Celebrating health and safety leaders

IHSA’s 2024 Annual General Meeting recognized excellence in the industries we serve.

More than 160 people attended our Annual General Meeting on October 2, 2024 in Mississauga—and applauded the winners of IHSA’s Health and Safety Awards. These awards acknowledge individuals, teams, and committees who demonstrate an outstanding dedication to the promotion of workplace health and safety across the construction, transportation, and electrical utilities industries.

Before announcing the winners, Enzo Garritano, IHSA President and CEO, and Sandro Pinto, Labour Co-Chair of IHSA’s Board of Directors, shared the highlights and challenges of the previous year, as described in our 2023 Annual Report.

Shirley Hickman, Executive Director of Threads of Life, also delivered a keynote address about how the Canadian charity supports families after a workplace fatality, life-altering injury, or occupational disease. Hickman encouraged attendees to be changemakers who prevent injuries, illnesses, and fatalities at their workplaces by prioritizing health and safety.

Gil Samson Award

Ottawa Regional Labour-Management Health and Safety Committee

The committee collaborated with industry partners to expand its reach and raise awareness of key workplace hazards. Its members provided locations, staff, and equipment to support the creation of 14 video safety talks on struck-by and fall hazards—which have been seen by thousands of viewers on IHSA’s YouTube channel. They also worked with the City of Ottawa to address heavy equipment blind spots in relation to vulnerable road users. Focusing on another key aspect of workplace health and safety, the committee hosted a mental health event to reduce stigma and build resilience in the workplace and helped those in the Ottawa region to better understand the opioid crisis in the trades and the lifesaving medication naloxone.

John M. Beck Award

Kiewit-Eurovia-Vinci (Ottawa Light Rail Transit Project)

The “Craft Voice in Safety” joint health and safety committee (JHSC) members at the Kiewit-Eurovia-Vinci consortium’s multiple project sites are known by their blue helmets or vests—and are recognized for the numerous initiatives they’ve championed. These include hiring an on-site nurse practitioner, installing separated pedestrian walkways to prevent struck-by incidents, creating mental health–specific safety talks, hosting safety summits for supervisors, and instituting a digital employee and visitor management system to aid emergency response. Through these efforts, the JHSC members showed their dedication to improving policies, procedures, and practices, and forging a workplace culture where everyone participates in health and safety.

Maria (Filice) Mason Award of Excellence

Tracey Mooradian

Tracey has spent more than 20 years advancing health and safety as both a tradesperson and a manager of complex infrastructure projects. Her collaborative spirit and dedication to mentorship inspire her colleagues, while her tireless advocacy has driven continuous improvement in areas like workplace mental health, addiction awareness, and violence prevention. The award also recognizes Tracey’s leadership and contributions to many groups, including the Provincial Labour-Management Health and Safety Committee, Ontario General Contractors Association Safety Advisory Committee, Carpenters Trade Committee of the Labour-Management Network, and the League of Champions.

Ken Hellawell Transportation Safety Award

Tara Whiteman

Tara’s journey from a professional—and collision-free—driver to Safety and Compliance Manager at Kriska Holdings Ltd. exemplifies her commitment to excellence and leadership in the transportation industry. Throughout her career, spanning more than 25 years, Tara’s efforts have successfully improved accident prevention, driver training, and many other areas of Kriska’s operations, helping the company earn recognition as one of the safest trucking firms in Canada. A collaborative, communicative leader, she continues to make sure safety is a top priority across all departments—and among the professional drivers with whom she regularly works.

Roy A. Phinnemore Award

Glen Drewes

Glen was a passionate health and safety advocate throughout his more than three-decade career—first as a licensed construction and maintenance electrician, then in his work with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 402 and IBEW Construction Council of Ontario. An esteemed member of many committees, Glen was instrumental in advocating for legislative changes that reduced the risks workers are exposed to on construction projects. Those groups included the Provincial Labour-Management Health and Safety Committee, Construction Legislative Review Committee, and various trade/sector and regional committees of the Labour-Management Network. He also served on IHSA’s Board of Directors.

Industry Appreciation Recognition

Shirley Hickman

IHSA also honoured Shirley Hickman for her long-term efforts as a founding member and the first Executive Director of Threads of Life. Since starting the organization more than 20 years ago, Shirley has continued to inspire others with her strength, dedication, and compassion. Her work at the organization has changed the landscape of support for families across Canada and in other jurisdictions, and has significantly increased awareness of occupational health and safety.

Labour-Management co-chairs meeting

IHSA hosted the Labour Management Network’s annual co-chair committee meeting on October 3, 2024. Co-chairs of the provincial, regional, and trade and sector Labour-Management committees from across Ontario had the opportunity to connect and share ideas. Attendees discussed efficiencies related to the terms of reference, engagement, recruitment, and promotion strategies, while recognizing committee successes and achievements. Later, participants held a forum on key industry and network topics with Darrin Husack and Blair Allin, co-chairs of the Provincial Labour-Management Health and Safety Committee – Construction, and Brian Barron, Senior Manager from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development’s Construction Health and Safety Program. The discussion touched on topics such as advocacy for new training standards, the construction fatality review process with the Coroner’s Office, compliance campaigns, workplace culture, and health and safety complacency.