Safety is not Proprietary

When I first joined the LOC and OGCA, I spent a lot of time reflecting on these four words and what they really meant. I joined the team after a decade in a very competitive industry, where everyone simply wanted to be ‘the first’. I quickly learned that we are all on a journey, and what matters most with Safety is that you get there. You don’t have to be first, but you do need to make the commitment and put in the work, however long it may take.

I had been with the League for just over three months heading into last December, and to be completely honest, until that time, I never once doubted my abilities to grow the League and to become a valuable resource and support for our members. During December, I didn’t know if I had the ability to be that person. I spoke with many of our members and shed countless tears for the tragedies that took place across our industry.

Fast forward one year to December 2021. In the past year, the LOC has grown by leaps and bounds, and we have worked very hard to build relationships with our Champions.

This week, I have been presented with the tremendous opportunity to spend time with our members at GFL Infrastructure Group to participate in their “Home Safe for the Holidays” Campaign. For the past three years, the team at GFL has promoted this campaign internally for their staff. This year, they are aiming to expand its reach by taking this campaign on site for all industry partners to participate. We are very proud to be able to attend their Safety Stand Downs all week, representing the League of Champions.

In my opinion, this is a solid example of Safety not being Proprietary. Their jobsites will come to a standstill, and every worker will join and take time to regroup, and be asked to remind themselves what’s important, to focus on working as a team, and to look out for each other to make sure everyone gets home safe this holiday season.

December 2020 will always be a reminder to me of what can happen. It only takes the blink of an eye. This is why I am challenging every person reading this to commit and take the pledge this December! Over the coming weeks, I strongly encourage everyone to have a stand down for safety and show your teams that Safety Is Not Proprietary and take the following pledge:

I PLEDGE TO NEVER COMPROMISE MY SAFETY OR THE SAFETY OF MY FELLOW WORKERS, TO ENSURE WE ALL GET HOME SAFE.

Together, we can make this an annual industry wide campaign!

We welcome everyone to share your photos, and tag @theLOChampions, 
and use the hashtag #GFLHOMESAFE