Professional engineer, machine safety expert elected to lead health and safety association board
Workplace Safety North (WSN) and Ontario Mine Rescue (OMR) welcome Eric Haapamaki as the new Chair of the Board of Directors. With more than 20 years of experience in the mining and forestry industries, Haapamaki brings a strong background in engineering, machine safety and business leadership to his new role.
A career focused on safer workplaces
A licensed Professional Engineer and Certified Machine Safety Expert, Haapamaki currently works at Hatch. Throughout his career, he has held technical and senior leadership positions, developing engineering and automation solutions for industrial operations.
His work includes designing machine safety systems, assessing equipment for potential hazards, and co-inventing a lockout tagout system that allows multiple sources of hazardous energy to be safely isolated from a single location.
Having spent much of his career working in the field, Haapamaki has witnessed firsthand how industrial equipment has become increasingly complex, reinforcing the importance of engineering controls in protecting workers.
“In addition to the training and protective gear, we increasingly need to look to engineered safety solutions,” says Haapamaki.
A commitment to giving back
Haapamaki joined the WSN Board five years ago, motivated by a desire to give back to the community.
“I had no idea at the time what a fulfilling and rewarding experience this would be,” he says. “I feel like I’ve gotten more back than I’ve given.”
Having also served as Vice Chair, Haapamaki emphasizes the importance of collaboration in his new leadership role.
“We are a team with each member having an equally important role to play,” he says.
Building on a strong foundation
Haapamaki credits previous Board Chairs and WSN President and CEO Mike Parent with positioning the organization to focus on its long-term future.
“That leaves myself and the Board in the fortunate position to have both the time and space to focus on longer-term strategic goals,” he says.
These priorities include organizational sustainability, expanding WSN's industry reach and impact, and ensuring Ontario Mine Rescue can support continued growth in the mining sector.
He also looks forward to the opening of the new Ontario Mine Rescue Training Academy.
Looking ahead
With the mining industry experiencing rapid growth, and both mining and forestry facing workforce changes and advancing technologies, Haapamaki recognizes the importance of helping workplaces adapt to new challenges.
“I see WSN well-positioned to act not as just a service, but as a trusted industry partner with a wealth of safety knowledge,” he says.
“WSN has a bright future helping bring every worker home, safe and healthy.”
Related
Board of Directors | Workplace Safety North
Workplace Safety North honours the ground for mine rescue training academy | Workplace Safety North
Ontario investing in world class mine training facility in Sudbury | Workplace Safety North