Why is Health and Safety Training Important?
Work health and safety (WHS) training is not just a legal requirement but a fundamental aspect of creating a safe and productive workplace. There are benefits to both employees and employers. Understanding Work Health and Safety Training Work health and safety training is an educational process that imparts knowledge, skills, and awareness, enabling workers to […]
Risk Registers: Getting back to basics
In today’s dynamic business environment, managing risks effectively is crucial for the success and sustainability of any organization. One of the most powerful tools in risk management is the risk register. But what exactly is a risk register, and how can it be used to its full potential? What is a Risk Register? A risk […]
Psychosocial Hazards
In recent years, there has been a noticeable rise in the number of workplaces reporting psychosocial hazards. The reality is that many cases likely go unreported, a situation acknowledged by Standards Australia. The Growing Concern A Safe Work Australia report revealed that mental health conditions accounted for 9% of all serious workers’ compensation claims during […]
Boards need “real health and safety knowledge”
When it comes to what happens in the Board Room, financial risk management is often top of mind. However, according to Emeritus Professor of Management at the University of NSW, Michael Quinlan, it is just as important to have someone with health and safety expertise on the board. There is a significant overlap between financial and […]
Take the Leap: Learn and Grow
When growing our business and wondering who to employ next, I have a list of women as long as my arm… our first ‘proper’ recruit was Jen. Those of you who know her know that she is an absolute gun: smart, kind, loyal, and too humble for her own good (a recognised workplace trait for […]
The WHS Act treats volunteers as workers. Are you protected?
A few weeks ago I was at a children’s sport game. As a parent, I get a note home with the expectations of my behaviour as the supporter (In short: “be positive”). When the game started, I noted the number of volunteers that make youth sport games go smoothly: volunteer referees with stipends, volunteer coaches […]
The Role of an Officer in WHS: A Fine of $1.3 Million
If you haven’t read it yet, you should read it now. – https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/company-fined-1-3-million-after-contractor-killed-by-forklift-20240219-p5f622.html In any organization, work health and safety is an important aspect that should not be overlooked. It is the responsibility of everyone in the workplace to ensure that the working environment is safe and healthy. However, officers in an organization have a […]
The Importance of Connection
On Friday, I had the opportunity to catch up with a friend who is also one of my mentors. As we sat down with her hot cup of tea and my almond latte, we began to talk about our recent holidays and families. However, we soon realized that we had not discussed work-related matters, which […]
The importance of auditing against your safety system
You wouldn’t set and forget a business plan – so why do businesses set and forget safety strategies? I’m a business owner and a safety auditor – but one plan is revisited a lot more than the other. Why is that? There are financial and criminal risks if we don’t look after our team. However, […]
Managing psychosocial risks at work
Two from every five Australians will have a mental health problem at some point. (source: https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/overview). They’re common, and often mild – anxiety and depression are most common – and can often be treated by a family practitioner. It doesn’t matter if the work tasks or environment originally caused or aggravates a mental health condition, […]