Nicholas Addo, MSc. CRSP CHSMSA
Nepean,ON
Summary
Strategic and results-driven Health, Safety, and Emergency Management Executive with over 25 years of leadership experience across healthcare, manufacturing, and institutional operations. Recognized for transforming organizational safety culture and governance through evidence-based strategies, policy innovation, and disciplined system integration.
Proven success in designing and implementing enterprise-wide Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems that comply with ISO 45001, ISO 14001, and WSIB Workwell standards—ensuring ongoing compliance, achieving measurable risk reduction, and strengthening organizational resilience. Skilled at navigating complex regulatory environments, fostering stakeholder collaboration, and aligning health and safety strategies with corporate goals, patient care excellence, and public accountability.
Recognized as a trusted advisor to boards, executives, and ministries, with a reputation for enhancing psychological safety, accessibility, and emergency preparedness in large, unionized settings. A catalyst for change who establishes strong governance structures, advocates for ethical leadership, and cultivates a culture where safety, wellness, and operational integrity are central to organizational success.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Occupational Health, Safety & Emergency Planning
Royal Ottawa Health Care Group
Ottawa, ON
01.2011 - Current
- Designed and implemented hospital-wide Occupational Health and Safety programs, ensuring full compliance with OHSA, WSIA, and Accreditation Canada standards.
- Developed and delivered appropriate hospital-wide training and personnel development strategies related to Occupational Health, Safety, Emergency Management Programs, Accessibility, Occupational Health, and Accreditation Canada program requirements.
- Led, developed, implemented, and monitored health and wellness programs for staff, including educational materials and initiatives.
- Led the organization’s Emergency Management and Pandemic Preparedness programs, ensuring resilience during COVID-19 and other critical incidents.
- Co-chaired the Workplace Violence Prevention Committee; reduced workplace incidents through proactive risk assessments and staff training.
- Directed disability management, WSIB claims, attendance support programs, critical illness program, and RTW programs — achieving significant reductions in lost-time injury rates and insurance costs.
- Implement comprehensive staff wellness and mental health programs, integrating psychological safety into leadership and organizational culture.
- Led accessibility efforts and AODA compliance, chairing the Corporate Accessibility Committee and establishing barrier-free policies.
- Built collaborative partnerships with ministries, WSIB, Public Health, and the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) to influence policy and share best practices.
Safety & Sustainability Manager
Gay Lea Foods
Toronto, ON
01.2008 - 12.2011
- Implemented sustainability initiatives and environmental compliance frameworks aligned with ISO standards.
- Developed company-wide safety policies, resulting in measurable decreases in incidents and enhanced audit performance.
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive corporate Safety Management System that integrates ISO 14001 and OHSAS 45001 principles, enhancing compliance and operational discipline across multiple production facilities.
- Developed and implemented sustainability programs focused on energy conservation, waste reduction, and environmental stewardship, resulting in measurable cost savings and improved corporate performance.
- Standardized health and safety procedures across plants, achieving measurable reductions in recordable and lost-time incidents.
- Led internal and external audit preparations, improving results during WSIB Workwell audits and third-party environmental reviews.
- Partnered with plant leadership to embed proactive safety culture and accountability, delivering continuous improvements in leading indicators such as near-miss reporting and corrective action closure rates.
- Collaborated with operations and maintenance teams to introduce ergonomic and machine-safeguarding improvements, minimizing repetitive strain and critical injury risks.
- Supported corporate sustainability reporting and public communications, ensuring transparent alignment with evolving environmental regulations and stakeholder expectations.
Safety & Environmental Manager
Magna International
Toronto, ON
01.1999 - 12.2008
- Implemented injury-prevention programs resulting in a significant reduction of recordable incidents.
- Managed environmental audits and compliance programs under provincial and federal legislation.
- Directed all occupational health, safety, and environmental programs for a large automotive manufacturing operation employing 1,000+ staff, ensuring compliance with OHSA, WSIA, and Ministry of Labour standards.
- Implemented data-driven injury-prevention and behaviour-based safety programs that resulted in a multi-year reduction in recordable and lost-time injuries—achieving zero lost-time injuries for consecutive years.
- Conducted comprehensive environmental risk assessments, leading initiatives in hazardous waste management, spill prevention, and emissions control that exceeded regulatory requirements.
- Developed and maintained ISO 45001 & ISO 14001 certifications, and integrated continuous improvement practices into production operations.
- Collaborated with engineering teams to design safety systems for new production lines and automation upgrades, embedding preventive controls from project inception.
- Led crisis management and emergency preparedness programs, including fire safety, chemical response, and business continuity planning.
- Provided strategic oversight of WSIB claims management and RTW coordination, significantly reducing premiums and lost-time durations.
- Delivered safety leadership training for supervisors and managers, fostering a proactive safety culture recognized across the Magna Group of Companies.
Education
M.Sc. - Safety Management
College of Engineering, West Virginia University
B.A.A - Urban & Regional Planning
Toronto Metropolitan University
Skills
- OHS strategies development
- Safety culture engagement
- OHS legislation mastery
- Risk identification and control
- Industrial hygiene integration
- Internal Responsibility System principles
- Relationship management with regulators and unions
- KPI and benchmarking proficiency
- Digital transformation in safety
- Preparedness and recovery leadership
- Legislative Compliance (OHSA, WSIA, Public Health Acts)
- Accreditation Canada Standards
- Strategic Planning & KPI Alignment
- Stakeholder & Labour Relations
- Radiation & Laser Safety Proficiency
- Certified Auditor
Required Skills And Competencies
- Ability to develop and execute company-wide OHS strategies aligned with corporate vision, sustainability goals, and organizational risk appetite.
- Proven capacity to engage the Board and C-suite in embedding a culture of safety, wellness, and shared accountability.
- Demonstrated mastery of OHS legislation, standards, and compliance frameworks to ensure organizational due diligence.
- Skilled in identifying, assessing, and controlling risks through integrated governance systems and performance assurance.
- Ability to integrate industrial hygiene, occupational health, ergonomics, and psychological safety into evidence-based programs.
- Experienced in driving Internal Responsibility System principles, behavior-based safety, and culture change across large organizations.
- Trusted to develop and maintain effective relationships with regulators, unions, and multidisciplinary internal teams.
- Proficient in using KPIs, benchmarking, and ROI analysis to link safety performance with business results.
- Demonstrated ability to advance safety outcomes through digital transformation, predictive analytics, and automation.
- Proven capability to lead preparedness, response, and recovery efforts that ensure compliance, resilience, and business continuity.
Legislative Compliance
- OHSA
- WSIA
- Public Health Acts
Leadership Roles
- Chair, Emergency Management Committee, ROHCG
- Chair, Corporate Accessibility Programs
- Chair, Workplace Violence Prevention Committee
- Advisor, Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC)
Websites
Education And Professional Designation
- M.Sc. Safety Management, College of Engineering, West Virginia University
- B.A.A, Urban & Regional Planning, Toronto Metropolitan University
- Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP), Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals
- CHSMSA – Certified Health and Safety Management System Auditor (OHSAS 45001, ISO 19011), Board & Committee Leadership. The Auditing Association of Canada (AAC)
Executive Profile
Strategic and results-driven Health, Safety, and Emergency Management Executive with over 25 years of leadership experience across healthcare, manufacturing, and institutional operations. Recognized for transforming organizational safety culture and governance through evidence-based strategies, policy innovation, and disciplined system integration., Proven success in designing and implementing enterprise-wide Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems that comply with ISO 45001, ISO 14001, and WSIB Workwell standards—ensuring ongoing compliance, achieving measurable risk reduction, and strengthening organizational resilience., Skilled at navigating complex regulatory environments, fostering stakeholder collaboration, and aligning health and safety strategies with corporate goals, patient care excellence, and public accountability., Recognized as a trusted advisor to boards, executives, and ministries, with a reputation for enhancing psychological safety, accessibility, and emergency preparedness in large, unionized settings.
Timeline
Director, Occupational Health, Safety & Emergency Planning
Royal Ottawa Health Care Group
01.2011 - Current
Safety & Sustainability Manager
Gay Lea Foods
01.2008 - 12.2011
Safety & Environmental Manager
Magna International
01.1999 - 12.2008
M.Sc. - Safety Management
College of Engineering, West Virginia University
B.A.A - Urban & Regional Planning
Toronto Metropolitan University