Top 10 Under 40: Meet Jill Vrolson

Jill Vrolson, 35, is team lead, health and safety, at Keyera in Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.

OHS Canada’s annual Top 10 Under 40 program recognizes the achievements of the newest generation of Canadian OH&S workers.

Now in its second year, this program receives write-in applications over several months, and nominees are judged by the OHS Canada leadership team.

Our 2021 winners will be spotlighted on OHS Canada‘s website through August.

Jill Vrolson: Team lead, health and safety, at Keyera in Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., age 35

Jill Vrolson is a people-based safety professional.

For the last three years, she has headed up a team of worksite-based health and safety advisers for Keyera’s major projects group in Alberta’s oil and gas sector.

With many projects happening remotely, Vrolson was influential in standardizing the actions of safety professionals on the various worksites, which helped balance productivity, accountability and morale within her team.

“Throughout my career, I’ve met people who’ve inspired me into action through their vision,” she said. “In those times, I found a cause beyond myself which sparked a realization that the best people in the world possess a natural ability to draw out our talents and passions. When we are around them, we feel like our best selves. I try to be that person for others.”

Top 10 Under 40: Unveiling the next generation of safety heroes

When the pandemic hit last March, Vrolson and her team went into “fight mode” as they individually and collectively responded to the new and unknown threats that impacted nearly every aspect of their lives.

“I am deeply grateful to work with a team of incredible safety professionals who stepped up and leaned in to respond to the taxing demands,” she said, noting emotional and mental health rose dramatically in significance.

“As the provinces continue to progress (towards) reopening, we need to continue advocating and supporting people’s mental health, offering our energy when we can, and encouraging others to do the same.”

Vrolson earned her CRSP designation in 2014.