during human-machine interactions, making hazardous scenarios a thing of the past. With its innovative approach and robust capabilities, the Safety Halo exemplifies how technology can revolutionise workplace safety, ensuring that workers remain protected in dynamic and demanding environments.
What does a typical work day look like?
I love coming to work every day because it’s never the same old routine. Every day is a new adventure filled with learning opportunities. I get to dive into different industries, tackle fresh challenges, and above all, I’m fuelled by the knowledge that our company is making workplaces safer. Working with brilliant minds on my team is a constant inspiration. They’re all way smarter than me and bring skills I couldn’t even dream of. That means I’m learning something new every single day, and I absolutely love that about my job.
My work days are anything but typical. One day, I might be suited up in a boardroom, discussing strategies with executives from multinational corporations. Next, I could be rocking high-vis gear and steel-capped boots, knee-deep in problem solving at a waste facility, figuring out how to enhance safety protocols. Then there are days I find myself in airport lounges, hopping from one location to another, or on a mine site in Chile, delving deep into the specific safety challenges they face. It’s this diversity that keeps things exciting and pushes me to think innovatively in every situation.
The variety in my job isn’t just stimulating, it’s also incredibly fulfilling. Every project, every interaction, and every challenge we overcome feels like we’re contributing positively to people’s lives. There’s no greater motivation than knowing our efforts are making a tangible difference in workplace safety worldwide.
What excites you the most about your Safety Halo product?
What excites me most about the Safety Halo is its simplicity and universal effectiveness. It goes beyond language and education barriers by triggering an instinctive psychological response that converts to a physical action in people to step away from danger zones. The team behind it are incredibly skilled; they drew insights from theories like the Peltzman Effect, risk compensation, and acute stress response to ensure that Safety Halo promotes safer behaviour choices in the long term. It’s disheartening to see some technologies actually increasing risky behaviour by giving a false sense of security. The Safety Halo, on the other hand, is designed to highlight danger in a way that encourages people to avoid it, relying on their instincts rather than solely on technology for safety.
What are some of the highlights of working in your industry?
Working in our industry is like diving into a whirlwind of diversity—it spans across almost every sector imaginable! One moment, we’re navigating through food processing or manufacturing plants; the next, we’re knee-deep in waste management facilities, airports, underground tunnel constructions, shipping terminals, or extremely remote mine sites above and below ground. What’s truly thrilling are the people we meet along the way and the varied challenges we get to tackle. Ensuring workplace safety is at the heart of everything we do, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see how our safety implementations not only eliminate old, redundant techniques but also boost productivity. It’s a real win-win situation where safety and economic efficiency go hand in hand. But what excites me the most is pioneering technology that isn’t just another gadget—it’s strategically designed to save lives. That’s the real game-changer.
Any challenges?
You know, one of the toughest parts of our industry is a reality that hit me hard at a trade show once. There was this fellow at our booth, staring at our Safety Halo display. He seemed really absorbed, constantly putting his phone in and out of the laser beam. I gave him some space, but eventually, I asked if he needed help. He broke down in tears and told me he’d lost his best friend in a forklift accident. It was heart-wrenching to hear that his friend’s dad accidentally crushed him with a load because he wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings whilst on his phone and he was too close to the forklift when the load fell off the tynes and crushed him. The guy believed that if they’d had our Safety Halo installed, his friend might have seen the laser line pass over his phone and avoided the accident. That story really drives home the impact our technology could have had. It’s devastating to think we could have prevented such a tragedy with a simple safety measure.
Another challenge I face is when customers enquire about our system but decide not to proceed or they delay implementation. It’s tough because, later on, they often come back, urgently needing it after a serious incident or fatality. These situations could have been avoided if they had installed the Safety Halo when they first considered it. It’s frustrating knowing that proactive safety measures could prevent so much heartache and loss if only they were implemented sooner.
The challenge is that there is a current and active solution to avoid these devastating life-changing incidents, and people still choose not to implement them.
Where do you see Incident Zero in five or ten years’ time? In your opinion, where is the industry headed?
Looking ahead five to ten years, I’m incredibly optimistic about Incident Zero’s trajectory. We’ve got big growth plans on the horizon, with a strong focus on expanding internationally and an exciting road map of new product development. It’s not just about business growth for us; it’s about saving lives that are currently being lost in preventable accidents. At Incident Zero, every life matters, and we’re driven to see global workplace incidents reduced to zero.
In the next five years, you’ll see our Safety Halo systems implemented across a wide range of industries, and that’s what excites me the most—knowing we’re making a real impact on workplace safety, in so many places. Our international expansion will see us partner with a variety of distributors in specific industries across a range of countries and continents.
As for the industry itself, I think there’s a bit of a misconception in how safety is approached, especially in human-machine interactions. We’ve seen some safety measures work brilliantly, like the yellow line on train platforms, while others, like ABS brakes in cars, have had unintended consequences where drivers take more risks assuming technology will keep them safe.
To truly make a difference, we need to understand what motivates humans to prioritise safety. If we can focus on those factors, we have the potential to almost completely eliminate workplace tragedies. It’s about finding solutions that empower individuals to make safer choices every day.
And lastly, what are some things you enjoy doing the most when you have time off?
After spending two decades in corporate marketing and sales, I’ve really learned the value of taking time off. It’s not just about recharging for work—it’s about deepening the relationships with my wife, our four boys, and our wider circle of friends and family. They’re my first priority. I’ve heard enough stories about CEOs who, on their deathbed, wish they had spent more time with the ones they love, so I don’t want to be regretful in that respect and learn from others. I get so much joy out of being at home with my family and spending quality time with my boys. It’s incredibly rewarding to guide them through life’s challenges and watch them grow into young men. Sports are a big part of our family time too; we’re really into watching NRL and soccer together, whether we’re cheering from the sidelines or watching games on TV.
When I’m not with my family, you’ll probably find me outdoors. I love mountain biking, kayaking, fishing, and camping. There’s something about being in nature with no distractions—it’s the best way to clear my mind and recharge, but also to connect with those you’re with. I’m also into DIY projects and enjoy getting my boys involved in building things together. And speaking of teamwork, my wife and I love to cook together. Opening a bottle of red and experimenting in the kitchen is our idea of a good time—we always have fun creating new dishes and catching up on life.
Lastly, I find a lot of fulfilment in serving our local church community. The relationships I’ve built there are incredibly special, and it’s a wonderful feeling to be part of such a supportive community.