Dennis O’Grady is one of those individuals who straight up embodies the spirit of his organization. As Safety and Environmental Coordinator in Bishop’s Falls, he not only lives Hydro’s safety culture while at work, but well beyond the 9-to-5 workday too.

Until quite recently, O’Grady served as a Safety and Training Officer, responsible for Transmission and Rural Operations in the Central, Northern and Labrador regions. Clocking extra hours and going beyond expectations was an everyday action for this dedicated staffer. Constantly on the move, much of his time was spent facilitating first aid and he became well known for doing what it takes to help a student in need of certification and for inviting volunteer firefighters into training when seats became available.

Perhaps the most tangible of O’Grady’s “above and beyond” efforts is a 129-page coffee table book about safety, health and wellness. Under his own steam, O’Grady went out to Hydro staff and their families, asking for their hints, tips and cautions about all types of safety issues. He then compiled these submissions and had them published. Of the book he says, “Ownership is everything. For the families involved in this book, knowing that they contributed and were recognized is invaluable.” One Hydro employee even told O’Grady that his daughter would take the book to bed at night!

O’Grady insists that for all his extra effort at work, he is a father and husband first and foremost. He chuckles a little as he recounts discussing, “The ergonomics of a cash register,” with his daughter who was employed as a clerk. In fact, family ties possibly urged him to a heightened awareness of safety to begin with, as O’Grady sadly admits to losing two relatives to workplace accidents: an uncle in the 1960s and a nephew just five years ago.

Supporting O’Grady in all that he does are wife Stella, and three daughters, Ashlie, Leah and Hayley. It was they who nominated him to be the St. John Ambulance (SJA) Instructor of the Year, an award he received in October 2008. His overwhelming dedication to SJA also earned O’Grady a “Priory Vote of Thanks” from the organization, a national award that recognizes exemplary and dedicated service.

Without doubt, Dennis O’Grady is a shining example of how much one person can accomplish when he or she is dedicated to making safety a concern 24-7, 365 days a year.