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A lot has changed in health and safety since Shirley Hickman, co-founder of, lost her son Tim to a workplace incident in 1996.

Hickman was a speaker at the annual general meeting held recently in Mississauga, Ont.

“Often when we think about the word change, for many people it brings anxious feelings to the surface,” Hickman told the crowd. “Today, let’s not focus on those day-to-day changes but perhaps reflect on what changes in occupational health and safety you have seen in your working days. Perhaps you have been part of making that awareness or the necessary change or thinking about a future to ensure that all workers come home well and safe at the end of their day.”

Hickman lost her son two days before his 21st birthday.

“Tim was a full-time college student at Fanshawe College in London, taking business courses and working part time in the arena,” said Hickman. “With his love of sports, particularly hockey, his part time job in the arena was a really good fit for him.”

A birthday celebration that never happened

He went to work in the morning on March 23, 1996 and never came home.

“Our family was preparing to celebrate his 21st birthday, quite a milestone for your child,” said Hickman. “There were several of Tim’s friends who were planning to go out that Saturday evening, so the message at 6:30 in the morning when Tim was preparing his breakfast and his lunch at the counter was the ‘drinking and driving safe path home’ message.”

That birthday celebration never happened.

“Instead, those friends joined our family in the hospital waiting room. No one knew what to say or what to do,” said Hickman. “What had happened? Other than that there had been an explosion and Tim had been badly burned. We didn’t know much else, nor did it seem to matter.”

Tim died 10 days later and was buried on Easter Saturday, Hickman recalled.

“A split second had changed our lives and our future dreams forever,” she said. “Was it that phone call? Or was it the moment we realized that this was real, Tim isn’t coming home.”

After Tim’s death she began to realize there was no opportunity in the investigation or the legal system for the voice of family.

“That is the day I made a commitment to myself to do something productive and positive with our love for Tim,” said Hickman. “I had no idea what I would end up getting into. Love is the beginning and the only reason for the start of my path into workplace injury prevention. It is love that has given me the motivation and energy to do what I do. If I can prevent one family from having to learn how to live with a workplace injury, occupational illness or someone who did not come home at all then I will have made a difference.”

20 years of making a difference

For over 20 years she has been committed to making a difference. In 2002 she co-founded the Association for Workplace Tragedy and Family Support known as Threads of Life. She is currently the executive director. The organization helps families affected by workplace fatalities, life altering injuries or occupational disease along their journey of healing.

“What we know now is that everyone needs support,” said Hickman. “We have learned much about mental illness and PTSD than was ever recognized years ago.

“Personally, I’m glad at the world of support being offered to family members and the workers has changed,” she added. “I believe it is a step in the right direction.”

She also talked about the investigation and the legal system.

“When you enter the courtroom or any room where you’re going to hear about the tragedy, the wound that was starting to form on your heart gets ripped wide open again,” Hickman recalled. “It happens again and again. This process is long and arduous. Whatever normal grief is, it is put on hold during the investigation and the legal proceedings. You anticipate hearing the details. You want justice, but the truth there is no justice. Nothing is going to change the outcome. The family member who was injured isn’t going to be uninjured. The worker who died is not coming home.”

Every family she meets shares similar struggles.

“How to get through that special day: an anniversary, Christmas, a wedding, a birth,” said Hickman. “Each happy moment carries a burden of sadness also. Yet we honour Tim’s life and we know his legacy has made a difference to many families across Canada.”

The IHSA and Threads of Life are working together on a special initative with more details to be announced in the near future.

Follow the author on X/Twitter @DCN_Angela.