Many business owners dread thinking about work health and safety compliance but, according to Anna Beaumont, it doesn’t have to be onerous.

Anna, of Beaumont Solutions, was the guest speaker at the latest Women in Business Regional Network dinner at Victor Harbor on 8 April.  

Those in attendance at the Hotel Crown were asked to consider the types of risks in their businesses, even if they work alone, and to consider measures to, ideally, eliminate the risk or, at the very least, reduce it.

A number of recent cases resulting in significant fines for businesses both big and small, including individual owners and directors, provided incentive for a review of safety in the workplace, but Anna challenged the women to think of safety not just because of the fear of fines.

As well as providing a range of tips to make workplace safety easier, Anna outlined four key steps to good workplace safety – identifying, assessing and controlling risks, as well as training staff.

Although personal protective equipment was an option to reduce risks, Anna said it should be seen as the last resort to deal with hazards, and other means should be explored, including eliminating the task completely from your workplace by outsourcing, changing the way you do something, or even providing written procedures and signage to help reduce the danger.

The next Victor Harbor function for the network will be a lunch on Thursday, April 29 at the Middleton Tavern. The guest speaker will be Demelza Thorpe of Powdermonkey Design, who will talk about branding for small business.

The Women in Business Regional Network is open to business owners, managers, staff and those dreaming of owning their own business.  You don’t have to be a member to attend events, but bookings are essential via Eventbrite.

For more information about the Women in Business Regional Network visit the WIB website or phone Carolyn on 0435 432 203.  

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