Protecting the hands that built 'Australia's own car'

General Motors Holden (GMH) frequently asserted that workplace safety was the company’s foremost priority. Yet, in its factories major accidents did occur, and many workers were also exposed to the risk of hearing loss and repetitive strain and posture-related injuries.

Drawing upon oral history interviews with almost 100 former employees who worked at GMH factories between 1945 and 2017, this presentation examines the evolution of GMH’s approach to occupational health and safety, and its workers’ memories of safety culture and the injuries they sustained or witnessed occurring whilst at work.