Register for the SCSA Conference, online April 22-23

SCSA Conference

April 22-23, 2026

Online | 8:30 am

Register Now

Conference Schedule

Wednesday, April 22

8:30 am Start

Welcome and Opening Remarks

TBD
SCSA Chairperson

Fireside Chat
Mobility of COR®: National Alignment, Interprovincial Trade and Practical Expectations

Collin Pullar, Mark Hoosein & Sean Scott
Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations

Construction companies regularly operate across Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba. Yet questions remain about how COR® (Certificate of Recognition) certification applies when contractors cross provincial borders. This executive-level fireside chat brings together the CEOs of the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association, the Alberta Construction Safety Association and the Construction Safety Association of Manitoba for a practical discussion on the interprovincial mobility and recognition of COR®.

Designed for contractors, owners, procurement professionals and safety leaders, this session will provide clear guidance on operating across provincial boundaries while maintaining the integrity of audited safety management systems. The discussion will cover:

  • How COR® harmonization supports labour and business mobility
  • Changes your company needs to know when setting up operations in a new jurisdiction
  • Whether alternative safety management systems should be recognized as equivalent to COR®
  • How Canadian safety associations approach training recognition and supervisor qualifications

Dropped Object Prevention and Exclusion Zones

Stephen Spock
SCSA Advisory Services

Dropped objects continue to be a leading cause of serious injuries and fatalities on construction sites, often during routine tasks that feel familiar and low risk. This session focuses on how and why objects fall, the real harm they can cause and the everyday work situations where risk is most often overlooked. Using Saskatchewan-relevant examples, see how small tools, materials and debris become high-energy hazards when work is performed at heights. 

Learn to identify dropped object hazards in common construction tasks, recognize planning and supervision gaps, and apply a straightforward prevention process before work begins. Gain confidence in setting up and managing effective exclusion zones, as well as knowing when and how to access SCSA tools, checklists and support to strengthen dropped object prevention on your sites.

10:30 am Break

Keynote Presentation
Energy-Based Safety and High Energy Control Assessment (HECA)

Dr. Steven Ayer
Construction Safety Research Alliance/Safety Function

Dr. Ayer will discuss energy-based safety and cover topics related to the various types of energy involved in typical work that causes harm. Understand how more energy causes more harm and how you can evaluate which hazards have the likely potential for serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs), and which do not. Learn direct and alternative controls that are specifically targeted to address high-energy hazards. The High Energy Controls Assessment (HECA) is an alternative way to measure and improve safety performance by linking to safety walks, observations and auditing activities that most companies already perform.

Emcee Wrap-up

TBD
TBD

12:00 pm End

Thursday, April 23

8:30 am Start

Welcome and Opening Remarks

TBD
TBD

Mental Health in Construction Workplaces

Rojette Besana
Canadian Mental Health Association, Saskatoon Branch

This session provides an overview of common mental health challenges in the construction industry and how they impact workers, crew dynamics, safety and performance. In a physically demanding field, many workers feel pressure to “tough it out,” which can make it harder to speak up about stress, burnout, anxiety, depression or substance use. Failure to address mental health concerns can affect focus, decision-making and job site safety. Learn to recognize early signs of stress, have supportive and practical conversations on site, and understand that mental health is just as important as physical safety in protecting both individuals and the entire crew.

Safety Management for Scaffolds, Shoring and Formwork

Bill Gessell
SCSA Training Services

Scaffolds, shoring and formwork are the essential “temporary bones” of a project, but they represent some of the most significant risks on a Saskatchewan job site. This session moves beyond technical assembly to focus on how leaders and supervisors effectively manage these structures from ground level. Bill Gessell will be joined by an industry professional with deep field experience to discuss the practical realities of ensuring these systems remain safe and stable throughout the project lifecycle.

Explore the high-impact decisions that often lead to success or failure, including selecting the right system for the task, verifying true competency beyond a training ticket and managing the unique impacts of Saskatchewan’s environment.

10:35 am Break

Keynote Presentation
Surviving to Thriving: A Guide to Self Health

Sylvia Marusyk
Injury Prevention & Stress Management Expert

Fatigue, brain fog, unexplained symptoms and illness are impacting performance and safety in the workplace and reshaping our lives at home. Reactivate your resilience and move from surviving to thriving while enhancing safety using nervous system science. Gain an understanding of how stress affects the mind and body, especially chronic stress. Learn specific tools designed to settle the nervous system, returning to a state of rest and restore. Find the calm in chaos, both personally and in the workplace.

Sylvia Marusyk will share a framework using the three universal triggers of stress to help you not only mitigate challenges but also PREVENT future challenges, at home and work. This tool is ideal for creating a more respectful workplace and improving communication, two of the biggest stressors in any workplace.

Emcee Wrap-up

Sue Babcock and Dallas Paproski
Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association Advisors

12:00 pm End

Conference Speakers

Dr. Steven Ayer

Training Specialist, Safety Function & Associate Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder

Dr. Ayer is an award-winning associate professor at the University of Colorado Boulder. He is also a trainer in the concepts and practical application of energy-based safety and serious injury and fatality (SIF) prevention strategies. He holds bachelor, master and PhD degrees from the Pennsylvania State University. His research explores new and emerging technologies, including augmented reality, virtual reality and artificial intelligence. He explores how these tools can impact construction safety education.

Steve’s work with the Construction Safety Research Alliance (CSRA) has demonstrated how immersive visualization technologies can provide psychologically impactful learning environments, but also how these tools need to be tailored to support effective safety learning. Dr. Ayer leverages his work with the CSRA and extensive background in engineering education to present critically important safety topics.

Sylvia Marusyk

Occupational Therapist, Activational Speaker, Health & Wellness Expert

Sylvia Marusyk is an occupational therapist and public speaker, with a passion for promoting health and safety in the workplace. With years of experience in assessing and treating injuries, Sylvia has developed a proactive approach to preventing stress and workplace injuries, emphasizing the importance of prevention in building healthy individuals, employees and businesses.

Sylvia emphasizes the mind-body connection, recognizing that individuals are not simply a mind and a body, but rather an interconnected system where mental and physical health are closely intertwined. Through her engaging and inspiring talks, she encourages individuals to prioritize their health and provides practical and effective strategies for achieving optimal well-being.

Stephen Spock

NCSO, SCSA Advisor

Stephen has extensive experience in the construction industry, having spent over a decade as a plumber. His commitment to safety and professional development led him to obtain numerous safety certifications and ultimately transition into a dedicated safety leadership role.

As an NCSO and advisor, he is focused on enhancing member safety programs through a practical, experience-based approach. Stephen ensures that safety initiatives are not only compliant and effective but also realistic and applicable for workers in the field.

Bill Gessell

NCSO, SCSA Course Development Coordinator

With 18 years of service at the SCSA, Bill has worked directly with the construction industry across multiple critical functions. His experience spans from advising and training field personnel to conducting safety audits and developing comprehensive safety training. He is always looking for innovative ways to bring safety to the industry, leveraging technology and best practices to achieve superior risk management.

Collin Pullar

President, SCSA

Collin Pullar has been president of the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association since 2014. He previously spent several years in labour market development and technology management roles. Collin has served on several industry and community boards, including the Minister’s Advisory Committee for Labour Relations & Workplace Safety, the Regina and District Chamber of Commerce, Access Communications Cooperative Ltd, Legal Aid Saskatchewan and SaskPower.

Rojette Besana

Mental Health Worker and Workplace Wellness Facilitator, CMHA Saskatoon

Rojette Besana is a Mental Health Worker and Workplace Wellness Facilitator for CMHA Saskatoon. With a background in psychology, her work spans supporting workplace wellness and working directly with individuals, families, children and youth, with a focus on practical, accessible approaches to mental health and wellbeing. Her goal is to make mental health support more accessible, human and sustainable by meeting people where they are and supporting them in leading their own journey.

Sean Scott

Executive Director, CSAM

Sean Scott is the Executive Director of the Construction Safety Association of Manitoba and a nationally respected voice in construction health and safety. He holds professional designations including CRSP, NCSO® and Gold Seal Construction Safety Coordinator. Sean is passionate about the prevention of workplace injuries, transforming workplace culture and empowering organizations to make safety a core value, not just a requirement. Through his work on national and provincial safety committees, he continues to shape the future of workplace safety in Canada. Sean is passionate about helping organizations improve performance, protect workers and create safer, more resilient worksites across Canada.

Mark Hoosein​

Chief Executive Officer, ACSA

Mark Hoosein is the Chief Executive Officer of the Alberta Construction Safety Association, with extensive experience in construction project management, safety, governance and industry relations. He has also held key positions with Alberta Infrastructure and Alberta Housing, where he worked in emergency response, security and project planning.

Mark holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Alberta and a Master of Business Administration from Royal Roads University. He is also a member of the boards of the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations and the Edmonton Public Library.