The Safety Dept. was built for growing businesses that need professional WHS management, but don’t need to employ an entire internal safety team.
Our Story
Large organisations often have safety managers, advisors, coordinators and administrative support keeping safety moving every day.
Most small and medium businesses don't.
But the obligations don't disappear because the internal team isn't there.
The Safety Dept. was created to fill that gap.
We give growing businesses access to the capability of a professional safety department without having to build one internally.
Because every business needs a safety function.
Not every business needs to employ one.
Our Approach
Good safety isn't about creating more paperwork.
It's about making sure the right things actually happen.
Safety needs active management.
Registers need updating. Actions need tracking. Responsibilities need to stay clear. Safety can't simply be set up and forgotten.
Safety should fit the business.
We build practical systems around your people, sites, risks and the way work actually gets done.
Safety belongs inside the operation.
We work alongside owners, managers and supervisors so safety becomes part of everyday business, not something sitting outside it.
Business owners need visibility.
You should know what's happening, what's outstanding and what needs attention without having to become the safety expert yourself.
Leadership
The Safety Dept. is led by Sarah-Jane Dunford, a senior WHS professional with more than 25 years' experience helping Australian businesses manage safety in higher-risk industries.
Throughout her career, Sarah-Jane worked with organisations that had dedicated safety managers, advisors, coordinators and support teams.
She also worked with growing businesses facing many of the same safety obligations without the resources to build those functions internally.
That experience showed her what was missing.
Businesses didn't just need another consultant or another folder of documents. They needed someone to help manage safety properly.
Sarah-Jane created The Safety Dept. to provide exactly that.
Today, she leads the standards, systems and senior safety oversight behind The Safety Dept.
25+ Years
High-risk industry WHS experience
2026 Business Woman of the Year
Recognised business leadership
Hunter Safety Awards
Founder
Riskology
Founder
NSW Industry Experience
Practical WHS management built around real operations
Read about Sarah-Jane's 2026 Business Woman of the Year award
Who We Work With
We support small and medium businesses operating in higher-risk industries where safety affects people, contracts, operations and growth.
Our experience includes
Construction & Trades
Subcontractors, specialist trades and site-based businesses
Civil, Earthworks & Infrastructure
Manufacturing & Industrial
Transport, Logistics & Warehousing
Mining & Resources Contractors
Agriculture, Land & Environmental Services
These businesses don't need safety theory.
They need practical WHS management that works around real people, plant, sites, deadlines and commercial pressures.
Next Step
As your people, sites, contracts and operations change, your safety requirements change with them.
That's why we stay involved.
The Safety Dept. gives you experienced people, practical structure and ongoing oversight to keep safety moving while you keep the business moving.
Your business runs the work. We help keep safety running with it.
