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🧑🔎 Why the Future of Workplace Safety Needs More Women Leaders

Sunday, 08 March 2026 04:33.PM

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Health and safety manager Michelle Ann Zoleta at Peninsula Canada explains why people-first leadership is essential as small businesses navigate growing compliance pressures -

This International Woman's Day, conversations about leadership are expanding beyond boardrooms and into workplaces where safety decisions affect people every day.

In Canada, women now represent nearly 48% of the national workforce, yet they remain underrepresented in occupational health and safety leadership roles. According to the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals, women account for roughly 38% of certified safety professionals, highlighting a persistent gender gap in the field.

For Michelle Ann Zoleta, Health and Safety Manager at Peninsula Canada, this imbalance represents both a challenge and an opportunity to reshape how organizations approach workplace protection.

"Workplace safety isn't just about policies and paperwork," Zoleta says. "It's about people. When employees feel heard and involved in safety conversations, workplaces become safer for everyone."

Workplace health and safety has evolved significantly in recent years. Modern safety programs now go far beyond compliance requirements, incorporating mental health considerations, inclusive workplace practices, employee engagement, and proactive risk management.

"This shift toward a more holistic, people-first approach benefits from diverse leadership perspectives."

"Women bring valuable perspectives to safety leadership because we often approach risk through communication, collaboration, and empathy," Zoleta explains. "Those skills are essential when you're building a culture where employees feel comfortable speaking up about hazards."

At the same time, Canadian small and medium-sized businesses are facing growing regulatory pressure. Workplace safety legislation continues to expand as governments strengthen expectations around training, documentation, harassment prevention, and overall well-being of the employees. For many smaller companies, hiring a full-time safety leader is financially challenging, leaving business owners to manage complex compliance requirements alongside running their operations.

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