2025 Speakers

Karl Brysch, Session 2B: Ergonomics in the Office: What Safety Committees Need to Know

Bio to Follow

Cathy Cook, Safe Harbour Consulting: Session 3C: Turning Dysfuction Into Direction: Fixing Struggling Safety Committees

Bio to Follow

Terri Downton, Employers Advisor at Ministry of Labour,  Session 3B: Getting Action on Safety Committee Recommendations

I have been a part of the Occupational Health & Safety community since 1988 with my first Industrial First Aid certificate.  I went on to a variety of different industries as a first aid attendant including manufacturing and construction.  In 1990 I began instructing first aid courses of different levels but primarily the WSBC Industrial First Aid (later Occupational levels 1-3).  I was never one that could separate the injury from the ‘how and why’ it happened which led to learning, instructing, and facilitating health & safety courses as well.

I was a Health & Safety Coordinator at two manufacturing companies prior to joining the Employers’ Advisers Office in 2008.  At the EAO we provide advice, assistance, representation, and education to the employers of BC on WorkSafeBC matters.  I have a certificate in Occupational Health & Safety through Simon Fraser University and continue to educate myself through formal education and experience.

Throughout my career I have been a member, chaired, participated and been a guest at a number of  Joint Committee Meetings.  This allows me to share what works and doesn’t work for joint committees and their recommendations.

David Dunham.  Opening Keynote: Think Before You Prompt: Artificial Intelligence in the Real Safety World

David Dunham is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional and contributing author for the Construction Industry AI newsletter, where he authors the “Jobsite Safety” column. With extensive experience on major infrastructure projects, David is recognized for his leadership in applying artificial intelligence to real-world safety challenges.

David’s writing explores the evolution of AI safety advice, contextualized learning, and the practical distinction between automation and augmentation in construction environments. He is committed to moving beyond the hype, offering safety professionals clear, actionable guidance on integrating AI tools to improve safety outcomes.

As an advocate for a “Think Before You Prompt” philosophy, David demonstrates how safety professionals can leverage AI to enhance their capabilities and impact. He has used AI to design and deliver training courses, develop software applications, and create innovative safety solutions that push the boundaries of traditional practice. As both a practitioner and thought leader, David bridges the gap between technological potential and workplace reality, demonstrating how AI can redefine what is possible for today’s safety professionals.

Isabel Krueger CRSP(NP),    Session 1A: Incident Investigations for Safety Committees

Isabel is the owner of Safety Matters an occupational safety and health consulting firm. She is a well-known and experienced safety professional with many years of OSH experience. She has presented at the National Safety Congress in the USA, the Western Conference on Safety, The BC Municipal Occupational Health and Safety Conference and numerous other prominent safety events. She is a recipient of the National Safety Council’s Distinguished Service to Safety award (DSSA)

Laurie Lowes, Session 1B: An Intro to Mental health First Aid for Safety Committees

Glenn Russell, Industry & Program Specialist, Prevention Programs & Service Department, WorkSafeBC.  Session 2C: WorkSafeBC Resources for Safety Committees

BCIT Diploma Occupational Health and Safety – 2 years,  YVR Health and Safety Advisor – Winter Olympic Expansion – 3 years – 2 Billion in industrial construction, Nassau Bahamas, Demolish and Rebuild International and Domestic Terminal – 3 years, WorkSafeBC – Occupational Safety Officer – 10 years,  WorkSafeBC – Industry and Program Specialist – 3 years

Tanya Steele, Session 7B: Rejuvenating Your Safety Committee & Session 3A: JOHSC Role & Responsibilities in Writing & Reviewing Your Organizations OHS Programs

Tanya Steele is a trainer, safety advisor, author, emcee and Podcast Host of Safety Debris. Utilizing her experience in business, construction, mining, tourism, municipal and the film industry, she helps owners, supervisors, JOHSC members and HR leaders simplify safety. “Safety should make sense”. Tanya is known as an expert in Joint Health & Safety Committees. She specializes in educating and helping committees rejuvenate their meetings to become more effective and collaborative. In 2018 she started “What If One Educates Ltd.” to train other leaders on how to train their workers more effectively, with the concept that one person can make a difference in one person’s life and possibly save that life. She’s been interviewed for the Journal of Commerce, Canadian Occupational Safety Magazine, published in the BC/Alberta Construction Magazine and co-author of the book “Trail Blazers”. Over the years she has held several board positions such as Regional VP of the CSSE BC & Yukon, President of Health Safety & Week (NAOSH), and is currently the President for the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPSBC).