Alan Quilley

"Thought Provoker", Change Agent, Educator, Writer, Consultant, Mentor and Professional Presenter

A best-selling author of a number of OH&S books, consultant and compelling speaker, Alan Quilley made a career of learning and applying the leading edge of occupational health & safety. Combining four decades of hands-on experience, a passion for “doing it right” and a presentation style that entertains and educates, he was a unique voice on the issue of safety excellence.

Alan’s quest saw him touching the work lives of tens of thousands of employees, supervisors and managers worldwide. His client list covered a broad spectrum of industry sectors that include oil, gas & petrochemical, police & fire services, transportation, construction and municipalities.

Alan didn’t know what he knew because he just read it somewhere… he did it. He worked with all levels of an organization, from CEOs through to the hourly paid workers who actually make safety happen.

Alan’s safety career took flight in 1976 when he became a safety coordinator with CN Rail. Evolving through a series of increasingly senior occupational health and safety positions, he had the opportunity to develop, test and refine his ideas through hands-on experience. He was an OH&S professional who led some of the largest OH&S units in Canada. His drive to educate others saw him actively involved with the University of Alberta and as a key figure in the development and delivery of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology’s occupational health and safety diploma program.

To complement his work as an educator, he combined his decades of experience with the best in behavioral and occupational health & safety research to quantify exactly what it takes to make companies safe. The result of his labours was his first book “The Emperor Has No Hard Hat: Achieving REAL Workplace Safety Results”, which received Honourable Mention among the Globe & Mail’s top ten business books of 2006. This book brought to life his concept of safety, which he called Integrated Safety Management System, shortened to ISMS (rhymes with “prisms”). As he described it, ISMS is a set of powerful, yet simple concepts that companies can adapt to their own unique situations. The system also taught safety personnel how to collect and analyze evidence that will verify that safety excellence has been achieved.

Alan’s subsequent books, “Creating & Maintaining a Practical Based Safety Culture”“How To Hold Great Safety Meetings – These meetings don’t suck anymore!”, and “MORE Creating & Maintaining a Practical Based Safety Culture – Turning Intention into Action“.  All of Alan’s books are available for purchase in the Safety Book section.

In 2006, after his extensive analysis and efforts to enhance the portfolio of services offered by Safety Results, Alan purchased the copyright to a CRSP Examination Preparation course. He created additional study material and turned this course into the gold standard of CRSP Exam Prep. He delivered his highly regarded courses and Workshops to 1000s of students, and we receive excellent testimonials and praise on our process, format, teaching style and our study material.

Alan gave back to the OH&S community by writing and submitting articles for a variety of safety related magazines.

In 2018, in response to the BCRSP’s launch of the CRST certification, Alan created study material and a new course for those seeking this designation.

Late 2020/early 2021, while in hospital and home for palliative care, Alan revised and created new content for the new CRSP 2020 Blueprint study material. The books were completed early April and sent the printer. Alan was so proud to be able to see his work come to fruition, particularly under the circumstances, but sadly, he passed away the day after they received the new material.   

Alan’s wife Marie has taken over the company and is carrying on with his amazing legacy. 


Qualifications & Achievements

Alan Quilley brought to his consulting and training practice a wealth of knowledge and experience. Among the highlights of his qualifications and achievements:

  • Forty years experience in OH&S management and training
  • Strong track record of obtaining significant results in reduced injuries and associated costs
  • Solid experience in the design and management of OH&S programs, many for the largest corporations in Canada
  • Extensive knowledge of federal and provincial OH&S legislation and regulations
  • Over thirty years accreditation as a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP)
  • Twelve years in the development and delivery of OH&S training through University of Alberta
  • Key member of the steering committee for the development and delivery of the NAIT Occupational Health & Safety diploma program
  • Executive experience as chair of the Alberta Municipal Safety Association and director of the Alberta Safety Council
  • Published author of “The Emperor Has No Hard Hat – Achieving REAL Workplace Safety Results”, “Creating & Maintaining a Practical Based Safety Culture”, “How To Hold Great Safety Meetings – These meetings don’t suck anymore!”, “MORE Creating & Maintaining a Practical Based Safety Culture – Turning Intention into Action”, CRSP Examination Preparation Manual, Workbook and Flash Cards, CRST Examination Preparation Manual and Workbook.

Testimonials

"Alan is a great instructor, and extremely knowledgeable about the subject matter. He brings personal experience to illustrate the concepts he is explaining. Great class."

"Alan's passion, wealth of knowledge and vast experience in OH&S has placed him on par with the world's leaders. His delivery style is unique and refreshing - he has the uncanny ability to make safety interesting and fun, while at the same time drives safety concepts and principles home!"

"Alan is a great instructor, and extremely knowledgeable about the subject matter. He brings personal experience to illustrate the concepts he is explaining. Great class."