The Safety Dept.

23/02/2026

My author copies were delivered today! There’s nothing like holding a book you’ve written.

As a small business owner, I know how easy it is to think safety is covered.

We’ve got procedures. We’ve done the training. We deal with issues when they arise.

But when something goes wrong, courts don’t look at effort. They look at whether your system was actually governing risk.

That’s why I wrote Safety Decoded: Australia.

It’s written for SMEs who want to understand how safety is judged when it matters, and why good businesses still get caught out.

If you run a business in Australia, this may shift how you think about safety.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GMSQ48S3?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_m_mng_wim_sft_tpbk_tkin&qid=1770775376&sr=1-1

13/02/2026

Ten years ago, I began writing about the impact of automation and digital systems on workplace safety.

At the time, psychosocial risk was barely part of mainstream WHS conversations. AI wasn’t drafting HR policies. Algorithms weren’t widely allocating workload or measuring performance in real time.

That landscape has changed dramatically.

This week, NSW passed amendments to the Work Health and Safety Act recognising digital work systems including AI, algorithms and automated management tools as potential sources of workplace risk.

That is a turning point.

For decades we’ve regulated physical systems of work. Now we are formally acknowledging that digital systems also shape pace, pressure, visibility and psychological exposure.

Risk hasn’t disappeared with technology.
It has relocated.

The real challenge for organisations isn’t simply compliance with this Bill. It’s architectural:

How are digital systems being designed?
Who sets algorithmic pace?
How is psychosocial load assessed when work is allocated by code rather than by people?

Acceleration isn’t slowing down. Governance needs to evolve just as quickly.

Here is the Bill for those who want to read it directly:
https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bill/files/18847/Passed%20by%20both%20Houses.pdf

We’re entering an era where safety professionals must understand not only plant and equipment, but also digital architecture.

That conversation is only just beginning.

11/02/2026

After many years working in safety across major organisations, one pattern keeps repeating. Most safety systems look structured on paper, yet struggle in practice.

SJ has pulled together what she’s learnt into a practical guide focused on making safety management actually work in real businesses. It’s not about paperwork or theory. It’s about structure, accountability, and clarity.

If you’re a business owner, executive, or safety professional, it may be useful.

Link here:

Visit Amazon's Safety Decoded: Australia Page and shop for all Safety Decoded: Australia books. Check out pictures, author information, and reviews of Safety Decoded: Australia

23/11/2021

Riskology turned TEN this month; I cannot believe it's been a decade since I flew up to QLD for a day for my first client project, never did I expect that flight would be one of hundreds that my business would take me on. I distinctly remember deciding to leave the cubicle in my early 30's, hoping it would work out, but certainly not imagining it would take off the way it did.

Here I am ten years later, having not only gotten an extremely loyal client base, but so many other bucket list achievements have been ticked off too.

I launched an awards event which is up to it's 6th year and the most well known safety awards event in the country, chaired the start up of the Australian Safety Awards, launched the Hunter branch of the Safety Institute of Australia, and the NSW Regional Safety Conference and Expo, spoken and MC'd at hundreds of events, and spoke overseas as the only female speaker at the Middle Eastern Conference for Safety Engineers. I also launched the sister businesses One Touch Contracting, and 45001 Systems.

I'm most proud of my team over the years, current and past that have supported my vision and we were able to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars of complimentary consulting to small regional businesses over the years, with the mantra of happiness - happiness for the team and happiness for our clients.

I want to say a HUUUGE thank you for your support, your support of the events, your recommendations and referrals and everything else you've done for me since Riskology launched ten years ago. I honestly couldn't have done it without you all.

Here's to another ten. 😉

SJ

13/11/2021

https://www.facebook.com/HunterSafetyAwards/photos/a.1022560737763585/4806176859401935/?type=3

Last month, our founder Sarah-Jane Dunford was interviewed on Newcastle Live radio!

She chatted with Tracey McKelligott about the challenges we faced in 2020 and what you can expect from the 2022 awards ⭐

If you didn't get a chance to hear the interview, give it a listen below 👇

🎙️ newcastlelive.com.au/hunter-safety-awards-2/

29/10/2021

13/09/2021

Click here to read the Hunter Safety Awards magazine

https://www.huntersafetyawards.com.au/blog/hunter-safety-awards-magazine-2020

16/08/2021

09/08/2021

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists and thank you to everyone involved for your patience and understanding with the event. Here’s to hoping next year goes off smoothly.

Thank you to the Herald for the great awards liftout!

2022 applications are now open! www.huntersafetyawards.com.au

30/07/2021

Over 100 years separate these two images taken in the same location near Delegete on the NSW/VIC border. The first captured during the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1919 and the second today, while our nation battles COVID-19. Both feature members of the NSW Police Force & ADF. When times get tough, we come together as a nation.

24/07/2021

The 2021 Australian Workplace Health & Safety Awards by the Australian Institute of Health and Safety, Congratulations to all the finalists and winners and also the volunteer judges and of course the sponsors.

Watch the awards and see the innovation, excellence and success that has taken place across the industry. Gain some insights into how the industry has been responding to a challenging year.

With a record number of nominations, it was a tough selection process for our judging panel to choose shortlisted finalists and winners.

Key themes for our nominees this year were mental health programs and COVID-19 responses. We'd like to acknowledge everyone who entered into the awards this year and congratulate them on their contributions towards shaping health & safety in Australia.

https://youtu.be/1dRoVRzA6mo

24/07/2021

As you can imagine, we have been watching the latest COVID-19 outbreak closely, hoping against hope that it would not be significant.

Unfortunately new restrictions have affected our event and attendees.

As the leading and only awards in the Hunter region devoted to safety, we must lead by example and as a result, we can not hold our postponed 2020 Awards Ceremony on 6 August 2021 😞

We are incredibly disappointed, as only weeks ago it looked like we would be more than fine to proceed.

However, we still believe it is extremely important to recognise our winners and their efforts.

Keep an eye out for our announcement on Friday 6 August.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us admin@huntersafetyawards.com.au.