Keeping safety top of mind on Darlington Refurb

Nuclear power isn’t anything new to Christina Preston. The Health and Safety Advisor working on the Darlington Refurbishment, Canada’s largest clean energy project, has a family history in the industry.

Her father, a journeyman electrician of more than 45 years, helped build Darlington Nuclear Generating Station in the 1980s. Her two brothers also have decades of experience in nuclear. Now Preston is working at the station as part of the Darlington Refurbishment’s SNC­Lavalin/Aecon joint venture.

“I’m the first person new hires meet for their health and safety orientation,” the Aecon employee says. “Everybody wants to feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. I enjoy working on this project — it’s history in the making.”

The 10 ­year, $12.8 ­billion Darlington Refurbishment will prolong the station’s life by another 30 years, providing Ontario with decades of clean, reliable base load power while generating nearly $90 billion in economic benefits.

As a Health and Safety Advisor, Preston develops safe work plans, coordinates site inspections and ensures trades are performing their work safely.

But her path to Darlington Nuclear wasn’t always a given, even with her family’s background. She says it took a series of turning points in her life to get to where she is now.

“I remember being in Grade 10 and a female electrician came in to talk to the girls about how being an electrician was a possibility for us as well as the boys,” Preston says. “In hindsight, I can definitely say this was one of those pivotal moments that impacted the choice I made.”

After earning a degree in Physical Education and Health Promotion from Laurentian University and a post­graduate certificate in Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion from Centennial College, Preston took on a few odd jobs, but her focus remained on her trade of choice – electrician. She started her trade in 2003 with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers after completing school.

“I’ve always been mechanically inclined,” she said, “and I thought that my education in health and wellness coupled with a skilled trade background would make a good foundation for a job in health and safety.”

A Red Seal journeyman electrician, Preston first began working at OPG’s Darlington and Pickering nuclear stations as a safety advisor before moving on to her current position. While the work is challenging, it’s the people that make all the difference, she said.

“The work is fast­-paced and it’s a steep learning curve,” Preston said. “But I like where I am now. The people you work with can make or break a job, and I really like the people I work with. I think I like the camaraderie (on this project) more than anything.”