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A true story for your health and safety event
Is your health and safety program looking for a boost or a change of pace? Personal testimony and shared experience is the most powerful and effective way to change attitudes and perceptions about health and safety.
“Elisa, I just wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU for your presentation on Monday. We’ve have had presenters/trainers in the past, but we’ve never had such positive feedback from everyone! One of our electricians said he didn’t really know what to expect but it really hit home for him. Thank you so much for sharing your story with our staff, it was certainly an eye opener for them. I hope that moving forward it will translate into safer work practices among our staff and summer students.”
Virtual Events
Traditionally, our volunteers have only been available for in-person presentations — that’s when their stories have the greatest impact. However, because of the pandemic restrictions, we now have a number of speakers ready to deliver their powerful safety presentations via Zoom, Teams, and other platforms. No matter how your workplace has been affected by the pandemic, health and safety is still important. Now you can bring a Threads of Life speaker to your event virtually. Contact us at [email protected] for more information.
50+ speakers ready to share their personal story
Members of the Speakers Bureau are volunteers from across Canada who have been personally affected by a life-altering workplace injury, fatality, or are living with an occupational disease. Their presentations are moving and unforgettable. Contact Threads of Life to find a speaker for your event: [email protected].
Alex Tuff – Alex’s brother Kris was a welder working in Labrador. He was inside a diesel tank on a truck, removing a baffle, when there was an explosion and he was killed. Alex and Kris were best buddies, so Alex talks about the devastating impact of his big brother’s death. His message focuses on the importance of asking questions when you’re not sure of a task.
David Collins – David and a co-worker, both 16, were finishing their shift at a P.E.I. resort and used the staff golf cart to deliver garbage to the dumpster. Unsupervised, they went for a joy-ride in the dark and David accidentally fell onto the ground. The driver couldn’t stop in time and hit David, breaking his back. He was instantly paralyzed from the waist down. David was told he would probably never walk again, but he persevered and within ten months was walking without assistance. Today, despite chronic pain and reduced mobility, David works full-time, and volunteers as much as he can in the community.
Donna Van Bruggen – Donna’s son David was refueling a forklift on his lunch break when it suddenly lurched forward. An upright strut struck him across the chest, pinning him to the edge of an open shed door. David was killed instantly, but wasn’t found by his co-workers for half an hour. Her presentation emphasizes how vital it is to remain aware of surroundings and alert to hazards.
A speaker shares her story of hope and healing after a workplace tragedy
Erin Pitruzzella’s husband was struck and killed by a dump truck while he was working for a paving company. Erin talks about how Leo’s death has affected her, and her two young children, now teenagers. She now shares her story as a Threads of Life speaker, to try to prevent further work-related tragedies.
What do clients have to say?
In their own words — Feedback from clients.
How the program works
1. The right speaker
Contact us with the date and theme for your event and we will work with you to find a speaker who can provide the ideal story and a powerful message for your audience. We can usually suggest a speaker from your province or region.
2. The arrangements
Our staff will coordinate everything with you – travel arrangements, audio-visual – everything.
3. The costs
Threads of Life speakers are volunteers who dedicate their time on the understanding that a donation will be made to Threads of Life. As Threads of Life staff work with you we will discuss a donation amount. You are also asked to cover the expenses to bring the speaker to your event.
Please note: Due to the emotionally demanding nature of our speakers’ presentations, requests for multiple presentations (to cover various shifts, etc.) require special consideration, and are not possible for all our of speakers.
Are you a Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) certificant?
Gain half a point towards re-certification by hearing a Threads of Life volunteer speaker presentation! If you’ve recently heard one of our volunteer speakers share their story, use the form linked below to request the half point toward your next BCRSP re-certification.
And if you’d like to book a speaker with Threads of Life, please send us an email at speakersbureau@threadsoflife – we’d welcome the opportunity!
