How one head relocated and changed careers in mid-life
It was the year 2000 and Claudia Heathfield was working in South Africa’s construction industry in an administrative role. The mother of two young children was born and raised there, but rising unemployment and a high crime rate, had her feeling desperate to leave.
“We wanted our children to grow up in a society where there was opportunity and possibilities for them, as well as feeling safe," says Heathfield. Already well into her 30s, Heathfield moved her family to Canada that year, landing in the Greater Toronto Area, and while she felt more at ease in her new home, Heathfield had to find work.
She leaned on her experience, working various administrative roles, and in 2007 she landed a job as a safety administrator with North American Construction Ltd. As she approached 40, Heathfield’s career journey into safety was just beginning.
Heathfield found herself responsible for answering safety-related questions despite having no prior knowledge in the field. This sparked her curiosity, leading her to pursue part-time courses in occupational health and safety at Conestoga College.
"As my knowledge grew, so did my duties and responsibilities in the safety department," explains Heathfield. "And the rest is history, I guess."
Despite lacking experience, Heathfield embraced the opportunity to contribute by reviewing and organizing safety documentation, making it clear that she was not the technical expert but an expert in health and safety.
"What pulled me into safety is the fact that so many people are exposed to hazards on the worksite," shares Heathfield. "If I could be a part of helping them remain safe and go home to their families, that really made a big impression on me."
Heathfield continued educating herself in the safety field, and in 2016 she passed the CRSP exam. She’s maintained her designation ever since and joined the CSSE along the way.
Throughout her safety career, Heathfield faced several challenges. Being a woman in a male-dominated industry has posed difficulties, with some individuals doubting her expertise and experience. However, Heathfield has tackled these challenges head-on, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and open communication.
"I always make it clear that I am not the expert in their specific field of work," states Heathfield. "I am an expert in health and safety, and together, we can work to resolve the issues present on the worksite."
It’s that commitment to safety that earned Heathfield a Top Women in Safety award and helped her land her current position with Worksite Safety as team lead and senior health and safety advisor.
Looking ahead, Heathfield envisions the integration of safety into every aspect of business operations and company culture. She believes safety should not be treated as a separate entity but rather an intrinsic part of every facet of an organization.
"I would really like to see the integration of safety into every single process, the integration of safety into company culture, and into every way of doing business," expresses Heathfield. "It's not an additional afterthought; it should be automatic."
As Heathfield continues her safety career, she embraces new challenges in supervisory roles and expands her knowledge across various industries beyond construction. She also takes pride in mentoring and guiding colleagues, both new to the company and the safety field.
Heathfield offers insights about changing careers mid-life and gives advice the younger generation of safety professionals in a video interview. "Go for it! If it's something that makes you happy and you have an interest in it, why wouldn't you do it?" She also emphasizes the importance of celebrating small wins and finding job satisfaction in the positive impact made each day.
Heathfield's journey from construction to safety leadership showcases the transformative power of passion, dedication, and continuous learning.
