Shining a Light on Safety

On May 16, 2024, at our Annual General Meeting, we were pleased to award the prestigious Women in Safety Leadership Award to Andrea Giles, Project Manager and Safety Coordinator of Solar Ascent. Her relentless drive for safety excellence and commitment to building a safer and more inclusive workplace makes her a deserving recipient of this honour.

The Road to (COR®) Certification
As a key player in the renewable energy industry, Andrea recognized the potential risks involved in solar installations. She understood that safety would be a pivotal factor in the success of Solar Ascent.

This need led Andrea to Construction Safety Nova Scotia’s Certificate of Recognition (COR®) program. The COR® program is designed to help businesses build and implement robust health and safety systems to prevent workplace injuries and fatalities. For Andrea and Solar Ascent, the program not only provided a framework for a stronger safety culture but also opened the door to a broader understanding of safety and risk management within the company.

“Working with CSNS and pursuing COR® Certification has really helped us build a solid foundation for safety. It’s not just about having systems in place—it’s about continuous improvement and creating a culture where everyone is committed to safety and well-being,” says Andrea.

Where Safety Excellence is a Shared Value
Andrea’s leadership plays a vital role in the ongoing transformation into a safe place at Solar Ascent. Since earning their COR® Certification, the company has seen measurable improvements in safety metrics. But the true testament lies in how safety is built into the foundation of daily operations.

“Achieving COR® Certification was just the beginning,” Andrea shares. “The real work starts after certification. We built a culture where safety is second nature, and everyone is invested. From leadership to our employees working onsite, everyone takes ownership of safety.”

Solar Ascent’s commitment to safety excellence extends beyond the workplace through best practices in training, hazard identification, and employee well-being. The benefits of being COR® Certified have not only improved safety but have also opened new business opportunities and positioned Solar Ascent as an industry leader.

A Future-Ready Safety Culture
Andrea’s vision of safety goes beyond regulatory requirements; her vision is about ingraining safety into the core values of the company and to continuously evolve with the dynamics of the industry.

“As a woman, I often play the role of caregiver, and that sense of responsibility naturally translates into a safety mindset,” Andrea says. “It’s in my nature to look out for the well-being of others. My hope is that safety ownership becomes so deeply ingrained in every role that, one day, we won’t need a specific ‘safety role’ because everyone will be a safety leader.”

Celebrating Andrea’s Leadership
Being honored with the Women in Safety Leadership Award is not just about Andrea’s professional recognitions but a testament to the impactful and lasting change she has instituted into Solar Ascent. This award acknowledges her passion for safety improvement, her leadership in shaping a positive workplace culture, and her ability to inspire those around her to take safety seriously.

At Construction Safety Nova Scotia, we are proud to work alongside leaders like Andrea, who are committed to safety and continuously push for improvement. Andrea’s story reminds us that safety is everyone’s responsibility, and with the right tools and mindset, we can create safer workplaces for all.

As Andrea continues to challenge the boundaries of safety excellence in Solar Ascent, we look forward to seeing ongoing influence she will continue to have on women and industry leaders alike. Congratulations, Andrea, and thank you for your outstanding contributions to safety.