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TOP WOMEN IN SAFETY 2021
BUSINESS STRATEGY
SPECIAL REPORT
TWENTY-TWENTY was a uniquely difficult year for
health and safety professionals. It has been said before,
but it bears mentioning again given the industry-
changing ramifications of the pandemic.
"It's definitely been an interesting time. I do think
that the value of the [OHS] professional has gone up
significantly in 2021. There has been increasing focus on
professionalizing the role," says Denise Howitt, manager,
EHS Systems and Compliance, University of Calgary.
"And I think COVID has increased awareness of the
value of what a health and safety professional brings to
an organization in terms of protecting their employees,
not only from COVID and other illness-related issues,
but just generally in terms of anticipating other issues
that might come up."
The health and safety sector is not new to change by
Nevertheless, it is also a profession that has for many
years been quite male-dominated. But this is something
that is, thankfully, starting to change.
"Being a woman in safety in 2021 has become very
rewarding. The challenges I faced at the beginning of
my career have since faded and become fewer and far
between. I feel the workplace climate as far as gender
roles has changed, allowing women to showcase their
talents… This has been true for me," says Mary Strazzeri,
president, Safety First Consulting.
Allowing for more women to enter the profession
does not mean that there need to be fewer men. It
means that women need to be empowered with the right
tools that will allow them to do their jobs to the best of
their abilities — and this is something that still needs to
improve.
"I'd like to feel that things are changing … I'd like
to think that gender plays no role. It can; however, I
have been able to navigate a career in health and safety
where my gender didn't seem to play much of a role.
People want to be listened to, understood and helped,"
says Jillian Pacheco, Regional EHS manager, Canadian
Service Operations, Eaton Electrical Sector.
"I think people are progressing as a society. There
TOP WOMEN IN SAFETY:
(Safely) shattering the
glass ceiling
"Being a woman in safety in 2021 has become
very rewarding. The challenges I faced at the
beginning of my career have since faded and
become fewer and far between."
Mary Strazzeri, Safety First
The 2021 Women in Safety summit took place on March 9 this year
600+ attendees took part in the day's proceedings
25 speakers (men and women) were part of panels, breakout sessions
and keynote speeches
Two of the most popular panels covered PPE in a pandemic and
mentorship
The event contained 5.5 technical hours and may be eligible for
BCRSP CPD points
WOMEN IN SAFETY SUMMIT 2021
any means. By the very nature of what OHS entails,
it's a sector that is in constant flux due to the ever-
evolving nature of workplace dangers in Canada.
Occupational safety is a profession that is inherently
built to evolve.
