Past and Upcoming Speaking Engagements

In this presentation, we explore the various health and safety innovations used during the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge (GGB) in the 1930s, including the first modern recorded use of hard hats, individual fall protection, face cream to protect workers from high winds, and of course the famous safety net—credited with saving 19 workers during the build.

Unfortunately, the story does not end there. Over the next 90 years, the GGB gained a nefarious reputation as the most dangerous bridge in North America (second in the world), with an average of 30 deaths by self‑harm each year—over 2,000 since completion.

When we examine the controls implemented during construction against the hierarchy of controls, we see that despite meeting current legislative requirements such as guardrails and physical separation between vehicles and pedestrians, the GGB has failed to prevent fatalities caused by intentional self‑harm.

In 2024, a return to an old method—the safety net—was implemented. Although it reduced fatalities, it did not eliminate them. This raises an important question: how do we get the number to zero, and what lessons can we apply to our own construction projects that pose similar risks?

When did workplace occupational health and safety really begin? Was it in the 1960s and 70s with the civil rights movement and the introduction of occupational health and safety legislation across the Western world? Perhaps it was the 1950s with the formation of safety councils, or the 1930s with labour laws and workers’ compensation boards. Certainly, the Industrial Revolution played a role. Or maybe we need to look even further back—to ancient Greece and Rome.

This presentation will try, and ultimately fail, to answer these questions; however, by digging into the past and expanding our perspective beyond a Western viewpoint, it promises to offer a fresh  and entertaining understanding of the OHS profession and the many forces that have shaped it over time.

This presentation explores historic controls put in place to prevent worker injuries. From inflatable helmets and chickens used as gas detectors to radioactive condoms, we will examine these ingenious—and sometimes not so effective—controls of the past, and the lessons they offer for making better decisions as we control hazards on today’s worksites.

What Happens Before, During, and After a Serious Incident: Introduction to the Incident Command Model 

Prevention is always our top priority in any construction project; however, when these actions fail, we are often managing serious incidents that require a systematic response. In this 45-minute presentation, we will look at how to prepare your organization for serious injuries and events, introduce the Incident Command Model - a standard approach used by emergency response personnel across Canada and the world. Finally, we will discuss how to respond to these major incidents after the initial emergency has been managed.  

Organizational and Individual Resilience 

We are fortunate to be living and working in a time where our knowledge of resilience - both as an organization, and as an individual - has been thoroughly researched. It is a matter now of putting some of this expert knowledge into practical use to improve our ability to prepare, manage and thrive in the face of adversity. 

Using the CSA-Z1003 Psychological health and safety in the workplace standard in combination with Job-Demand Resource model, this presentation can be as short as 20 minutes as an introduction, to a 1/2 day workshop. 

This intentionally provocative hook sets the stage for a discussion about the true value of psychological safety in the workplace and its impact on all aspects of business—from incident reporting to productivity and employee engagement.

A psychologically safe workplace does more than reduce mental health injuries; it can improve nearly every area of organizational performance. Understanding this helps us see why changes to our management systems are not only necessary to protect workers, but foundational to building a successful business.

The Hierarchy of Controls Revolution

We are all familiar with the five‑step hierarchy of controls, a method that dates back to the 1955 National Safety Council’s safety manual, and one that has been used in research and practice for over 70 years. Recently, several other models have been introduced, including versions based on energy hazards and psychological health and safety.

In this presentation, we look back at the original hierarchy and examine new models developed between 1955 and today, discussing how these approaches can reduce injuries and better inform our control evaluation processes.

Safety Practice Versus Profession

This presentation explores the distinction between what a safety professional does and how they do it. What is the role of a safety professional?

From newly graduated occupational safety students to seasoned, problem‑solving change agents, we trace the evolution of the safety professional’s career and highlight the behaviours that move individuals from inexperience to expertise. We also examine how organizations can best leverage these professionals to drive success—not only in health and safety, but in change management, leadership, and influence.