For immediate release

Linda Keen, Former CEO of Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission presents her views on industry and government responsibility for safety issues to Canadian safety executives

Scheduled to Speak at the Canadian OHS Compliance Summit on October 14th in Toronto

Linda Keen, former president and CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has accepted a speaking engagement to discuss the responsibilities of industry and government regulators for handling safety issues and the problems which arise when politicians become involved in safety issues.

Ms. Keen, who is currently an internationally-recognized risk and safety management consultant, was relieved of her position as Canada’s top nuclear safety watchdog in January 2008 by the Harper government when she refused to restart the Chalk River Nuclear plant after it was closed for scheduled maintenance after the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, a federal Crown Corporation failed to meet its license obligations. Speaking before a House of Commons committee after her dismissal, Ms. Keen stated, “When it comes to nuclear facilities, ignoring safety requirements is simply not an option, not now, not ever."

Ms. Keen’s concerns about the safety condition of the 52 year old reactor, responsible for one third of the world’s isotopes, proved well-founded when on May 14, 2009 the Chalk River Facility had to be shut down due to a leak in the heavy water vessel.. The facility continues to be plagued by maintenance problems and is projected to be out of service until early 2010.

Ms. Keen will be speaking before a community of Occupational Health & Safety professionals at the 2009 Canadian OHS Compliance Summit, which will be held in Toronto on October 14 and 15, 2009. The topic of Ms. Keens talk will be “Witches Brew: Mixing Politics & Safety”. Ms Keen will draw upon her experience as CEO of the Nuclear Safety Commission to provide an unbiased view and practical insight into the many challenges of maintaining safety and reducing risk in a political environment.

Ms. Keen is a professional chemist and has spent 30 years as a manager of science-based organizations in the fields of agri-food, mining and nuclear materials. As part of her career, she has lead health and safety agencies in food safety, explosives and, most recently, nuclear safety.

Ms. Keen is currently advising Canadian and international clients in business and government on enterprise risk management including transparency and stakeholder involvement as well as regulatory and safety matters. She is involved in several boards as a Certified Corporate Director and graduate of the Director’s College of the Conference Board of Canada.

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For more information, go to http://www.ohscompliancesummit.com/
Contact: Kevin Harvey
Bongarde Media Co.
kevinh@bongarde.com
1-877-486-8143

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