Agenda
Delegate Check-In
8:00 a.m. Delegates can check in between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
Tea/Coffee will be available!
Conference Opening
8:30 a.m. Conference Opening & Welcome
Welcome Cherie Whelan, CEO, NLCSA
WorkplaceNL Update
8:45 a.m. Cathy Whiffen, WorkpaceNL
Cathy Whiffen
Cathy has over 25 years of experience as a health and safety and disability management professional. She co-authored a high school textbook, Building a Safer Tomorrow, which is used in the Newfoundland and Labrador High School Safety course OHS 3203. She is the business lead for multiple projects at WorkplaceNL including the revision to PRIME, WorkplaceNL’s incentive program. She is also WorkplaceNL’s representative on the NLCSA Board of Directors.
In addition to formal education in the fields of health and safety, disability management and post-secondary education, she holds two health and safety designations; CRSP and CHSC and a Return-to-Work designation; CRTWC.
Cathy joined WorkplaceNL in 2007 as a Senior Health and Safety Advisor and moved into the Manager, Prevention Services role in 2010. She is currently a Senior Manager with Prevention Services.
Cathy is an avid learner, who is currently completing studies in psychological health and safety and enjoys baking and reading in her spare time.
Join Cathy Whiffen, Senior Manager of Prevention Services with WorkplaceNL as she provides delegates with an update on:
- WorkplaceNL strategic priorities
- Current injury trends in the construction industry
- Joint initiatives and industry collaboration
First Things First: Making Time for What Matters in Safety
9:20 a.m. Heather Stamp, Senior Advisor, People and Culture, MC Advisory
Heather Stamp
With over two decades of progressive HR and organizational development experience, Heather is well-respected for her ability in partnering with boards, leaders, and team members to untangle complex people challenges. She is a trusted advisor to C-level decision makers across private and public organizations of all sizes and industries. With a specific focus on board governance and organizational strategy, conflict resolution and workplace restoration, leadership and team development, executive coaching, and group facilitation, Heather is best known for being able to identify and diagnose an organization’s root people and culture issues and determine the best plan for intervention. An experienced facilitator, Heather has led innovative leadership development initiatives that have proven to strengthen organizational cultures while driving sustainable growth. She is a catalyst of change recognized for successfully initiating and overseeing major transformations, developing high-performing teams and leaders, and providing clarity amidst chaos for multiple stakeholders across complex organizations.
Heather is an instructor in the Marine Studies Master’s Program in the School of Ocean Technology at Memorial University’s Fisheries and Marine Institute, as well as a frequent instructor in the Centre for Higher Education Research and Development Program at the University of Manitoba.
A serial volunteer, Heather currently serves on the boards of CAA, MusicNL, SJSEL, and the ADR Atlantic Institute. She has served on other boards at the provincial and national level including St. John’s Board of Trade, ICF Atlantic,the Canadian Association for University Continuing Education and TaskForceNL.
In the fast-paced world of safety management, it’s easy to get buried in urgent tasks and reactive firefighting. But what if the key to real impact lies in doing less—more intentionally? This session introduces the “Big Rocks” theory of time management, helping safety professionals identify and prioritize the foundational tasks that drive meaningful change. Through practical strategies and real-world examples, attendees will learn how to:
- Distinguish between urgent and important tasks
- Align daily actions with strategic safety goals
- Use time-blocking and planning tools to stay focused
- Build habits that support proactive safety leadership
Whether you’re managing a team or leading initiatives, this session will help you reclaim your time and refocus your energy on what truly matters.
Networking Break
The Safety Shift: Breaking the 'It Won't Happen to Me' Myth
10:45 a.m. Keynote Session – Kevin Rempel, Paralympian, Author
Kevin Rempel
Kevin Rempel loves changing lives. Through powerful keynotes, Kevin has a passion for helping others see a different perspective towards workplace safety.
After being paralyzed at the age of 23 in a motocross accident, Kevin not only learned how to walk again, but overcame the mental battle of depression, addiction and living with a disability to rebuild his life, eventually reaching the podium as a Paralympic Bronze medalist in Sledge Hockey.
Additionally, Kevin also shares his experience about his father’s hunting accident which left both paralyzed, side by side with spinal cord injuries, each choosing two completely different roads.
Both accidents were preventable, and lessons can be drawn upon to help employees recognize when to listen to their inner voice, become comfortable speaking up when seeing something unsafe, and practice personal accountability towards workplace safety. These insights encourage organizations to create a culture of psychological safety where speaking up about mental health, physical health, and workplace safety is welcomed and encouraged.
Workplace safety is something we all know is important, but how often do we push it to the back of our minds? Thinking, “That won’t happen to me,” can be a trap. Drawing from personal tales of accidents that changed lives forever, this presentation seeks to shine a light on the real impact of overlooking safety measures. By sharing true stories of two catastrophic, life altering accidents which were both preventable and learned the hard way, Kevin challenges the common belief that accidents are things that happen to “other people.”
Join Kevin as we:
1. Explore why we often ignore safety risks, even when we know they’re there
2. Understand the lasting impact of accidents on individuals, families, and workplaces
3. Learn actionable strategies to foster a culture where safety isn’t an afterthought but a priority
4. Empower employees to take active responsibility for their surroundings, leading to fewer accidents and a healthier workplace
5. Realize the importance of shared stories and experiences in promoting a safety-first mentality
Lunch
11:45 p.m.
A hot lunch will be provided.
Hardwiring The Brain for Safety Habits: Building Safety Basics With New Workers
12:30 p.m. Jess Chapman, Founder/CEO, ethree
Jess Chapman
Hailing from Great Britain, Jess has worked in the UK, France and Canada and has held senior positions in organizational performance and effectiveness, HR, talent management, learning and development, employee engagement and change management.
With a background in organizational performance, learning and development and HR and with education in both business and the many facets of people, Jess has a unique combination of skills and experience that lends itself to the development of people and organizations.
Jess has a degree in European Business and French from The Nottingham Trent University in the UK and a management diploma from the Institut de Management Européen des Affaires in France. She is certified in Change Management from PROSCI and has a Certificate in the Foundations of Neuroscience and Brain Based Coaching from the Neuroleadership Institute in the US. Jess is accredited in a number of business and psychometric assessments that support organisational and individual development including DiSC, MBTI, Thomas Kilman Conflict Assessment, Work Personality Index and others.
While working in industry, Jess developed strategy to drive performance, engagement, and learning, supported culture change initiatives, developed trainers and facilitators, personally delivered training to over 300 managers and senior leaders, provided 1:1 coaching support at all levels of leadership from CEO to the front line, and spoke at numerous conferences on topics related to people development and effective workplaces.
Jess started Ethree Consulting, an organizational effectiveness consulting firm, in 2013. As Principal, she specializes in helping organisations develop strategy, lead change, increase engagement levels, drive performance of the workforce, improve leadership and professional skills and build teams. She has worked with, or delivered solutions for, organizations in the financial services, hospitality, fast moving consumer goods, oil & gas, mining, government, healthcare, and not-for-profit sectors. She continues to leverage her experience as a senior leader, her skills in facilitation and feedback, and her passion for people helping her clients solve complex problems and advance their organizations.
Known for her ability to combine creativity and expertise into a practical solution for clients, ethree works with many organizations to build strong and effective workforces. Jess was awarded the 2022 NLOWE Award for business mentoring and her podcast ‘Unlocking Your People’ ranked 7th of all management podcasts in Canada when launched in 2018 and has been rebooted for 2025. Working with Jess and ethree is “a phenomenal experience” according to her clients.
Employees, especially new ones, are not necessarily “safety aware.” Many younger or newer workers are entering construction without instinctive knowledge of risks, without the muscle memory for safe behaviours, and with different learning styles than previous generations. That’s not a failure—it’s a brain science issue. This session explores how safety habits are formed in the brain, why new workers often default to unsafe actions (even after training), and how leaders and experienced crews can build strong habits from day one. You’ll learn how to create cues, repeat key behaviours, and reinforce the right routines in a way that actually sticks.
In this hands-on session, delegates will apply proven behavioural science tools—the Habit Loop, SCARF Model, and Friction Test—to a real safety behaviour they want to reinforce in their workplace. Through a guided exercise, participants will identify strategies to positively shape habits, reduce barriers, and create conditions that support consistent, safe actions. Attendees will leave with practical tools and a personalized action plan they can immediately use to strengthen safety behaviours on the job.
Treading Safely: Emergency Planning for Working Near Water
1:35 p.m. Colin LeGrow, Owner/President, Technical Rope & Rescue
Colin LeGrow
Colin LeGrow is the owner and operator of Technical Rope & Rescue Inc., where he helps clients safely navigate challenging work environments such as at height, in confined spaces, or in remote wilderness settings. With more than 25 years of experience, Colin is an instructor in fall protection, confined space entry, and high-angle rescue. He is also an active contributor to industry safety standards, participating with organizations such as International Technical Rescue Association, Canadian Standards Association, Structures Towers & Antenna Council, and the National Fire Protection Association.
Outside of work, he is a member of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Rovers Ground Search & Rescue Team, which combines his professional knowledge with volunteer service. Beyond this, and above all, he values time spent with his family, outdoor adventure on land or sea, and hiking with his two Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
Working near water presents unique safety challenges—especially in construction settings like bridgework and shoreline projects. In this session, Colin LeGrow will walk delegates through key considerations for conducting risk assessments and developing effective rescue plans in and around water. Drawing on decades of experience in technical rescue and safety instruction, Colin will share practical insights and tools to help teams prepare for the unexpected and protect workers in high-risk environments.
Networking Break
2:15 p.m.
Safety at a Distance: Panel Discussion on Remote Work Environments
2:30 p.m. Panel Discussion
Remote and isolated worksites are a growing reality in Newfoundland and Labrador’s construction industry. This panel brings together experienced industry professionals to explore the unique challenges of managing remote construction teams. From communication and emergency response planning to mobilization logistics and supporting worker well-being, including mental health, panelists will share real-world experiences and best practices. Join the conversation to gain practical insights and strategies for improving safety, efficiency, and team resilience in remote work environments.
Heavy Equipment, High Stakes!
3:15 p.m. Craig Hannam & Lou Lawrence – Co-Founders, Veristart
Unauthorized access to heavy equipment poses serious safety risks and operational challenges on construction sites. In this session, Craig Hannam and Lou Lawrence of Veristart will explore the hazards associated with unsecured machinery and share key considerations for improving site safety—especially in remote or high-traffic environments. Attendees will learn how better planning, access control, and technology can reduce risk, prevent misuse, and support compliance. The session will also introduce Veristart’s innovative cloud-based equipment access control system, designed to give operators real-time control over who can use their equipment, helping ensure only trained and authorized personnel are behind the controls.
Closing
3:45 p.m.
Cherie Whelan, CEO, NLCSA
