Candace Carnahan, Safety Advocate

Session Synopsis: IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU

Candace believes that “The first step in NOT getting injured is knowing that you CAN be.”

Her unimaginable experience dispels the myth that we are invincible; what you don’t know, in fact, can hurt you – lessons Candace learned the hard way.

Candace shares her very personal account about the day that changed her life forever, after suffering the loss of her lower left leg to an unguarded conveyor belt system.

With her ever present sense of humour and passion for her message she emphasizes that when an injury happens, there is rarely only one cause or contributing factor – emphasizing the countless opportunities to intervene in the name of safety.

In guiding audiences through her fateful day, she recounts her thoughts or ‘distractions’ and talks about her then subconscious belief that nothing “bad” could ever happen to her.

Candace’s presentation focuses on identifying the many contributing factors (insufficient training, unguarded machinery, unsafe culture, etc.…) that led to her injury, while assuming responsibility for her own role in the incident.

Candace encourages people to take a leading role in their own health and safety! Encouraging them to embrace, and even celebrate, their right to an injury-free and healthy environment.

Combating complacency and encouraging people to “focus on focus!” are key components to Candace’s message. Her story is a reminder that safety isn’t 9–5 – rather, it’s a state of mind, an attitude that we must carry with us throughout our day to day lives.

Expected outcomes

Reduction in recordable injuries, enriched safety awareness, accountability, an empowered and cohesive student body and or workforce.

Biography

With wisdom and wit, Candace presents a new way to think about safety. Through the power of stories, she demonstrates how to use your voice - to see safety as an opportunity not just an obligation.

Having experienced a traumatic workplace injury at the age of 21, Candace knows too well the impact it has not only on the worker, but also on everyone around them.

For over 20 years Candace has been taking the stage sharing stories to companies of all sizes – and already more than half a million people have been moved by her personal experience of injury, resilience, and strength. The way she weaves safety seamlessly into storytelling that is relatable and memorable is what resonates and provokes real change in attitude and action.

Candace lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and is a frequent traveller to clients in the manufacturing, transportation, energy, and production industries.