Transforming Tragedy into Workplace Safety Advocacy
In workplace safety advocacy, some stories inspire change and reveal the human cost behind statistics. Tara Elliott is one such individual. Her journey from personal tragedy to becoming a national family spokesperson for the 2024 Steps for Life campaign showcases resilience and commitment.
“It was very transformative,” explains Elliott about her involvement with Threads of Life. “They gave us so many tools to just take the next step. We could talk to people who’ve lost their parents, spouses, or children due to work-related incidents.”
Elliott lost her father, Stephen Brown, in 2019 to a workplace incident. Brown, a machinist for 28 years, was working on a machine when a piece of metal unexpectedly flew out. It struck him in the chest and killed him instantly.
Threads of Life helped Elliott and her family with the grieving process. Over time, Elliott felt inspired to change her career. “It’s become very important to me to share my story and help people better understand workplace safety,” she explains. Transitioning to a role as a health and safety coordinator with an asphalt company, Elliott now dedicates her days to ensuring the safety of others.
Elliott Advocates for Humanizing Workplace Safety as 2024 Steps for Life Spokesperson
Steps for Life is an annual campaign that raises funds to support Threads of Life’s programs. These programs assist families whose lives have been forever changed by a workplace incident.
As the national family spokesperson for the 2024 Steps for Life campaign, Elliott sees her role as an honor and a responsibility. “Being able to share my experience with Threads of Life and just how the organization is… putting the humanity into a death or an incident that forever changes someone’s life.” Her goal is clear. She wants to humanize workplace safety and make individuals reflect on the real impact of safety protocols.
In her message to fellow safety professionals, Elliott highlights the importance of fostering a people-driven safety culture. “Try to put yourself in those people’s shoes… empower people to want to take extra steps for safety,” Elliott articulates passionately. Her advocacy extends beyond compliance. It aims to instill a genuine commitment to safety within organizations.
As Elliott’s story illustrates, behind every workplace safety statistic lies a human narrative. This narrative demands recognition, empathy, and action. Through her role as a national family spokesperson and her daily work as a health and safety coordinator, Elliott embodies the spirit of resilience and compassion. She inspires change one story at a time.