were many women before me in construction.” Although,
she conceded that when she started out, it did surprise some
people.
Tattle recalled an experience when she was called to a site
meeting just a week after her daughter was born.
“I brought my newborn into the trailer with 25 men.
Everybody was startled for a moment, then just stood up and
moved things around to make room for her baby seat – they
were really surprised. Now, people are more open to flexible
work hours and understand that there are things people have
to deal with in their home lives,” she said.
“Studies have shown that companies that have a mix of
men and women decision-makers are more successful, as they
have a broader perspective and a more creative range of ideas,”
said Tattle. “There are sound business reasons to do it as well.”
Tattle was chosen as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most
Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network in both
2008 as a “Trailblazers and Trendsetter” and then again in
the “Professionals” category in 2010, and that year she also
received the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Engineering
2T5 Mid-career Achievement Award. She is a director of
the Toronto Construction Association and a Fellow of the
Canadian Academy of Engineering. Although she is proud to
be a role model for young women considering careers in engineering
or construction, she says that awards such as these are
an honour for everyone at Anchor Shoring.
IMPROVING SAFETY FOR VULNERABLE WORKERS
“Safety has always been a core value with
me,” said Tattle. She began by serving
on the Ontario Ministry of Labour’s
Vulnerable Worker Task Group and was
subsequently appointed in 2013 by
the Minister of Labour to serve on The
Prevention Council, which focuses on
provincial-wide safety across all industries
in Ontario, not just construction. Recently,
Ontario amended its Occupational Health
and Safety Act to specify new technical
and operational safety measures and
procedures for rotary foundation drill rigs,
and as of July 1, 2016, will require drill rig
operators to be trained and certified. It is
the only Canadian jurisdiction to do so.
Tattle also lectures part-time at the
University of Toronto’s Civil Engineering
program, where she speaks about
safety in construction, to educate young
engineers “about their rights as workers
and what to look for, what to expect on a
construction site,” she said. “I’d like them
to be aware of the hazards that exist and
be prepared to know how to look after
themselves. It isn’t enough just to be
careful of what you’re doing – you have to
be aware of what everyone else is doing.”
Anchor rigs at the Yorkdale
expansion project
COMPANY PROFILE
CONTINUED ON PAGE 52
50 Q1 2016 www.pilingcanada.ca
/www.pilingcanada.ca
