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About The Team

NANCY HARWOOD*

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EXPERIENCE

 

President – THE HARWOOD SAFETY GROUP

* Practicing through Nancy Harwood Law Corporation
(2014 – Present) Vancouver BC
Provide occupational health and safety professional services including legal, training and technical expertise for navigating the complex OHS regulatory environment and assisting clients in preventing workplace injuries and diseases. 
 
DIRECTOR - REGULATORY PRACTICES DEPARTMENT - WORKSAFEBC 
(2000 – 2014) Richmond BC
Founded and lead department which:

  • Provided strategic advice, issue management, and legal opinions to officers, adjudicators and senior executives on OSH law, policy, regulation and practice.

  • Provided presentations to the senior executive, internal and external clients on strategic, regulatory, policy and practice issues.

  • Liaised and developed joint initiatives, agreements and protocols with various interjurisdictional agencies.

 
VICE CHAIR - WORKERS’ COMPENSATION REVIEW BOARD (1997 – 2000) Vancouver BC
Chaired hearing panels conducting appeals throughout BC on claims, pension and rehabilitation decisions. Wrote and reviewed decisions.
 
PUBLIC POLICY AND LAW CONSULTANT (1997-1998) Vancouver BC
Provided legal and policy advice to clients on administrative tribunal procedures, legislative reform, hearings, decision writing, codes of ethics and FIPPA law.
 
CORPORATE COUNSEL (1994-1997) MANAGER OF COMPLIANCE (1992-1994)
Insurance Council of BC Vancouver BC
Managed investigation staff and provided strategic, regulatory and legal expertise to the Board of Directors.  Acted as the liaison to the Minister of Finance and the Financial Institutions Commission of BC on legislative amendments and related issues. 
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DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH (1991) 
Plain Language Institute of BC Vancouver BC 
Directed the research program promoting the use of plain language by lawyers and legal institutions in BC.
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BC ARTICLES
Freeman and Company (1989-1990) Vancouver BC
Articled at commercial firm covering insurance, litigation, and corporate and commercial and banking law. 
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LEGAL COUNSEL (1985-1989)
Manitoba Law Reform Commission Winnipeg MB
Developed reports and draft legislation for the Ministry of Attorney General recommending law reform and policy initiatives. Consulted with stakeholders; published working papers and final reports. 
 
COUNSEL / MANITOBA ARTICLES (1983-1985)  
Department of Justice Canada Winnipeg MB
Prosecuted under Narcotics Control Act and represented the federal government in federal court and tribunals on civil and administrative law cases.
 
 
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES 
 
Actsafe Safety Association
Chair – Board of Directors 2018 - 2020
Vice Chair – Board of Directors 2015 – 2018
 
Contributing Editor - Quickscribe Services Ltd.
Provide expert commentaries on OHS legal developments 2020 - Present
 
BC and Canadian Bar Associations 1990 – Present
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Canadian Society of Safety Engineers (CSSE) Member 2006 to date
 
Canadian Association of Administrators of Labour Legislation - OSH (CAALL-OSH)
BC Representative / Past Chair 2007 – 2014
 
Hazardous Materials Information Review Commission
Federal Order-in-Council appointee representing BC  2006 – 2012
 
Canadian Standards Association - OSH Advisory Council
BC Representative 2007 – 2014
 
Six Sigma Green Belt Designation - 2008
 
International Labour Organization - Geneva
Representative for Canada and Lead for International Gov't Reps
on Tri-Partite Committee on Violence and Stress in the Workplace
ILO Code of Practice – 2003
 
BC Council of Administrative Tribunals
Founding member of Board of Directors 1995 – 2000
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EDUCATION
 

Admitted to British Columbia Bar - Barrister & Solicitor (1990)
Admitted to Manitoba Bar - Barrister and Solicitor (1984)
Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) University of Manitoba (1983)
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) University of Manitoba (1978)
Political Studies/Economics - Dean’s Honour Lists

STEPHEN TYE

 

EXPERIENCE

 

2020 – Present Consultant – Harwood Safety Group
Owner SLT Safe-Tye Solutions

 

Providing educational and occupational health and safety services to a variety of industries and specializing in occupational hygiene. Current primary focus includes the construction industry and Motion Picture and Television Production. Contracted to The Harwood Safety Group, The BC Federation of Labour, and the BC Municipal Safety Association.

 

1997 - 2019     Occupational Hygiene Officer, WorkSafeBC (Region 5225 / 5351) 

 

Planned and implemented inspections in provincially regulated workplaces to ensure compliance with the  Worker’s Compensation Act and the BC Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. Issue compliance orders, closure orders, sanctions and investigate claims of occupational disease. Conducted internal and external educational presentations including new officer development. Emphasized experience with combustible dust, oil and gas, toxic process gases and manufacturing.

 

1981 - 1997     Laboratory Analyst (I & II), WorkSafeBC 

 

Conducted routine and non-routine sample analysis. Conducted applied research projects, and instrument evaluation studies. Operate and maintain complex laboratory equipment. Prepared technical reports and conduct internal and external educational presentations.

 

1978 - 1980     Head Plant Chemist, Houg Cement Ltd., Clyde, Alberta

 

 In charge of the laboratory with accountability for quality control of all raw materials and finished products. Advised foremen and the General Manager of potential production problems and provided recommendations. Supervised four other laboratory chemists. 

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PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

 

Member in good standing with the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP) and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA – BC Yukon Section).

 

Peer Support for WorkSafeBC Prevention Officers since the program inception. This position requires effective communication and listening skills. Peer supports are nominated and elected by prevention officers. 

 

1992 – 2020  Courses, workshops and seminars in safety and hygiene related subjects some of which include: 

  • 2010 - Radiation Institute of Canada X-Ray Safety Officer (XSO).

  • 2010 – Medical Laser Safety Officer (MLSO)

  • 2007 – WHMIS Hazardous Product Act Inspector (BC00674-03) - lapsed

  • 2006 – IAPA/CSA Safeguarding of Machinery

  • 2005 – UBC SOEH Understanding and Evaluating Moulds

  • 2005 – Traffic Control Person Certification (SN1003388)

  • 2002 – Crosby Rigging and Product Training

  • 2002 – CSA Z94.4 Respiratory Protection Standard training

  • 2002 – RCMP Law Enforcement Investigators Course

  • 1998 - BC Institute of Technology Certificate Officer Training

  • 1992 - McCrone Research Institute (Illinois) Advanced Asbestos Identification

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EDUCATION

 

2003 - Present     Certified by the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals as a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP #03-2110).

 

1974 - 1978     B.Sc. Degree in Chemistry, University of British Columbia.

JEFFERY LYTH

 

EXPERIENCE

 

Consultant – The Harwood Safety Group (2014 – Present)

Owner - QSP Leadership Inc. (2012 – Present)

Management and leadership consulting for increased operational effectiveness (Quality, Safety, and Productivity)

  • Owner of www.safetydifferently.com website and social media

  • Provide support and coaching to corporate health and safety managers nationally to enhance culture, create engagement, and build the capacity for resilience in their organizations.

  • Executed many public speaking engagements and facilitated numerous workshops on leadership and ‘new view’ safety as applied to industrial operations.

  • Represented the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) on the Current Issues Committee for

  • Health Canada’s intergovernmental Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System transition to the Globally Harmonized System (GHS)

  • Accepted by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development as a Canadian Construction Occupational Health and Safety Specialist to the Canada/China Migrant Labour Occupational Health and Safety project

  • Participated in two missions to central China and 

  • Hosted two official Chinese delegations to B.C.

 

Senior Safety Advisor, BC Construction Safety Alliance (2012 – 2016)

As Senior Safety Advisor for the BCCSA, provided advice to all sectors of the construction industry across B.C. and worked on various projects including:

  • transformational leadership for supervisors

  • the new harassment and bullying policies in OH&S legislation

  • the duties of ‘Prime Contractors’ and contractor management

  • mental health First Aid

  • introduction of the ‘Safety Climate Tool’ perception survey to BC

  • development of the ‘Silica Control Tool’ in partnership with University of British Columbia and WorkSafeBC.

 

Director of Corporate Health and Safety, ITC Construction Group (2005 – 2012)

With overall responsibility for the corporate health and safety program, brought the safety management system into alignment with the Certificate of Recognition program. 

During a period of unprecedented growth:

  • Managed safety on multiple concurrent projects across 3 jurisdictions

  • Reduced claims costs by 50%, 

  • Reduced insurance premiums by 25%, 

  • Decreased WCB orders by 80%, 

  • Assisted the company with earning over $100,000 in rebates and incentives.

 

Regional Safety Manager, Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games (February 2010)

Seconded for this position during active games period

Responsible for all Vancouver city venues, media center, and accommodations

 

Proprietor/Consultant, J.L. Construction Safety (1996 – 2005)

As a Certified Health and Safety Consultant assisted many disciplines of trade contractor and small to medium sized prime contractors. 

  • Projects included hydroelectric dams, 2 water reservoirs, schools, hospitals, large retail spaces, and residential construction 

  • Worked in both organized and open shop (non-union) environments 

  • Trained and worked as a paramedic with the BC Ambulance Service, as a Lifeguard, and as a Ski Patroller in his spare time 

 

Construction Safety Officer/ First Aid Attendant (1991 – 1996)

As a certified Safety Officer and Occupational First Aid Attendant Level III, worked for a variety of companies on many different types of both commercial and residential construction projects.

 

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PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

 

Former Canadian Registered Safety Professional ‘CRSP’ (10 years)

Former Certified Health and Safety Consultant CHSC’ (15 years)

 

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EDUCATION

 

Banff Center School of Fine Arts Technical Theatre Apprenticeship/Internships 1982-1984

Certified in Mental Health First Aid by the Mental Health Commission of Canada

Numerous OHS courses through B.C. Institute of Technology and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (C.S.S.E.)

Former Level 1 Paramedic for the British Columbia Ambulance Service (7 years)

Nancy Harwood
Stephen Tye
Jeffery Lyth
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