My Story: Jade Nelson

As a safety professional, I can attest to the fact that choosing safety as a career is one of the most fulfilling decisions you can make. For me, my love for safety started more than 15 years ago when I joined a safety team at work. I was rather bored and went to the meeting seeking a challenge. Lo and behold, I found one! Falling in love with safety was accidental, but I discovered my purpose and felt passionate about it.

This passion for safety continued to grow as I accepted different job roles and progressed in my career. I noticed a massive gap as a result of operations and safety not being on the same page. Operations would focus on operations and safety would focus on safety. Classic story, but at some point, the story must evolve. I consider myself to be pleasantly disruptive when it comes to safety. If the old way of doing things is not working, simply stop doing things the old way. For example, during the warmer months, instead of simply putting up signs as reminders for workers to stay hydrated, I innovatively introduced “hydration stations.” At these stations, individuals had the choice of refreshing themselves with regular water or coconut water, with the added option of enhancing their drink by including garnishes such as mint leaves or strawberries. This initiative was incredibly well received and, as a safety professional, it was truly gratifying to witness so many people actively participating and staying hydrated.

Additionally, I developed safety-themed escape rooms as part of my safety training programs. In these escape rooms, participants had to locate and interpret Safety Data Sheets to uncover the next clue and accurately identify site-specific safety protocols. This unique approach also garnered enthusiastic engagement and proved to be a highly successful endeavor. My background in operations management and continuous improvement has positively impacted me as a safety pro because it drives me to always think outside of the box.

In my journey toward enhancing safety, I took a significant step by becoming an authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer for General Industry. This achievement has not only enriched my knowledge, but also empowered me to educate and train others in the field of safety.

Believing in the importance of active participation in organizations that prioritize safety and health, I joined the Young Professional’s Division within the National Safety Council. The benefits have been amazing. This group, tailored for safety professionals under 45, places a strong emphasis on networking, training and providing valuable resources to improve safety results in all environments. Through this division, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, share ideas and stay updated on the latest industry trends. I highly recommend joining a division within NSC!

Furthermore, I am actively working on raising awareness about the safe handling and transportation of dangerous goods as a dangerous goods trainer. This role has allowed me to contribute to the safety of our communities and the environment. I believe that educating people about the potential hazards and risks associated with dangerous goods is crucial for preventing accidents and protecting lives.

I invite you to reach out to me on LinkedIn to connect and share ideas and best practices. I absolutely love connecting with other professionals who share my passion for safety and are committed to making the world a safer place.

What I love most about safety is that it’s not just about preventing accidents and injuries; it’s about creating a culture of safety. A culture where everyone is responsible for their own safety and the safety of others around them. It’s about educating people and empowering them to make the right choices when it comes to safety.

Another thing that I love about safety is that it’s constantly evolving. There are always new technologies, new regulations and new best practices that we can learn from and implement. This means that there is always something new to learn, and there are always opportunities to grow and develop as a safety professional.

Finally, safety is a career that has a real impact on people’s lives. Every day, I know that the work I do is making a difference in the lives of workers and their families. It’s a rewarding feeling to know that I’m helping to create a safer world.

As a safety professional, it’s important to remember that every day you dedicate to safety is an opportunity to safeguard the lives and well-being of those around you, making your work an admirable and honorable pursuit that’s worth striving for. Here’s to all the safety professionals out there! Let’s continue to raise the bar and make the world a safer and healthier place.

Jade Nelson
Corporate Dangerous Goods Manager