Helen Ayers

I graduated in 1974 from the Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital. As a graduate RN I worked at Sick Children's Hospital until 1978. After that, Public Health in Cassiar, B.C.

Upon my return to Ontario in 1980 I worked for the Ministry of Community and Social Services at the Edgar AOC.While there I was given the responsibility of Staff Health. I began taking courses in Occupational Health and joined the Barrie and District OHNs. What a supportive group!

In 1983, I was successful in applying for the Employee Health Supervisor position at Baxter Travenol, a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Alliston. I continued with the Barrie and District OHNs and joined OOHNA and RNAO. I continued with education in occupational health and safety, management and human resources. I found my passion in employee health!

• Supporting employees in the workplace is so exciting! Making a difference in their working lives is rewarding.
  
  
• Developing health and safety programs, such as Employee Assistance, First Aid, and Pre-start Fitness warm ups,
  
  
• Provision of Massage Therapy and Physiotherapy therapy made employees know that health and safety was important in their day to days lives and that Management cared.
  
  

After a move to Parry Sound in 1992, I commuted to Baxter until 1997. I have been at West Parry Sound Health since 1998.

The most important aspect of Occupational Health and Safety is to have management commit to a Culture of safety. I am committed to health and Safety in all workplaces becoming standardized.