Glenna Smith, CMSP is a dedicated safety professional with a career spanning multiple decades. Her vast experience covers the mining, construction, general industry, and energy sectors.
Glenna is Director of Mining Safety at McCraren Compliance. McCraren Compliance is a full-service risk management provider. McCraren Compliance serves the mining, construction, oil and gas, power, chemical and manufacturing industries and public entities at the local, state, and federal levels. McCraren’s clients span across North America.
Glenna’s passion for safety is not only evident through her work, but by her numerous degrees and certifications.
Just to name a few of those certifications and degrees: Masters of Business – Risk Management, Bachelors of Science – Occupational Safety and Health, Certified Mine Safety Professional, Registered Safety Manager, Der Norse Veritas Modern Safety Management, Incident Investigation Methods, MSHA Instructor (IS, IU, MR, IN), OSHA Outreach Instructor (Construction and General Industry), Leadership & Supervisory Training, and more.
She keeps herself on the cutting edge of safety theory and puts that knowledge to practice through continuous learning and deep connections through the safety community—both nationally and internationally.
Glenna has also served as a safety professional in the private, public, government and consulting sectors. Throughout her career has she been involved in every aspect of a comprehensive safety leadership system.
All in all, she’s an accomplished leader in the industry with the ability to inspire those who work with her to rise to the highest standard for safety and health at work. Keep reading to see what she says is her superpower—and how that resulted in her entering the safety profession.
What’s the best piece of advice you have been given and who gave it to you?
The best advice I’ve ever received is to seize every opportunity to learn and grow personally and professionally.
Have you ever had an incident that changed you and how did you approach it with your role?
The first injury incident case I managed occurred only a few days into my transition from underground locomotive operator to the safety department and it had a profound impact on my passion for keeping workers safe.
The injured individual went through a long and painful recovery that impacted every aspect of his life.
As an introduction to managing workplace safety, it was an eye opener. The high price of workplace injuries goes far beyond the expenditures for medical treatment. I witnessed the physical, mental, and financial hardship the worker went through as well as the effect it had on co-workers.
I know my inspiration in safety comes from wanting to prevent others from experiencing that anguish.
That event also demonstrated to me that the best way to prevent workplace injuries/illnesses and to serve the company was to approach safety proactively by identifying then reducing exposure to risk.
Do you have any mantra you live or work by?
Carpe diem!
What is your superpower?
My super power is empathy and I believe it is what led me to a profession in safety.
