Kevin Swinden doesn’t care for titles. In his view, labels add unnecessary hierarchy to workplaces where collaboration and safety should stand above ego. Though officially the founder and president of Global Hazmat, he simply refers to himself as “the owner.”

With over 30 years immersed in the world of hazardous materials, Swinden has seen firsthand how complacency and disconnection between safety and hazmat management can lead to disaster. “We’ve drawn an artificial line between safety and hazardous materials,” he explains. “They should be part of the same conversation, not separate silos.”

He points out that this divide is particularly visible within Canadian organizations where EHS professionals often wear multiple hats unlike in the United States, where roles are typically more specialized. “That gap leaves workers exposed,” he states firmly. Closing this gap has been the driving force behind his career.