 For Austin Pitman of Pitman Safety Solutions, his business isn’t just inspired by passion, but by deep, personal connections and lived experiences that have been passed down through four generations. “My great-grandfather served on horseback in the trenches of Europe during World War I,” Austin explained. “Of the full regiment he left with, he was one of only fifty who came home. After surviving a war on foreign soil, he was killed just six months later in an industrial accident while working in a factory. His death changed the course of my family forever.” Austin’s grandfather became one of the founding members of what is today the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) after his father’s death, and he spent his life advocating for safety workplaces after returning from World War II as a Typhoon Pilot. Austin’s father also experienced a severe workplace injury as a young worker, further cementing the family's passion for safety and prevention. “He was burned from the waist up in a preventable workplace incident,” said Austin. “He survived – and he used that experience to teach me about courage, responsibility, and the importance of standing up for those who safety depends on someone speaking up. Those lessons shaped who I became.” Now, Austin is the fourth generation of his family to carry on the legacy and passion of health and safety. Austin has spent 4 years in fire service, over 18 years as a medical responder, and 12 years as a Professional Care Instructor for the Red Cross. And over those years, he has witnessed many accidents and tragedies – all of which pushed him further to create Pitman Safety Solutions, a comprehensive health and safety consulting service for municipalities, emergency services, industrial operations, and small to medium-sized businesses that need reliable safety support without the cost of a full-time health and safety hire. “We deliver scalable solutions, including full Health and Safety Program Development,” Austin explained. “We conduct workplace inspections and audits aligned with OHSA, NFPA, and CSA standards, incident investigations, policy writing, emergency management planning, and a wide range of competency-based training programs.” Pitman Safety Solutions has been running for just over a year, and services West Lorne, Elgin County, Middlesex, and Chatham Kent. Their specialized emergency services packages further enhance readiness for fire services, EMS, and industrial response teams, while their safety product line under the Pitman Industries banner provides practical tools to keep workers safe – like their CSA/ANSI-compliant Truckladders. “For organizations with limited internal capacity, we offer ongoing retention and monitoring services, ensuring documentation stays compliant; hazards are identified early, and your safety program is continually updated and supported,” explained Austin. “Whether you’re a growing business or a large organization, we deliver practical, legislation-aligned services that provide strong safety coverage, reduce operational risk, and build a culture where every workplace voice is prioritized.” As an emergency responder and Ministry of Labour Industrial Inspector, Austin saw a critical gap in many small and medium-sized businesses who needed strong health and safety support but couldn’t afford or didn’t have enough workload for a full-time safety professional. “I saw how employers often struggled with compliance, outdated programs, and uncertainty about responsibilities under OHSA,” Austin explained. “Offering consulting services became a way for me to provide professional-level safety support for these businesses at a manageable cost, ensuring that they stay compliant, safe, and prepared.” Pitman Safety Solutions was founded through lived experience, family history, passion, and deep-rooted care for workers, their families, and communities. “My mission and philosophy are deeply personal, and set in generations of lived experience,” said Austin. “I believe that no workplace voice is too small, and that everyone should have a voice in safety.” A self-described ‘full-blown nerd’ when it comes to fire service, medical response, and workplace safety, Austin’s deep care and passion is evident, and comes from a place of purpose. “In my career I’ve held the hands of workers in their final moments, listened to them call out for their families, and witnessed the raw grief of coworkers desperate to save a friend,” he said. “I’ve seen a 6’6” rail track maintainer – a giant of a man – collapse crying while holding his best friend that was having an airway emergency at a tunnel derailment that spanned an international border. I’ve investigated the aftermath of tragedies where systems meant to protect people...failed them. And I’ve stood with grown adults who broke into tears, asking how something so devastating could happen. Those moments stay with you, and they either break you or drive you.” For Austin, they lit a fire under him – pushing him to create a service that would help prevent these tragedies from happening. “I started Pitman Safety Solutions because no one should have to experience what my family has lived through, or what I have seen firsthand,” Austin explained. “Everyone deserves the chance to go home at the end of the day. To have a workplace where their voice matters, where hazards are addressed before they harm someone, and where safety is more than just paperwork.” Austin works with businesses through first-hand involvement, real-world field experience, and tailored program development to develop customized health and safety programs, conduct workplace inspections, complete hazard assessments, provide ongoing monitoring, and offers continuous support to ensure every program is implemented and maintained effectively. He stays involved with businesses through his retention services, monthly document reviews, on-site visits, virtual check-ins, and 24/7 support for full-service clients. “Our hand-on, proactive approach to workplace safety goes far beyond the typical ‘binder on a shelf’ approach,” Austin explained. “Our fully customized safety programs are tailored to each workplace’s unique risks and are made with our deep frontline experience in firefighting, emergency response, industrial inspection, and regulatory compliance knowledge and lived experience.” Small business owners often wear many hats and are responsible for so many elements of day-to-day operations. Sometimes this leads to outdated safety information, unclear understandings or expectations, and limited time and money. But Austin reminds business owners that at the core of their business, they need to keep people safe. And with confidence in understanding safety programs, training, and obligations, business owners can keep themselves and their employees safe – starting right here in our St. Thomas and Elgin County communities. As a West Lorne local and Paid-on-Call Firefighter, Austin wanted his business to support and protect the local organizations and workers in his communities. During his time with the Ministry of Labour, Elgin County was his inspection area, which gave him a deep understanding of the region’s industries, municipalities, and the challenges that local employers and workers face. Over the years Austin has seen firsthand the dedication, resilience, and pride that defines our communities. “I’ve had the privilege of serving the very community I now support through my consulting work,” Austin said proudly. “I knew I wanted to build something that gave back to the people who shaped my career.” Being local also means quicker service, as Austin is able to show up when businesses and employees need help. The local fire departments, municipal teams, businesses and workers have welcomed his services and have entrusted him with their safety needs – something Austin doesn’t take lightly. Known as a firefighter and a safety professional, Austin has worked hard to build a strong foundation of trust with his communities, an integral part of small business in St. Thomas and Elgin County. “Our communities are built on relationships, and those relationships have helped my business grow into something meaningful- a local partner committed to keeping our workplaces safe and our people protected.” Pitman Safety Solutions offers a variety of packages; all custom built in house by Austin. Each safety program is created to meet Ontario OHSA requirements, NFPA standards, and Section 21 guidance, ensuring they are compliant, practical, and specifically tailored to the client’s operations in an affordable and approachable manner. Pitman Safety Solutions offers an Emergency Services Health & Safety Package designed specifically for Fire, EMS, and Industrial ERT, Fully Customized Safety Plans, Retention Packages, First Aid & Advanced Emergency Medical Training (Red Cross Certified), Fire Department Safety Officer Services, One-Stop Compliance & Documentation Support, and more. Pitman Safety Solutions has grown to offer specialized programs and services tailored to the needs of their clients and has moved from starting out with reactive work to proactive, long-term partnerships – all driven by Austin’s knowledge, passion, and drive to make sure everyone goes home safe each day. “I’m humbled every time I’m asked to talk about myself, because this business isn’t about me,” Austin explained. “It’s about the workers I’ve met, the families impacted by preventable incidents, and the belief that we can do better.” As a small business, Austin knows the challenges entrepreneurs and business owners face firsthand, but he finds motivation in his work. By helping people, especially small businesses, Pitman Safety Solutions can take one major worry off business owners' plates by handling their health and safety needs. As a small business, Austin can offer hand-on support, custom programs, and a relationship-based approach; something larger firms often struggle with. But he also knows that small businesses are the backbone of communities like St. Thomas and West Elgin. “They’re run by people who are juggling families, long hours, tight budgets, and an enormous amount of responsibility,” Austin said. “When you support a small business, you’re not just buying a service, you’re helping a neighbour succeed, keeping money in the local economy, and strengthening the community you live in. For me, I am able to help my community safer, stronger, and better equipped to care for its people.” Austin reminds us that starting a small business is scary, but we can succeed when we focus on impact over perfection. Small businesses don’t need to have every answer on day one; they just need to care enough to keep learning, keep helping, and keep pushing forward. The rest comes with time, effort, and a lot of heart – along with help from community members, resources, and fellow businesses like Pitman Safety Solutions. How to get in touch
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
