Our blog
The impact of a Threads of Life speaker
We know our Threads of Life volunteer speakers have impact. By sharing their personal experience of work-related fatality, life-altering injury or occupational disease, they are changing Canada’s workplace safety culture. And we often hear about the unforgettable message a speaker has left with an audience. This spring, after a presentation by one of our speakers, an audience member wrote a moving and poignant testimonial to the effect her story had on him. The writer agreed to share his words here, on the condition that it remain anonymous.
The ripples of a tribute donation
What is in the meaning behind the word ‘tribute’? Look it up and your will find a variety of meanings, often in reference to showing respect for someone you admire. We hear about paying tribute to actors during the academy awards. (Actually, I don’t watch the academy awards – perhaps that is one reason. I don’t know much about which actor played in what tv show or movie.)
When the worst happens: How to help families
We all live and strive for a day when work-related deaths, injuries and illnesses are gone; when everyone returns home from work just as healthy and whole as they were when they left. But until that day comes, tragedies continue to occur. It’s the worst thing most managers or health and safety professionals can imagine. If the worst does happen, the way the employer responds can play a surprisingly important role in the impact that tragedy has.
Bringing safety into focus on the farm
There are lots of honorary days and weeks to promote health and safety, but Farm Safety Week (March 11 – 17 this year) is the one closest to my heart. I’ve lived in farming areas since the age of four, and for the past 21 years my husband and I...
Make a friend; Be a friend – Join the Team Challenge!
What better way to mobilize and build your own support network than to get involved in the Team Challenge as part of Steps for Life – Walking for Families of Workplace Tragedy?
The Five Myths of Grief
Reprinted from the Summer 2012 newsletter Myth 1: Grief and mourning are the same thing. Myth 2: There is a predictable and orderly progression to the experience of grief. Myth 3: It is best to move away from grief and mourning than toward it. Myth 4: Tears...
Speakers ready to help change safety cultures
Threads of Life’s volunteer speakers are happy to help employers make that difference.
Volunteer Profile: Mary Lou Gormley
People choose to volunteer for a variety of reasons. For some it offers the opportunity to give something back to their community or make a difference to the people around them. For others, it provides a chance to develop new skills or build on existing experiences and knowledge. For our volunteer Mary Lou Gormley, both of these reasons are true.
Show the love – pay it forward through Steps for Life
“You don’t pay love back; you pay it forward.”
If you had to pay back all the people who have watched out for you or showed you kindness over your lifetime, where would you start? Your grandparents, your parents, the teachers who took their time, the neighbour or coach who helped you grow, the co-worker who kept you safe – you can never pay it all back, but fortunately you CAN pay it forward! And it’s time to get started!
Questions and comfort
Threads of Life family members have such talents! Here are two poems which express the longing for what might have been, and the comfort of family – both blood family, and the extended Threads of Life family.
Thoughtful citizens, changing the world
I recently had the opportunity to attend a Workplace Safety and Prevention Services conference in Thunder Bay. Partners in Prevention North brought together over 400 health and safety professionals for two days of learning and networking. As I stood at the display...
Remembering those whose workplace is the road
Outside my window the rain turns to snow and begins to gather on the grass and on the laneway. It’s high time I put the snow tires on my car, I think. We often think about road safety this time of year, when everyone on Canada’s roads is adjusting once again to...