In a nutshell
With an applied science degree in occupational health and safety and two decades of experience, I provide consulting services and respirator fit testing services throughout Northwest BC. I am also able to support organizations virtually across Canada. My focus is on small to medium size organizations who value their staff and wish to do everything reasonable to protect their health and safety while navigating what is legally required and what is practically possible and doable.
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I have provided consulting, legal services, training to leadership and staff across a number of industries including manufacturing, retail, construction and healthcare. For a more detailed look at my work history, check out the scenic route below.
The scenic route
Education
Applied Science Degree (Honours) in Occupational Health and Safety
Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
A full spectrum five-year co-operative experience has provided a solid foundation in hazard identification, assessment and control. A highlight of courses includes safety evaluation techniques, accident theory and analysis, occupational hygiene techniques, ability management, epidemiology, toxicology, physical hazards, health effects of radiation, health promotion and education, and occupational health and safety law.
Each year, my dedication was recognized on the Dean's List and in 2003, I recieved the Faculty of Community Service Award for Excellence and in 2004, I received an Award of Merit for attaining the highest GPA in the School of Occupational Health and Safety.
I maintain a high level of work ethic and tenacity. I apply this high energy and dedication to each of my clients and the work we are engaged in.
Experience
Summer of 2004 & 2005
Alcan Primary Metal
At university, I chose the co-operative stream and was first hired by Alcan Primary Metal in Kitmat, BC where I worked on a number of safety-based projects. I was asked back for a second term where I was given more responsibility and greater scope. I provided all summer student orientations and tracked each students progress through their supervisor's task observations, while also providing feedback and coaching to supervisors on the quality of their observations. WorkSafeBC, during a routine inspection, began questioning a supervisor that I was coaching. Although the matter in question was not related, I was able to provide the WorkSafeBC officer with the supervisor's documented student observations which satisfied the officer as to the supervisor's diligent care for his staff. The WorkSafeBC officer turned his focus to the employer's policy, which required changes that were then made. This is proactive due diligence in action. When you bank this, you can rest easy and work cooperatively with regulators whether they come out of a matter of routine, due to a complaint, or out of tragedy.
I also created a training package for leadership across Canada introducing the new Bill C-45 Criminal Code legislation that brought the ability to be charged with criminal negligence into the occupational context.
Sepember 2004 – April 2005
Apotex Inc.
My next co-op term was with Apotex, a generic pharmaceutical company based in Toronto. This is where I gained experience in occupational hygiene conducting air sampling, swab sampling, noise and octave band sampling and writing the resulting reports. I also gained experience managing compensation claims and return-to-work plans. My Apotex experience highlighted to me what it is like to work in a truly supportive, curious team. Although it was a fast paced environment, filled with challenges including decades worth of occupational hygiene testing that required prioritizing, the environment that was created was one of collaboration and care.
My hands-on experience at Apotex in occupational hygiene and disability management broadened my understanding; however, my focus remains on workplace safety. If you are looking for occupational hygiene support, I can provide recommendations on available companies.
May 2007 – January 2009
(Permanent, Full-time)
May - September 2006
(Co-Op Position)
Gowlings LLP
My final co-op term, which led to a full-time permanent position, was with Gowlings Law firm working as a consultant and paralegal within a team of seven and led by Occupational Health and Safety lawyer, Norm Keith. I was first located in the Toronto office and then transferred to grow the practice in Calgary. In my role I provided legal support, training, research and writing support and proactive consulting:
Legal
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Led thorough accident investigations: reviewed the Crown’s disclosure, developed case-specific questioning for witnesses, conducted witness interviews, developed due diligence defence by analyzing the defendant’s evidence to defend charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and drafting a detailed report (Trial Memorandum)
Training
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Facilitated training courses for up to 30 participants in Due Diligence for Supervisors and Managers (2-day), Accident Investigation, Emergency Preparedness & Response, Joint Health and Safety Committee Member Certified training (1 to 2-day)
Writing & Research
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Co-authored articles for Canadian Occupational Safety (“COS”) Magazine, Worksite News, OHS Law Report and the American Society of Safety Engineers’ publication
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Researched and wrote “Lessons Learned” chapter regarding the events of 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the Ice Storm of 1998, the Blackout of 2003, & the collapse of the de la Concorde Overpass in Quebec for Norm Keith’s publication, “The Canadian Emergency Management & Response Manual”
Consulting
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Developed OHS Management System policies, procedures, and supporting documents for clients in a variety of industries
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Conducted compliance audits to determine compliance with (1) Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act and (2) Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Code
Through my legal work with the firm, my ability to conduct witness interviews was highly praised. I am able to extract the needed facts, discern witness credibility while also holding compassion and empathy, regardless of accusation of fault. I have held space and meticulously documented the details of many accidents. I have also been able to bring these learning into the proactive aspects of my consulting and training work while maintaining client confidentiality and omitting identifying characteristics. It is the lessons learned that is important and powerful when relaying these experiences to those who may not be fully aware of the devastation a workplace accident creates or the need for established, documented due diligence. Over the years, relaying the what and how of an incident and not the 'who' has become second nature.
Through my consulting work with Gowlings, I learned that I can easily drop into a project, gain rapport with clients and employees to create the assigned policy, procedure, or training solution to practically address their concern.
March 2009 - September 2020
Northern Health Authority
After deciding that I wanted to live nestled in the mountains and yearning to return to Northern BC, I landed a Safety Advisor position with Northern Health. Professionally, I wanted to build deeper relationships with those I served and I wanted to be part of sustaining the safety management systems I was designing. Occupational Health and Safety within Healthcare is not something my education or career, to that point, had prepared me for. The hazards in healthcare are vast and numerous but they are also covert. Initially, I was shocked to learn of the magnitude of violence that plagues our care providers - those whose profession is more of a calling, a true act of service that attracts the most giving souls, who, at times, give beyond their own capacity, leading to burnout. It's a bewildering position to be in, advocating for those who often justify or dismiss the acts of violence they endure. Over the years, I did witness a shift in this culture while also gaining a greater understanding and appreciation of the attitudes maintained by those who care for those experiencing their worst. I quickly grew to love my work in healthcare. I worked with managers and supervisors who genuinely cared for people - caring for their staff was not a stretch. I found that I no longer was explaining the importance of implementing health and safety practices but focused on the 'how' of addressing concerns and impressing the need for documenting all their diligent work. My work traversed all safety aspects from building maintenance (fall protection to confined space entry) to care providers working alone in client homes and included but was not limited to:
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Advising Managers and Supervisors on the requirements of BC’s OHS legislation; offer guidance and coaching on finding practical solutions to meet compliance
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Continually coaching Managers and Supervisors on quality incident investigations and finding corrective actions that have a systematic approach and follow SMART principles
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Attending Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC) meetings throughout the NW as a resource guest and answering questions/providing clarity on OHS legislation and Policy; Facilitating JOHSC annual reviews; Designing JOHSC Terms of Reference, Minute and Agenda templates; and, Writing Monthly Newsletters
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Providing education sessions: New JOHSC Member, Working Alone and In Isolation, Creating Quality Corrective Actions, Conducting Inspections, and Unsafe Work Refusal
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Facilitating accident investigations and witness interviews and drafting final reports
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Facilitating the completion of compliance plans in response to WSBC Orders
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Participating on the Violence Risk Assessment Standard Provincial Working Group and facilitating site Violence Risk Assessment completion
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Utilizing my working knowledge of foundational Occupational Hygiene goals: recognized, evaluated, and advocated for the discontinuation of ethylene oxide; evaluated the use of formaldehyde in several settings and worked with clinicians to find workable process solutions that met the safety needs of staff and their patients
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Drafting and managing the development of Policies and Procedures including: Targeted Violence: Management and Response, Unsafe Work Refusal, Safe Driving and Communication, Working Alone & In Isolation, Pre-Home Visit Telephone Screening, Client Transport Risk Assessment, Incident Reporting & Investigations; Conducting Effective Workplace Inspections
September 2020 - November 2021
Northern Health
In 2020 a long envisioned position of Safety Advisor - Capital Planning was created. In this position, I was able to parlay my years of experience in accident investigation into the capital planning of new builds of hospitals and long-term care facilities. Based on the blueprints provided, I advised architects, engineers and healthcare leadership assigned to capital planning projects on where and how to implement physical controls within the built environment to reduce the risk to healthcare workers. For example, I advised on where and what type of over-head patient lifts to install to ensure maximum coverage of the room and access to/over the toilet and shower/bathtub to prevent musculoskeletal injuries. In areas with a high risk for violence, I advised on design elements that provide a higher level of security. Long before the creation of this dedicated position, I had advised on one new hospital that then, a decade later, I was able to stand in. I did thirty second happy dances throughout the building as I saw my advice brought from 2D drawings into the physical. In many respects, I thought I had landed my ideal position in an industry I felt wholly committed. It was the most altruistic position of my career - I cared for the carers - and now I was working proactively within the top tiers of the hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution and engineering.
So now, I am looking to branch out once again and embark on a new path, excited to advise companies that see value in their staff and truly wish to do all that is reasonably practical to protect that value.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me. I look forward to hearing how I might assist your organization with its health and safety goals.
Certification
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CoreLinx Management Training (2019)
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BC Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum (2018)
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Coaching Out of the Box Tri-Ad Facilitator (2018)
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Coaching Out of the Box (2011)
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Educational Design for New Designers, Langevin Learning Services (2008)
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Dale Carnegie Training: Effective Communication & Human Relations (2008)
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North Respiratory Protection Train the Trainer Certification (2005)
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Award of Merit (Highest GPA in School of Occupational & Public Health) Toronto Metropolitan (formerly Ryerson) University (2004)
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Faculty of Community Service Award for Excellence, Toronto Metropolitan (formerly Ryerson) University (2003)
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Dean List Honours, Toronto Metropolitan (formerly Ryerson) University (2003 & 2004)