PYBAR’s New Safety, Health, Environment & Training Manager, Greg Lipka

With extensive experience across engineering and construction projects, spanning civil infrastructure, underground and open cut mining and renewable energy sectors, Greg Lipka is set to strengthen PYBAR’s commitment to safety in the role of Safety, Health, Environment & Training Manager.

No stranger to the mining industry, Greg continued a long family history in underground mining by embarking on his first job as an underground coal miner, working for Thiess for some of his time underground. This led to a further 16 years with Thiess in leadership and senior OH&S roles and a diverse and rewarding 30+ year career in work health and safety. 

Greg has completed a full circle by joining PYBAR, a Thiess Group company, bringing with him a wealth of valuable and relevant experience and insight to the key role of Safety, Health, Environment & Training Manager.

About Greg

“I come from a family of miners, spanning four generations. My great-grandfather was a mining engineer, and my grandfather spent his career sinking shafts and driving drifts in hard rock. My father was both a hard rock and underground coal miner. I started my career underground as a coal miner. This gave me an acute understanding of work ethic in high-risk environments.

“Over the past 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of managing health and safety in various high-risk industries, including open cut and underground mining, tunnelling, infrastructure construction, energy, and renewables. I’ve also spent a decade with the NSW Mines Rescue Service and three years as a firefighter with Fire & Rescue NSW.

“While my career took me away from mining for a time, mining has never been too far from my heart. My new role with PYBAR feels particularly meaningful to me, as I have the opportunity to give back to an industry that has been such a significant part of my family’s history.

“I was born in Poland, but grew up in Blacktown, Sydney – yes, I attended Evans High!, These days, I’m happiest when I can get out of Sydney and enjoy the bush. I’ve been married for 22 years (I’m not counting!) and have three children. My eldest daughter will soon finish her second master’s degree in speech pathology. My older son works as a disability support worker, while he deferred his Army enlistment. My youngest son just finished Year 12, completed the Defence Force selection, and is awaiting his enlistment date for the Navy.

“I am driven by three key personal values: people, pride, performance. Most recently, I have been fortunate to have led the WHS function at two of the most complex transport infrastructure projects for Transport for NSW (TfNSW). Both projects have had significant challenges, but both achieved an outstanding safety record and have been recognised by TfNSW as the safest projects in their NSW major infrastructure works portfolio. 

“I’m excited to bring my experience to PYBAR and contribute to our continued success. I look forward to working with everyone in the business to help us achieve our full potential.”