Safety and Health Week
Lorna Sayer, Cindy Upton, Sheri McPhee, Lucie Blench, Jill Nimmo, Caroline Desrochers. Missing from the photo are Monique Lloyd and Joanne Smith.
Safety and Health Week is May 5-9! Thank you to our amazing Health and Safety team for your dedication, expertise, and care. Your work helps create a safer, healthier workplace for everyone.
Team Achievements in 2024/25... to name a few:
Reviewed, monitored and reported on 442 Employee Events/RLs
Conducted Noise assessments in 5 departments
Finalized Violence Risk Assessments for 2 departments
Completed Initial Health Assessments for all 387 new employees
Supported over 600 employee cases to facilitate their successful return to work
In their own words – here’s what our Occ Health Team have to say. What attracted you to working in occupational health and safety? What do you like most about your work?
I discovered my passion for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) early in my career, inspired by mentors and my nurse mother’s experiences. Over 20 years, I've focused on keeping healthcare workers safe, from monitoring incident data and supporting the JOHSC to leading Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training. I love the collaboration and feel grateful to work alongside such a kind, compassionate OHSS team every day! - Joanne Smith, Safety Coordinator
My interest in Occupational Health Nursing began when I learned about workplace nurses through my husband’s job at Nortel and while working with Dr. Melanie Pratt in occupational allergies. I pursued further education and started my career at JDS Uniphase, gaining valuable experience in health and safety. Every day in Occupational Health is different, from case managing injuries to arranging modified work. I love supporting people through challenging times and helping them safely return to work. - Monique Lloyd, Occupational Health Nurse
After experiencing a work injury at a time when workplace safety was poorly supported, I was inspired to pursue Occupational Health and Safety to help create safer workplaces. Every day is different, involving a mix of project work, addressing issues, supporting stakeholders, reviewing incidents, and improving resources. I love the opportunity to build and improve systems, develop training, and provide education and coaching to help make a real difference for workers. - Cindy Upton, Safety Officer
My path to Occupational Health and Safety grew from my background in physiotherapy and seeing the need to better connect workers, employers, and healthcare teams. Joining OHSS allowed me to build return-to-work and injury prevention programs from the ground up. Every day is different, filled with case management, ergonomic assessments, and supporting employees. I love the teamwork, the challenges, and the chance to positively impact workers’ recoveries while advancing a rewarding, evolving career path. - Lucie Blench, Employee Injury Prevention Consultant
I’ve had the pleasure of working with this incredible team for more than 10 years, and I’m truly grateful for their unwavering support of employee health and safety, their unparalleled nonjudgmental approach to employee wellbeing, and their passion and dedication to QCH staff and patients. Their unique personalities, expert knowledge, and professionalism make them stand out, along with their leadership in promoting best practices across the region. They have also built strong, respectful relationships with both the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee and the Ministry of Labour, strengthening our commitment to a safe and healthy workplace. – Jill Nimmo