More than a Meeting
How PNE’s Safety Committees Drive Culture Change
In dynamic industries such as performing arts, live events, and motion picture, safety committees are often the unsung heroes behind the scenes. Safety committees do more than fulfill a regulatory requirement—they build culture, amplify worker voices, and help prevent incidents.
Few understand this better than Mark Knowles, occupational health and safety manager at the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE). In a unique workplace where concerts, major events, and amusement rides converge in one complex, the ever-changing environment at the
PNE means Mark and his team must constantly anticipate the needs of their staff to ensure everyone goes home safely at the end of the shift. And that’s where their occupational health and safety committee comes in.
Best practices from the field
“Our committee includes people from across the organization—public safety, maintenance, operations, custodial, trades, union reps, and more,” Mark explains. “This cross-functional structure ensures no safety concern gets overlooked and everyone has a seat at the table.”
Together, he and his team have created a safety culture that not only encourages participation but also makes everyone feel like they have a voice. There’s a recognition that it’s the expertise and insight from those on the ground that allows the committee to provide the training and education workers need to stay safe.
Best practices from their experience include the following:
- Equal (or greater) worker representation: Involve people who truly understand the work and can bring forward real issues for
improvement. - Committee training: Ensure that every member is trained in inspections, investigations, hazard identification, and right-to-refuse procedures.
- Hands-on communication: Build trust by engaging with workers, asking questions, and listening. It’s not enough to talk the talk—you need to walk the walk.
- Toolbox talks that reflect real risks: Create job-specific toolbox talks that staff can apply to their work.
Creating a culture of trust and proactive safety
With over 2,000 new and young workers every year and many contractors, building a strong safety culture is a priority for the PNE—and it takes time. But the payoff is clear.
“We’ve built a culture where people feel safe speaking up,” says Mark. “That’s what I’m most proud of. You’re not going to get in trouble for pointing something out—especially if it’s unsafe.”
Committee members with decades of experience offer continuity and mentorship. And rather than prescribing all the answers, Mark focuses on empowerment—helping departments develop their own standard operating procedures and guiding them to take ownership.
It’s not about me telling them what to do. It’s about helping them think it through so they can incorporate safety into their day-to-day decisions.
Contractors are also required to sign a safety agreement, attend in-person safety meetings, and register with WorkSafeBC. This registration ensures that the PNE is notified when contractors are delinquent on their safety record and could pose a risk to the organization.
“Contactors are not employees,” says Mark. “They don’t know our policies like we do, so we do the legwork—orientations, follow-ups, inspections. It’s about protecting everyone on site.”
Responding to workplace violence, bullying, and harassment
With major public events—including the FIFA World Cup in 2026—violence prevention has become a central focus. The PNE has implemented significant upgrades in recent years: cashless vendors to reduce theft risk, metal detectors at entrances, and stronger partnerships with the Vancouver Police Department and BC Emergency Health Services.
The committee is actively involved in supporting safe environments for both staff and guests.
“We go through violence-prevention policies and review how to react to incidents—what to do and what not to do. We’re proactive
about crowd control and public safety.”
Addressing bullying and harassment is another priority, and open communication plays a crucial role.
“We’ve worked hard to build trust. It’s easier for someone to raise a concern when they know they’ll be heard.”
For anyone looking to improve their safety committee’s impact, Mark’s advice is simple.
Make it real. Make it relevant. Bring in people who care and want to make a difference. When you walk the walk, people follow—and that’s how you change culture.
