Kumar Barathan

Safety & Asset Protection Advisor @Tolko Industries

Meadow Lake, SK, CA

Tolko Industries Ltd, founded in 1956 by the Thorlakson family, is a third-generation, family-owned company and a leader in North America’s wood products industry. The name Tolko comes from every second letter of the Thorlokson family name. Tolko operates three SBB (Strategic Business Units) plants, including Meadow Lake, Slave Lake, and High Level, each playing a crucial role in producing high-quality engineered wood products and supporting the company’s growth and innovation. With a focus on sustainability, innovation, and community well-being, Tolko is committed to producing high-quality Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and engineered wood products. The Meadow Lake facility is integral to this mission, producing premium OSB while maintaining operational excellence and safety. A key milestone for Tolko is the Slave Lake mill, which opened in 2006 and houses one of North America’s largest continuous OSB presses. This innovative facility is the only one in North America capable of producing both OSB and Laminated Strand Lumber (LSL) on the same line, underscoring Tolko’s leadership in engineered wood products.Responsibilities-Advised the Plant Manager on Safety compliance, inspections, and regulatory updates-Coordinated safety audits and site-wide CorePoint safety reporting-Oversaw new hire orientations, safety certifications, and continuous training programs-Collaborated on the development of safety program elements and emergency plans-Identified improvement areas to enhance workplace safety and team engagement.Expertise-Occupational Health & Safety Compliance | Incident Investigations-Safety Training & Orientation | Emergency Preparedness-Safety Audits | Inspection Planning | Safety Program Administration