The 2025 Fleet Safety Award was proudly presented to Sodexo’s Scott Leahy, Mass Transport Manager for the Australia Pacific region, in recognition of the company’s outstanding commitment to safety and innovation in managing large-scale vehicle operations.
Sodexo, a global facilities and services management provider, safely transported over 4 million passengers in 2024 across some of the most demanding environments in Australia’s resources sector. The scale and complexity of the operation made its safety performance even more remarkable.
Accepting the award on stage at the Australasian Fleet Management Association (AfMA) conference, Leahy shared a personal story about a driving incident two decades ago that shaped his commitment to road safety. “Thankfully, I didn’t hurt anyone,” he said, recalling how the experience highlighted the need for a strong safety culture. “That’s why I’m so happy that Sodexo takes a similar view. It’s about inspiring real change.”
One of the major safety innovations driving Sodexo’s recognition is its early adoption of the Guardian fatigue monitoring system in 2021. The in-cabin technology detects eyelid closure and includes a vibrating seat and audible alerts to wake drivers at risk of microsleep. Drivers are then required to pull over, contact their supervisor, and receive support before continuing.
Leahy explained, “We manage a 200-plus vehicle fleet, and the system alerts not just the driver but also our HSE department and village management team to provide immediate assistance. Fatigue doesn’t discriminate. It can affect anyone at any time.”
A key industry partner, Rio Tinto, has supported the initiative by mandating that all contractor and company vehicles on-site are fitted with fatigue monitoring systems, setting a new standard across the resources sector.
In addition to Guardian, Sodexo has integrated In-Vehicle Monitoring Systems (IVMS) to track driver behaviour such as speeding and harsh braking. “The result is a rich, data-driven platform that gives us a full picture of our fleet’s risk profile,” said Leahy. “With geotagged events and long-term analysis, we can respond proactively to emerging trends.”
The safety systems are more than just data tools — they’ve driven cultural change across Sodexo’s transport operations. Leahy praised the frontline team, many of whom work two weeks away from home in isolated environments. “They’re the real winners of this award. Their commitment and resilience make this level of safety performance possible.”
The award was presented by Drew Schnehage, CEO at Solved Australia, who reinforced the broader importance of safety in fleet operations. “We’re not just protecting assets — we’re protecting people,” Schnehage said. “The fleet industry keeps Australia moving, and that comes with responsibility. Safety must be the standard, not the exception.”
The 2025 Fleet Safety Award celebrates leadership, innovation, and a proactive approach to reducing risk. Sodexo’s comprehensive program — combining cutting-edge technology, driver training, and strategic partnerships — sets a high bar for the rest of the industry.
Congratulations to Scott Leahy and the entire Sodexo team for demonstrating what a true commitment to safety looks like in action.
