Making Waves: Sherri Silver says “No element of safety is too small, and we all play a part”

Every day, individuals and teams of staff, physicians, researchers and volunteers strive to deliver high quality care and services in all areas of our province. The Making Waves Awards program recognizes individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to the health and well-being of Nova Scotians. The Making Waves Awards are designed to recognize exemplary efforts and contributions by employees, physicians, researchers and volunteers who advance our vision, mission, values and strategic directions.

The Don Currie Workplace Safety Award recognizes a staff member or physician who consistently demonstrates workplace safety values and behaviours that result in improvements to the safety and wellbeing of others. This is an individual who may (or may not) work directly in the area of occupational health safety and wellness and most certainly is someone who shows individual effort and leadership to help the organization reduce preventable harm.

Q&A with Sherri Silver

Tell me a bit about yourself; what you do, where you are located, and your favourite part of your work.

“When I received the award, I was working as a technical specialist for laboratory safety, with Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, based at the QEII’s VG site in the Mackenzie building in Central Zone. This role is responsible for ensuring appropriate laboratory procedures and documents are available and up to date, performing safety training, inspections and audits, confirming compliance with accreditation standards and safety regulations and mitigating risks as potential safety issues arise.”

“One of my favourite parts of this work is collaboration with different stakeholders – everyone from frontline team members and management within Pathology and Laboratory Medicine to Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness to Emergency Preparedness and others. I feel the more we collaborate, the more we’re looking at safety from a systems perspective instead of our own individual silos. This creates efficiencies and an overall safer environment for all.”

How do you feel your work contributes to the health and wellbeing of Nova Scotians, and NSH team members? Why is it important?

“We all deserve to be safe at work. One of the obvious benefits of a safe working environment is reduced injuries, which of course is really important. I believe safety is bigger than that. Feeling safe at work reduces our stress. It makes us more productive. As employees with Nova Scotia Health, our role is to support Nova Scotians and by maintaining a healthy, productive, safe environment; it allows us to focus on our jobs.”

What does it mean to you to receive the Don Currie Workplace Safety Award?

“By all accounts, Don Currie was a true safety champion not only encouraging and demonstrating a commitment to safety but also focusing on continuous improvement and promoting a respectful, supportive environment. It’s such an honour to receive this award and to have been nominated by one of my peers makes it even more special.”

How do you hope to inspire others when it comes to workplace safety?

“I think it's important to keep in mind we can all make a difference when it comes to safety in our environment and within our teams. No element of safety is too small, and we all play a part. It can be really small things such as picking up a piece of garbage from the floor, avoiding a slip or fall, to reporting a potential hazard and being proactive in looking for solutions. Every little thing that we do helps contribute to an environment of safety not only for ourselves, but for our patients.”

Congratulations to Sherri Silver on receiving this year’s Making Waves: Don Currie Workplace Safety Award. Sherri’s colleagues in Laboratory and Pathology Medicine and across services have benefited from Sherri’s collaborative approach to safety. Ultimately, her commitment to safety benefits Nova Scotia Health and those we serve, making her a deserving recipient of this year’s award.