Improving Workplace Safety

Nova Scotians will be safer at work with three regulations taking effect Tuesday, April 1.

"These new regulations aim to move workplaces closer to a culture where safety is a core value, with the emphasis on prevention," said Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour. "Consistent with government's competitiveness and compliance initiative, the changes also reduce administrative burden for organizations while ensuring equivalent levels of safety."

Violence in the Workplace Regulations adopted last year require some workplaces to have risk assessments completed and be implementing violence prevention plans by April 1.

The regulations apply to workplaces including healthcare and educational settings, places where correctional or security services are in use, businesses where money is exchanged or liquor is sold or consumed, and other places where employees interact with the public.

The Blasting Safety Regulations and the Blasting Trade Regulations also take effect April 1.

The Blasting Safety Regulations replace the General Blasting Regulations and eliminate duplication with the federal government for magazine licensing. They also update standards for public safety and work practices.

Under the Blasting Trade Regulations, the occupation of blaster will become a designated trade, with blasters required to re-certify every five years instead of every three.

More information on the regulations is available on the departments' websites at www.gov.ns.ca/enla and www.ednet.ns.ca , or by calling 1-800-LABOUR (1-800-952-2687).