Overview

Gitani Stone is a family-owned business that has been crafting and supplying high-quality stone products since 1974. With two quarries and a factory based in Seven Hills, the business employs around 20 staff and operates across North Queensland and Southern New South Wales. Their operations span rock extraction and specialist stone masonry, combining the strength of natural materials with refined craftsmanship.

As the business expanded into quarry operations, Gitani recognised the need to overhaul its approach to workplace health and safety. Operating in a highly regulated industry with elevated risks, the team needed to build confidence, clarity, and compliance into every layer of their operations.

The Challenge

With two new greenfield quarries coming online, Gitani was effectively starting from scratch in terms of WHS systems and compliance for mining operations. While their team had solid experience in managing factory-based risks, the expectations for quarry safety were significantly different.

The challenge was twofold. First, Gitani needed to upskill key personnel in mining-specific safety practices. Second, they needed a practical plan to develop their site safety systems from the ground up. Without this foundation, the quarries could not operate safely or legally. The team knew what they wanted to achieve, but needed expert support to define the steps, demystify the regulations, and build momentum.

The Anzen Approach

Gitani initially contacted Anzen Safety & Training to request WHS training for their team. After an initial phone conversation to explore their needs, it was clear that the best starting point would be an education-based approach for their leaders.

Anzen delivered a three-day, face-to-face training and planning session. The cornerstone of the training was the nationally recognised Site Safety Supervisor course, designed specifically for mining and quarry operations. In addition, Anzen facilitated a tailored planning workshop to help Gitani identify key WHS requirements and develop the early structure of their safety management system.

The training introduced Gitani’s leadership team to essential compliance principles, as well as practical tools they could begin using straight away. Key safety concepts such as Anzen’s Leading for Safety approach were also introduced, giving the business a framework for long-term cultural development.

The Outcome

Following the training, Gitani’s leadership team had a much clearer understanding of what was required from a WHS standpoint and how to move forward. While formal systems are still under development, key personnel are now equipped with the skills, knowledge and mindset to lead safety effectively on site.

The team walked away from the session with more than just paperwork, they gained a structured approach, practical insights, and the confidence to tackle what had previously felt too complex to manage.

Feedback from the team was overwhelmingly positive, with one participant describing it as:

"First class - exceeded all my expectations, made good clear common sense of so much that seemed too big to start to deal with."

Why It Matters

This case shows how even complex safety challenges, like launching new quarry operations, can be made manageable with the right support. By partnering with Anzen, Gitani was able to break down a major compliance hurdle into clear, achievable steps.

For other businesses expanding into high-risk or highly regulated environments, this story highlights the value of early training, leadership development and structured planning. Anzen’s practical and straightforward approach helps teams gain clarity, act with confidence, and move forward where progress once felt out of reach.