Mike Geisler – Health and Safety Officer, Canada

Even though he recently began a new job at the Centre, Mike Geisler has worked here for more than ten years, and has a wealth of health and safety experience. From first aid to WHMIS, to ergonomics, and pandemic planning, Mike is the health and safety go-to guy on campus.

How long have you been working at the Centre? What first brought you here?
I’ve been working here since November 1997 – I was working as a manager at the Hudson’s Bay Company in Banff and was told of a job opportunity as a steam engineer here by former associate director Silvio Adamo, who was a firefighter with me at the time, and is now the Banff Fire Chief.

You recently returned to the Centre to take on a new role. How long were you gone, and what were you up to?
I was gone 13 months to the date. I had started my own company called High Standard Safety Training and I was teaching first aid. I was contracted to numerous companies including Suncor, Kal Tire, and the RCMP.

What are you enjoying most about your new position as Health and Safety officer?
I love the interaction with all the people and departments – they are so interesting and diverse. There is no other institution on earth where in the space of six hours and 43 acres of a walkabout, I can visit 28 different work areas and see 28 different processes going on.

What are you looking forward to doing in this position?
I want to make our Health and Safety program something that people don’t take for granted – I want it to become second nature to our staff, guests, and visitors that we will provide a healthy, injury-free workplace for everyone. I always say to new staff during orientation, that we are here for four things: make money, have fun, learn and create, and enjoy everything this amazing part of the world has to offer us.

— Danielle O'Hanley