Safety Matters

June 11 is an annual day of remembrance of miners who died on the job in Nova Scotia, and a reminder of the importance of advocating for workplace safety.

In this op-ed piece, WCB Nova Scotia CEO Stuart MacLean challenges all Nova Scotians to keep making workplace safety a priority long after the pandemic is over.

One of the first key steps to knowing how to prevent injuries in your workplace is to understand where and why they’re happening. No matter where you work, WCB Nova Scotia’s Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Risk Mapping Tool can be used to help identify, assess, and control injury hazards to help reduce injuries.

Workplace injury cost Nova Scotia’s economy the equivalent of 3,131 person-years of work in 2020 – a staggering statistic that underlines a call to action for workers, employers, and health care providers across the province.

A spotlight on mental health has been emerging in recent years, but this past year has certainly raised the importance of taking care of each other from a psychological health and wellness perspective.

Leaders set the tone in any organization, especially when it comes to workplace safety.

Focus, dedication and collaboration are key components to making safety an integral part of workplace culture. Autoport Limited have demonstrated these and were recently recognized through WCB Nova Scotia’s Workplace Recognition Program as a leader and champion that is committed to preventing workplace injuries and to promoting an early and safe return to the workplace.

For many young workers, part-time and summer jobs looked different this year. In addition to learning job responsibilities and how to work safely, they also had to learn how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while on the job.

Especially after a long spring spent indoors, the summer heat has come for many as a welcome relief. The sunshine makes it easier to engage in safe and physically distanced recreational activities, like hitting the patio, tennis court, or beach.

While the summer season is typically a time when many Nova Scotians step back and relax after the rigours of a long winter, it’s still important to be aware of warm-weather safety hazards, and take steps to reduce risk.