News Release Archive
LABOUR--NEW FIRST AID REGULATIONS
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Nova Scotia will have a new set of first aid regulations
effective Jan. 1, Labour Minister Manning MacDonald announced
today.
The new rules will support workplace health and safety for all
Nova Scotians. The new regulations are more responsive to the
needs of individual workers and workplaces, and will add
flexibility while ensuring high-quality first aid.
The vast majority of the new rules are based on recommendations
from the Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety Advisory
Council. These recommendations were developed after an extensive,
two-year consultation and review period by a working group of
employee and employer representatives, including resource people
from the Canadian Red Cross Society and St. John Ambulance.
One major change is the addition of Red Cross as a recognized
provider of first aid training. Previously, St. John Ambulance
was the only recognized supplier of training in the province.
Both St. John Ambulance and Red Cross have a solid reputation for
providing high-quality training on a national and international
level. Opening up the regulations is consistent with government's
philosophy of fair and open competition. It will give Nova
Scotians a choice.
The department reviewed the course content and quality assurance
programs of both agencies and found they met accepted standards.
Other jurisdictions, including the federal government and a
number of other provinces, already recognize St. John Ambulance
and Red Cross.
Other changes include special requirements for ensuring first aid
in remote locations. As well, the regulations now allow for a
first aid agreement on multi-employer sites -- where one party
takes responsibility for coordinating first aid training.
For the first time, various hazard levels are identified,
including the distinction between offices and other workplaces.
There are some allowable exemptions for special workplaces, such
as hospitals with emergency rooms. As well, the new regulations
include new definitions and additions to the first aid kit (e.g.
latex gloves), recognizing the existence of transmittable
diseases.
The new regulations bring Nova Scotia's standards up-to-date and
into the 1990s, the minister said. In addition to supporting
government's commitment to health and safety, they ensure quality
and increase our responsiveness to a variety of workplaces and
situations.
The last major revision to the first aid regulations was in 1988.
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Contact: Jennifer MacIsaac 902-424-3219
902-424-4680
Jim LeBlanc 902-424-8477
mfm Sept. 6, 1996 10:25 a.m.
