In this episode of The Rev Room, Francois sits down with occupational health and safety specialist Tamryn Raffles from Labournet to unpack why OHS is far more than a legal tick-box. They break down Section 8, 14, 24 and 37 responsibilities, vicarious liability, contractor risk, and what really happens when an incident occurs – from WCL forms to shutting down machinery and facing inspectors. More importantly, they explore how smart businesses use risk assessments, training, and clear procedures to build a safety culture that protects people, reduces downtime, and keeps founders out of crisis mode.

Three key takeaways

• Compliance is the floor, not the ceiling. OHS isn’t just about avoiding fines and contravention notices – it’s a moral responsibility and a culture-driver. When staff feel genuinely safe, behaviour, productivity and retention all shift.
• Liability flows downward – and back up. Under Section 37, employers can be held vicariously liable for the actions of employees and contractors, unless they can prove clear authority, controls and reasonable steps to prevent harm. Your “I didn’t know” defence won’t hold.
• Risk assessments only work if everyone is in the room. A baseline risk assessment isn’t a static document; it’s an ongoing process that involves supervisors, reps and the people on the floor. When incidents happen, you go back to the assessment, adjust controls and tighten training.

If this conversation made you realise your health and safety is more “hope and guess” than structured and documented, it may be time to treat OHS like the strategic lever it really is. Start by asking a simple question: if an inspector or serious incident arrived tomorrow, would you be confident… or exposed?

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