Carolyn Sim shares how a devastating workplace tragedy changed her life forever.

Don’t take our word for it. Below are just a few of the dozens of testimonials we’ve received over the years.

We wanted to take this opportunity to thank you so much, once again, for helping to arrange our guest speaker, Johanna LeRoux. Johanna was such a pleasure to meet, and her presentation was so moving and informative to our students who are heading out to placements soon, and many of whom are already working. We are hoping to continue our partnership with you and would welcome a return visit from Johanna.

– Mika Damianos, Co-op teacher, Yorkdale Secondary School

It is different to hear the story from someone who has been directly affected by a work place tragedy rather than someone who has not. Makes you re-think about working safely to make sure you always come home safe to your family because you saw how devastating it can be when someone does not.

– Audience member, Alberta 2016

When I first found out the speaker was so young I wondered – How can she have any life experience to talk to 100 construction workers?  Will my guys respect her and listen? Well, she is an inspiring young lady. I felt her pain and the pain of her family. She kept everyone engaged with every word she said.  I have never seen so many men (and a few women) so quiet. You could hear a pin drop. She impacted their lives more then they were expecting.

– Deb Henhoeffer Health & Safety Coordinator Melloul-Blamey Construction Inc.

Most of the time, you just hear about these incidents through the news or through social media and then after a few days you may never hear about it again. When you hear the stories about the aftermath of the incidents and see how years later, the families are still trying to cope with the loss, that really sticks with you and definitely makes you think twice before doing something unsafely, and not only to not have yourself injured, but what the effects would have on your family.

– Monica St. Croix, Office Assistant Safety and Security, Halifax Water Commission

Katie’s presentation reinforced the reality and gravity of workplace fatalities.  While we are a very safety conscious organization, she helped remind us that our daily actions can all have an effect on prevention. Katie helped give us a glimpse of what the effect is to lose a loved one, and how that has permanent consequences for the surviving family.

– Nate Glubish, Director of Corporate Development, NCSG Crane and Heavy Haul Services

Our industry has recently been focusing on the “on road” side of our business. Debbie’s presentation reinforced the fact that life is fragile and that anything can happen at any moment. Hard hitting, honest and to the point. Debbie held nothing back. I could not believe how quiet and engaged the audience was.

– Patrick Solomon, Chair, Concrete Ontario