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Wow Sarah-Jane is dynamic and fast moving. At 40, she's very busy running Riskology Consulting, the Hunter Safety Awards, a new software project as well as the local branch of the Australian Institute of Health & Safety (formerly SIA).
TRANSCRIPT
Brendan Torazzi
This is an ohs.com.au production Welcome to Episode 31 of the Australian Health and Safety Business Podcast. I'm Brendan Torazzi, the host of this show and today I'm joined with Sarah Jane Dunford. Is that correct? Sarah? From a risk ology consulting. Good morning.
Unknown Speaker
Good morning.
Brendan Torazzi
So tell me a little bit about what risk ology consulting does.
Unknown Speaker
Oh, we boutique safety consultancy. So there's a bunch of us that help small businesses medium and large businesses across Australia. Get safe, so to speak. So right systems, audit, training, mentoring culture change the whole lot.
Brendan Torazzi
Okay, and how long have you been doing that for? nearly 10 years, so All right. Okay. And, and what what sort of led you down that path? We did you have a background in safety,
Unknown Speaker
or yeah, I've been in safety for 20 years now. So I started in my very early years in my career, and was safety manager for a few organizations and then moved up to Hunter Valley for love. And decided to start my own consultancy.
Brendan Torazzi
Oh, okay. Because I think I've seen so you obviously, you're still based in the hunter now? Yes, I am. And does that mean a lot of travel? Or are you able to do the work remotely?
Unknown Speaker
bits and pieces? We travel a lot, because the majority of our clients are in Sydney.
Brendan Torazzi
Okay, which is only just down the road really, isn't
Unknown Speaker
it? It's just a stone's throw?
Brendan Torazzi
Oh, that's excellent. So is there sort of some main verticals that you work in? Or? Like, what's your sweet Oh,
Unknown Speaker
everything. So some of our team have come from mining. So we do do a bit of money does the mining legislations different, but the majority is, you know, usually blue collar because they've got higher risk. But it's usually smaller businesses that will ring us and say, I know we're supposed to have something in place. We're not sure what can you help us?
Brendan Torazzi
Right. Okay. Okay. So there's sort of an does that typically come off the back of an incident? Or is it just really, it's
Unknown Speaker
just they get to a size and think, oh, we should have something in place? Maybe we should do something about it.
Brendan Torazzi
Yeah, right. Okay. And so your work generally doesn't come from word of mouth or?
Unknown Speaker
Yeah, with our larger multinationals that we work with, usually they've worked with us previously, or no of us. And they've done some work with us. But the smaller businesses, a lot of them find us online through Google. But word of mouth is.
Brendan Torazzi
I'm just on your website. Now looking at these fantastic icons that you've got on your homepage. Is that you upfront, sir Jane with a yes. That's great. And they're all They're sort of the core team? Six, six or seven on the front page? So
Unknown Speaker
yes, so you'll notice our websites very different, it's very cartoony. And the reason why was we found that safety can sometimes be seen as that nerdy boring library or library librarian type person. So now we've all got, you know, good personalities, and we're bubbly. And we wanted that to shine through to say, you know, that, you know, simply doesn't have to be boring. And your mantra for our business internally and externally happiness. So happiness for what we do, and happiness for our clients.
Brendan Torazzi
Oh, that's great. I love that. And I haven't heard that. I haven't heard that. Turn in safety. So that's yeah, it's definitely fresh. Yeah. Fantastic. And you were saying earlier that you do, you've got a few different things. If you'd different feathers in your your bow, so to speak, what what else are you
Unknown Speaker
doing? We also have a business called contact contracting. So one touch contracting is where we do pre qualification for contractors where it's at no cost to the client. And there's a lot of software companies out there that do similar things. But the difference for us is we also do free on site audits of contractors and accident investigations and improvement meetings. So we've got that face to face consultant type services as well, that's included in that free service for the client with the contractors. So we really love it, and it's only new we only launched it this year, but it seems to be going really well. So It's good.
Brendan Torazzi
So just walk me through how that would work. So I'm a, let's say, I'm a medium sized construction company, I ring you guys and tell me tell me what you'll do for me, just just so people understand exactly what this is.
Unknown Speaker
All we need is the email addresses of the contractors that this construction company uses, we then send them an email saying that we've been engaged to do your pre qualification check as a contractor, they then get access to an online software system where there are ways to upload evidence of whatever it is that the construction company and we would guide them through what would be appropriate in terms of do they need their white card, do they want a copy of their system for review, they want to have look at this effort visit statements and their insurance documents. So they upload all that evidence, we then check it and either approve them or recommendations in for them to start work with the construction company. And so we the contractor pays a small fee. And the beauty of it is we we're a very lean company, we we all work from home, sometimes in our pajamas. But it's all to keep our costs low so that we can offer affordable services. So we're very big on giving back to small businesses in in things that are affordable. So we've since we started risk ology, we've donated over $200,000, in complimentary consulting, and we try and just have affordable services so that we can impact in as many businesses as possible to have great safety in place.
Brendan Torazzi
And so for a service like this, it's I guess, fairly low risk on the client side. It's not going to cost them anything. And then they get our central spot where all the all their contractors are up to date with all the training calls. And as you say, all the all the all the risk management that the contract has in place.
Unknown Speaker
So yes, and depending on how many contractors are signed up through that client, we also have the ability to then do on site audits. So if, for example, they're a little bit concerned about one of the contractors will then go out and do an audit on site to check, are they actually doing what they say they should be doing from a safety perspective.
Brendan Torazzi
And again, that the cost for that would be on this call included
Unknown Speaker
in that free service to the client. And the contractor pays Yeah, the
Brendan Torazzi
contract device. So
Unknown Speaker
yeah, so it's $250 a year per contractor. And it covers all those services. Love it. Yeah,
Brendan Torazzi
that's, that's, that sounds like an absolute bargain. So that's kind of the clients nothing, and then the contractors have to pay 250 bucks a year, is it per company or per per company? Oh, that's, that sounds very affordable. So are you getting much pushback from the contractors or?
Unknown Speaker
No, that's the biggest concern that clients have saying, if we suddenly start asking them to pay some money, we're going to lose them. And so compared to cost of other software companies that do it, it's significantly cheaper than what our competitors are charging, and they don't have that on site check as well. But also, the we do have some clients that say, Look, our small sole traders, they're going to fund that themselves in pain that
Brendan Torazzi
you're saying, Yep.
Unknown Speaker
Yeah, so surprisingly, we haven't had much pushback at all from the contractors, because it's such a small fee. Yeah. And
Brendan Torazzi
I think, look, the whole world's going in that way. Now, where some, you know, you it's the freemium model, really, isn't it? Like you offer something of value at little free or at a little cost? And then that gives, you know, new customers the opportunity to experience your service? And yeah, but perhaps there's potential to do further work? Yeah.
Unknown Speaker
Yeah. So as well as one touch, we also have the health safety awards. So that's an annual awards night where we get about 400 people together in Newcastle. And we're actually our fifth year with that. And it's really great event in terms of celebrating safety and having the positive
Unknown Speaker
side talked about. And it's getting bigger and bigger each year. So that's one of my favorite
Unknown Speaker
projects. There's also the New South Wales regional safety conference and expos and we've done two years of that. And I also run the hunted branch for the Australians institute of health and safety. So we do
Brendan Torazzi
is that is that sia or not? Yeah. Okay. Yeah. The newly branded
Unknown Speaker
sia AI HS? Yes. Oh,
Brendan Torazzi
wow. Never a dull day. Don't you sound like you got your really got your hands for with lots of projects. Sarah Jane,
Unknown Speaker
we also, personally, I run an American bison file. And we're doing we're building it. We're up to about 30,000 parts on the farm at the moment for a gardening show. Oh, wow, I'm very busy.
Brendan Torazzi
Yeah, absolutely. So I was I was just gonna, I was curious to hear a little bit more about the hunter safety awards. And I think that's where I know your name from because I've seen the marketing for that. It's really good. It's, it's very visible. Yes. So what made you start that?
Unknown Speaker
Visiting smaller businesses, I found that you'd visit the firt. The first meeting, you'd have this, oh, we're doing this and that. And I think this is really amazing. You guys should put in front award or something like that? No, oh, no, no. And so I felt like there was a there was a, there wasn't actually networking in the Hunter Valley. So I really felt like there was a need for something in the hunter, to share good ideas, share in innovation and celebrate successes. And so it was a couple of years of me asking other people, what do you think? Do you want to get involved? And everybody said no. So for all stuff it I'll start reading it myself and didn't? Yeah, after
Brendan Torazzi
weight, and everybody jumped on board.
Unknown Speaker
Yeah, yeah. But there were little things I did, for example, the years prior, I went to a lot of awards sites to see what I liked and didn't like out of them. And one of the things was having a really memorable trophy. So I spent a lot of time trying to work out what trophy beak is, a lot of people enter now, just so they can win the trophy. So it's a gold hardhat.
Brendan Torazzi
So that's awesome. I love that. So we get
Unknown Speaker
them chromed. And then my husband builds the rest of the trophy for me. And every year, he's a bit. Oh, I didn't want to do it again. And every year I force him to do it again.
Brendan Torazzi
And so how many hard hats are you handing out each year? Oh, it's 12. Okay, so it's, yeah, I mean, it's pretty special to get one of those then.
Unknown Speaker
Yeah, yeah. And whenever I bump into people who have one, one, they say it's pride of place,
Unknown Speaker
either, you know, in their boardroom, or the reception desk, or whatever. And they're very proud with their trophies. So that's really nice to hear.
Brendan Torazzi
And so with these awards, what categories do you have?
Unknown Speaker
We've got Business of the Year, which is the major prize, and we've got safety champion, young safety leader, Student of the Year, and then we've got the enterprise one. So we've also got the the best innovation for large and then small and medium. And then we've got a bit system, health and well being program. What else? Best trade goes?
Brendan Torazzi
Yeah. And then have you found? Because I think Do you have safe work supporting it as well? Now, they one of the major sponsors?
Unknown Speaker
No. AGL are a major sponsor to sponsor again this year, which has been fantastic.
Brendan Torazzi
Okay. Yeah. I mean, this is this is important part of important part of the region, I would imagine.
Unknown Speaker
They're a little bit quiet with the awards that could get involved. But yeah, yeah, not yet.
Brendan Torazzi
Yeah. Well, I guess that every year, you go on, I mean, five years running. That's a, you know, you're definitely getting into that established sector of the business now. So I it's not Yeah, I would you describe it as a business or is it? It's more of a community project.
Unknown Speaker
I think it's more like a community project. We try and breakeven with it. The first few years, I was funding a lot of it myself. And now we're at a breakeven point, obviously, the time I put into it.
Brendan Torazzi
At that time, yeah, of course.
Unknown Speaker
I don't get anything out of it. So yeah, as long as we can break even with the event, yeah, I'm very happy.
Brendan Torazzi
Yeah, that's excellent. And what about the sorry, I still haven't got my the AI HS, is that right? Yes. Yeah. How much of your time does that take?
Unknown Speaker
Not too much. So there's the hunter branch. So basically, I asked people that I know that have gotten working in safety in amazing businesses. Would you be open to opening your door and talking about how you manage your safety and your hands and people have said yes, so it's quite easy to do. I've also, I'm chairing the Australian safety awards on behalf of the Australian Institute of Health and Safety. So that's the first year will be next year in May. Yeah. And so it's basing what we did with the hunter safety awards into the Australian safety awards. Oh, that's
Brendan Torazzi
amazing. That's amazing. And how many members would there be around the country?
Unknown Speaker
Oh, oh, this is there's about 2000. But I could be way off.
Brendan Torazzi
Okay. Okay. And then that broken down into like all the major capital cities, and then there's some regional branches as well.
Unknown Speaker
Yeah. So for example, in New South Wales, we've got Sydney region, then we've got a Wollongong region, we've got a Western Sydney region, our Northern Sydney, Central Coast, and
Brendan Torazzi
and do you find that there's a lot of collaboration between the different branches? Or do people tend to stick within their own branch and
Unknown Speaker
know there's lots of collaboration. So for example, all the organizers from New South Wales or met up last Sunday in Sydney, and talked about the year ahead. So yeah, we're, we're supportive of each other, which is really nice.
Brendan Torazzi
Yeah. So I guess if you've got an issue or a question that you need answering, there's someone in the network that's probably been there been there before and can share their experience?
Unknown Speaker
Yeah. And that's part of what the institute is, is really assisting people in the industry, and, you know, are there mentoring programs or, you know, education out there that people can lean on?
Brendan Torazzi
Yep. Oh, that's, that's, that's fantastic. So what's the what's the future? Hold for you, Sarah? Jane, what are your plans?
Unknown Speaker
Um, I'd like to fix that my work life balance.
Brendan Torazzi
Okay, so there's a bit too much work. It sounds like you have a hell of a lot on your plate.
Unknown Speaker
In probably a decade, I just like to be on a tractor and do farming. But over the next few years, I'm really trying to break down one touch contracting and make that a success. Because I think it's, I just love the structure of it. And I think it's so beneficial for businesses. It's just getting the word out there about it.
Brendan Torazzi
Did you just did you build that software yourself? Or manage someone else to build it?
Unknown Speaker
Yes. Yes, we did. Yeah.
Brendan Torazzi
How long? How long did that take? Because it's always I know, a lot of people that have got into software, and then like, Oh, my God, now I've done like opening a can of worms.
Unknown Speaker
Well, it's quite simple software. So there's so many opportunities for us to grow with it with, you know, delving into contractor inductions and stuff like that. So this is the first stage. And then we want to look at opening the can of worms and what else we can tackle with it.
Brendan Torazzi
So is it was that something that took a long time to develop? Or is it
Unknown Speaker
did over the last 12 months? Yes. Well, 12
Brendan Torazzi
months isn't too bad. And you and you've launched it already, and you've got traction? So? Yes, yes. And how many customers? Have they jumped on board now? Or? Yeah,
Unknown Speaker
we just about everybody that we've put it forward to have said yes. So, so far, so good.
Brendan Torazzi
Oh, that's amazing. That's amazing. Okay, well, look, we'll wrap up the interview. Now, I've just got five short questions to ask you. May I ask how old you are? 40. And what do you like to do to keep fit? Or ride? Bike Ride? Okay, and Max? Are dirt bikes. Okay, fantastic. Is that so? I take it on your farm. Is that?
Unknown Speaker
Yeah, or Enduro? Through the books? Fantastic.
Brendan Torazzi
And how many? How many hours sleep? Are you getting on average each night?
Unknown Speaker
I try to get eight hours, on average, probably seven and a half.
Brendan Torazzi
Okay. And do you have any personal goals you're looking to achieve in the next 12 months?
Unknown Speaker
Work life balance.
Brendan Torazzi
Great. And if you could be remembered for one thing in business, what do you think that would be?
Unknown Speaker
Giving back to the community and safety?
Brendan Torazzi
Fantastic. So if people want to find out a little bit more about you, Sarah Jane, what's the best website? You've got a few websites I take it but how's it I guess I'm LinkedIn would be one way?
Unknown Speaker
Yes. Yeah, either LinkedIn or through risk ology. consulting.com today Yeah,
Brendan Torazzi
that's right. Well, thank you very much for your time today and best of luck with all your projects. They say they all sound fantastic.
Unknown Speaker
Thanks for having me, Brandon.