GFL EHS director among top Canadian women in safety

Tara Curley, National Director of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) for GFL Infrastructure Group, has been named one of Canadian Occupational Safety Magazine’s Top Women in Safety for 2021.

“Luckily, I absolutely love what I do,” Curley said. “If we can just get every worker home safe, that’s what it’s about. If the small things we do on a day-to-day basis can help keep our workers safer, that’s what keeps me going.”

The accolade celebrates eminent female professionals in the Canadian occupational health and safety field, and with over twenty years as an EHS leader in the heavy construction industry, Curley certainly qualifies.

“We are so proud to have Tara as part of our GFL Family, leading the safety charge in our infrastructure division and contributing so significantly to our Safe For Life culture,” said Selin Hoboy, GFL vice-president EHS and compliance. “GFL’s ongoing pledge is to the safety of our employees, our customers and our communities in every service we provide. Tara has been instrumental in driving the safety programs and certifications that are crucial to fulfilling this pledge, so it’s fantastic to see her well-deserved recognition as a strong female leader in the industry.”

Curley oversees an extensive portfolio in GFL Infrastructure Group’s five specialized divisions, Shoring and Foundations, Demolition, Civil, Excavation, and Soil Remediation. In her close to four-year tenure with the company, she’s directed the development and implementation of an impressive industry-leading health and safety program, including COR and ISO 45001 certifications.

Curley’s two decades in international health and safety spans Europe, the U.S. and Canada. She’s also a professor in the occupational health and safety graduate program at Lambton College, Ontario.

Despite her impressive resume, Curley says that emerging as a female leader in the male-dominated construction industry has brought its own unique challenges. As a result, she’s keen to offer her mentorship and pave the way for other women to succeed as she has.

“Safety is a rewarding and challenging career path,” she said. “My goal is to highlight for women the opportunities that are out there and help them get their foot in the door.”

• Previous
• next