In celebration of International Women’s Day, we spoke to female safety pros about women’s importance in the health and safety profession and advice they would give to young women entering the field today.

Lisa McGuire, President and CEO | Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC

What led you to pursue a career in health and safety?

My passion for pursuing a health and safety path was driven by experiencing a transformational cultural change at a workplace that inspired me to achieve this goal in every workplace.

Why is it important that women are part of the health and safety profession in Canada? 

Gender imbalance exists in the health and safety profession, and we need to change it. At the very foundation of health and safety is  “the care and protection of people.” Women have a deep connection and alignment with these foundational values, adding a critical dimension to the profession.

What advice would you give to a young woman starting an OHS career? 

Embody “care and compassion” in health and safety risk management’s complex decisions, and you will bring all employee levels with you. The “how” you apply risk management processes matters, and you must take the time to translate the information to meet others’ needs to make a sustainable difference.

Maureen Shaw, Advisor | Executive Health and Safety Council of BC

What led you to pursue a career in health and safety?

Mine is not a traditional story. Many of us are influenced by periods or events in our lives that impact our journey, whether we recognize it at the time or not. I was born in Victoria, and after WW2, my parents moved to Chemainus – a small single-industry town in central Vancouver Island.

My childhood memories are filled with experiences of strikes by the IWA workers at the mill. They struck for working conditions and fair pay. It seemed to my young self this was a constant in our lives. Critical injuries in the mill were just a part of our lives. When there was a critical injury, the screeching siren at the mill would sound, and everyone sat still wondering who it was. That was a foundation. I recall feeling sick, hated the violence and was determined to leave it behind.

Fast forward to being a mother of two beautiful children and a wife, living in the Foothills of the Rockies west of Calgary.  I was always taking up a cause in our beautiful community of Bragg Creek. At that time, I was appointed to the Tripartite Occupational Health & Safety Council of Alberta (the first woman on the board and the first woman Chair), where I spent six years advising the Minster responsible for OHS and Workers Compensation. Subsequently, I was appointed by the Government of Canada to Chair the Council of Governors of the Canadian Center for Occupational Health & Safety. Again, I was the first woman to Chair this 38-member Tripartite Council of Governors….and another 25 years of having the opportunity to influence policy and improvements in our workplaces and communities.

I also had personal experience along this journey when I began my tenure as the CEO of the Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA), now the WSPS in Toronto. Our son Marc was critically injured by a dynamite explosion while undertaking natural gas exploration in the Western slopes of the Rockies. Marc spent months in hospital, over 20 operations, over 2 years in and out of the hospital, culminating in the loss of his leg. I learned firsthand the consequences of poor leadership and health and safety practices. I understand and share the emotional pain of the thousands of injury survivors and their families.

Marc inspired us with his resilience, his determination to be able to walk again and to go to college and make a difference. He became a member of Canada’s 2008 Paralympic sailing team

Why is it important that women are part of the health and safety profession in Canada? 

It is important for women to be involved and be leaders in all aspects of our society.  And the health and safety of our workplaces need the skills, values and beliefs we bring to society.

When I began in health and safety, the profession was primarily made up of engineers, with very few, if any, women. I found I was nearly always the “first” and surrounded by men. We brought a caring and sensitivity that ensured a greater balance to our discipline and approaches to prevention. Through the years, we have been instrumental in areas such as mental health and wellness, work/life balance, industrial hygiene. As women began to take on broader roles and were at the decision table, I saw much better decisions being made in policy and prevention strategies.  We began to see management systems include what were once seen as ‘softer issues’ and integration into all parts of organizations.  Women were most often the leaders to bring this wider vision to the table and to make it happen.  We still are today, and younger women will continue to make the difference. Women tend to be determined, to stick to the goals they set, we make things happen.

What advice would you give to a young woman starting an OHS career? 

Pursue a broader liberal arts education and then specialties. Understanding areas such as governance and business will be very useful in leading and building strategies for healthy workplaces. We need people who are able to see beyond the lines, that have a vision and broad perspective. Health and safety is about people first. Women are good at seeing the big picture, are generally empathetic, and good at consensus building and communicating.

Don’t be shy about using your inherent skills to bring about consensus, to build high-performing teams, and to risk going doing things in ways that have not been done before. Be willing to bring others along and mentor even early on in your career.

Anything else you would like to share about being a woman in the health and safety field? 

Always look to opportunities – you never know where a door will open to. (I am evidence of this). Have a personal plan and goals but remember to trust your inert and trained sense. While in my early days we were creating new paths, today we are about building on the paths and looking for new roads to a future where all workplaces are healthy places for all people and are respectful and diverse places.  By being respectful, caring – balanced with technical and business skills, we will bring about the workplaces we all want to work in. You go for it, girl! Together we will make a difference!

Natalia Mozayani, President and CEO | Radiation Safety Institute of Canada

What led you to pursue a career in health and safety?

As it often happens in life, not everything we do is by design. Before joining the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada, I have not considered embarking on a health and safety career path. Instead, my focus had been on international development and humanitarian response.

Before moving to Canada in 2018 I was part of the Stockholm UN High Commissioner for Refugees team. An opportunity opened up with the Institute in 2019. It was not a management position. The President and CEO at the time, the late Dr. Fergal Nolan, was looking for an Executive Assistant. It was not my dream career move, but I was new to Canada, I wanted to contribute to my new country, and I had a feeling, you know that “sixth sense” that it was going to go somewhere.

The rest is history. I have now been calling the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada my home for the past 11 years. I don’t think you can work in the health and safety field and not care about the outcome. Beyond regulatory compliance and standards, it is centered on an acutely human experience: lives lost or changed by workplace incidents.

Making sure that everyone comes home from work safely, is our goal. I felt this passion for safety in everyone I met along the way, from RSIC Board members to staff, to the Institute’s partner organizations, It is this passion that has been an inspiration to me over the years. I am honored to lead this Institute and to have been given the opportunity to build a career with this exceptional organization.

Why is it important that women are part of the health and safety profession in Canada? 

Gender diversity is important in any field. Research shows that women bring to the table another perspective, way of thinking, different problem-solving approaches.  In the 21st century, we cannot expect to successfully grow, innovate, and make a difference without a diverse workforce.

It is especially pronounced in the health and safety field, where our success is not measured in quarter revenue figures but in the impact on human life. It is here we need the best ideas, new and ever-changing solutions, commitment to the common mission, and a lot of heart.  I believe women have this unique capacity to transcend the traditional workplace safety paradigm and, being exceptionally professional about it, come into the field with genuine care, empathy and warmth.

What advice would you give to a young woman starting an OHS career? 

Go for it. A health and safety career path does not have to be linear. You may start in one function or specialization and end up somewhere else. Just take the journey. You may not know at the start where it leads you, but I have not to doubt that it will be the most rewarding experience in your work-life. My own journey took me from an Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of the Institute. On this path, which was not always easy, I feel I have been given the opportunity,  respect, and support.  While there is still a lot to be done, I believe that the health and safety industry is one where female voices are more readily heard and talents are recognized.  As a woman, an immigrant, and a working mother, I consider myself lucky to have had this journey.”

Anything else you would like to share about being a woman in the health and safety field? 

On March 8th, we usually reflect on our stride for equality and honour the great female heroes who pathed the way for us to enjoy the opportunities we have today. I would like to take this chance to celebrate all women in health and safety and beyond for the miracles, big and small, that they accomplish daily. We are stronger when we lift each other up. I am forever grateful for the resilient, intelligent, and loving women I have the honour to call friends and colleagues. I want to wish you all a happy International Women’s Day.

Rosa Diaz, Training and Development Manager | Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC

What led you to pursue a career in health and safety? 

In my early teens, my dad was injured at work as a passenger in a motor vehicle accident. I witnessed how this accident impacted his health, his employment, and our family life. It left a long-lasting effect on me to the point where I decided to leverage my education and various work experiences towards a career in health and safety – to make a difference.

Why is it important for women to be represented in the health and safety profession in Canada? 

The increasing representation of women in all industries makes it important for women to be equally represented in the OHS profession. Diversity brings strength to the profession.

What advice would you give to a young woman starting an OHS career? 

Stand your ground, don’t hesitate to speak up, and listen to workers at risk. Remember, someone’s wellbeing and safety may depend on it.

Analyze the data available to you to identify the needs and establish achievable goals. Learn as much as you can about the OHS focus areas within your industry because workers, supervisors and employers rely on your recommendations to support their due diligence.

Era Poddar, Specialist Safety Advisor – Ergonomics | Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC

What led you to pursue a career in health and safety?

Being in the profession of HFE (Human Factors and Ergonomics) it’s a natural choice to be in health and safety. It allows me to influence decision-makers as well as employees to follow the best practices to be safe at the workplace and beyond.

Why is it important for women to be represented in the health and safety profession in Canada?

Women bring a third dimension in resolving any conflicting situation with inherent empathy. Hence women’s participation is of utmost importance especially in leadership roles to embrace a health and safety culture.

What advice would you give to a young woman starting an OHS career?

Give yourself time to be well trained. Be observant and patient; most importantly be empathetic and try to listen more.

Anything else you would like to share about being a woman in the health and safety field?

Would like to see more women leaders on both sides of safety.

Anything else you would like to share about being a woman in the health and safety field? 

In today’s society, it’s an uphill battle to prioritize health and safety in the workplace. A battle that both men and women are well equipped to handle, from slightly different perspectives perhaps. But, they can reach the same goal: worker wellbeing and safety. So, kudos to all the men and women who are up for the challenge!

Join us in celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8^th and recognizing the extraordinary women that are helping to make Canada a safer place for workers every day.