Workplace Safety is a Priority

Occupational Health and Safety officers visited more than 50 work sites over the last few weeks to keep fall protection a priority.

Officers conducted unannounced inspections at both residential and commercial work sites to share information, raise awareness and check compliance with workplace safety rules.

"Keeping our workers safe is a priority and proactive initiatives like these have a big impact on safety," said Labour and Advanced Education Minister Kelly Regan. "Targeted inspections help us educate workers and employers so they understand their role in maintaining a safe work environment."

Results included:

• 53 inspections
• 63 orders issued for infractions including lack of fall protection, lack of fall protection training, improper scaffolding set-up
• 27 warnings for concerns like lack of first-aid training and lack of Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System training

Occupational Health and Safety officers partnered with the Workers' Compensation Board and the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency to share information on injury prevention and certification requirements.

Targeted inspections like these are an important part of government's efforts to improve workplace safety. Officers have already exceeded the total number of targeted inspections of high-risk employers and industries conducted last year. Since Jan. 1, more than 997 targeted inspections have been conducted among 714 businesses, resulting in a total of 1,209 orders and 1,503 warnings issued.