9:00 AM: Welcome and Safety Shares – Members / Chair G. Cooke
Gerry Cooke, Western Safety Meeting Chair
Gerry began his career with Boart Longyear, spending five years working on diamond drills before transitioning into the construction industry in Saskatoon. There, he advanced into a supervisory role, overseeing scaffold system builds and various aspects of construction operations.
Driven by a strong interest in workplace safety, Gerry shifted his career focus to health and safety and, in 2016, earned his National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO) and Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) designations. He now serves as Health, Safety, and Environment Officer with Team Drilling in Saskatoon.
10:00 AM: Labour Relations & Workplace Safety Presentation
Victor Mela, LRWS
The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety encourages healthy, safe, and productive workplaces by setting, promoting, and enforcing employment and occupational health and safety standards. They work with businesses, labour groups, workers and other stakeholders to foster a positive labour environment.
10:45 AM: Ministry of Environment, Observations, Expectations, Concerns, etc. 2025/2026
Cathy Yuzek, MOE
The Ministry of Environment provides science-based solutions, compliance and mitigation measures aimed at protecting the environment, safeguarding communities and helping to ensure balanced economic growth and a better quality of life for all Saskatchewan residents.
11:45 AM: Industrial Safety Leadership Training
Don Beahm, DB Safety Solutions Inc.
Don Beahm holds CRSP (Canadian Registered Safety Professional) and CHSC (Certified Health and Safety Consultant) designations with over 40 years of industry experience. He spent 21 years as a journeyman power lineman, an occupation with high-risk hazards and demanding conditions.
Throughout his career, Don has held leadership and management roles, including Operations Management and General Manager of Business and Industry at a safety training institute. He contributed to the implementation and auditing of the OHSAS 18001 safety management system for a major Saskatchewan utility.
A long-time IBEW shop steward and health and safety committee member, Don’s experience and passion for workplace safety inspired him to develop The Industrial Supervisor Courses, designed to equip industry leaders with the tools to foster safe, healthy, and effective work environments.
1:30 PM: Addiction and Workplace Safety
Alexandra Perry, CATC
Alexandra Perry is the Director of Strategic Partnerships & Business Development at Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres (CATC) and a PhD candidate in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. She has built her career in the mental health and addiction field, working to strengthen partnerships and create pathways that make care more accessible.
Alexandra is passionate about leadership in workplace safety and well-being, and she works to support organizations not only through services, but also by helping normalize and de-stigmatize conversations around substance use health and mental health. She believes real change comes when leaders set the tone, building cultures where people feel safe, supported, and connected.
Register Now for the Annual Member CDDA Western Safety Meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Comfort Suites 203 Bill Hunter Ave, Saskatoon, SK S7R 1E3.
This important industry event will bring our members together to discuss key safety initiatives and industry updates.
Attendees have the option to participate virtually or in person.