The Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety regime is undergoing a complete overhaul, with potential huge impacts for employers respecting cost of compliance and risk of liability. The changes are part of the five-year Workplace Safety Strategy, a joint initiative between the Department of Labour and Advanced Education and the Workers’ Compensation Board. The Strategy was developed in direct response to a recognition that the old system—a piecemeal assortment of rules and regulations—was tough to navigate and produced inconsistency in interpretation and enforcement.
The myriad of regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act are being gradually consolidated into the all-embracing Workplace Health and Safety Regulations. At the same time, significant amendments are being made. A table summarizing the status of these amendments appears below.
The first phase of amendments came into effect this Fall. Administrative penalties were a major focus. Noteworthy changes included a shift in:
The second phase of changes are presently in draft form, with public comment open until February 27, 2015. The draft amendments propose big changes to a number of industry-specific regulations, but also introduce important amendments of general application. Of particular importance is the section on Occupational Health, which is a fresh addition to the new Regulations. It addresses environmental hazards such as air quality, temperature, vibration, chemical exposure, and sound exposure. Notably, it requires a hearing surveillance and conservation program for noisy workplaces.
In addition, Phase II offers some guidance—but also introduces heavy burdens—to Health and Safety Committees and Representatives. For example, Committees must have specific rules of procedure, and all members will be required to undergo at least 21 hours of training within 90 days of being appointed to the Committee. This training must be performed by a qualified instructor.
Amendments have already been made that affect every workplace, and more are on the horizon. In light of these sweeping changes, reliance on outdated advice and policies will almost certainly put employers at risk of penalty or prosecution.
Workplace Health and Safety Regulations
The following table sets out the present status of the consolidation and amendments to the Workplace Health and Safety Regulations.
| Topic | Old | New | Status |
| Occupational Health | *new | Part 2 | Yes Phase 2 amendments |
| WHMIS | WHMIS Regulations | Part 3 | No |
| First Aid | Occupational Health and Safety First Aid Regulations | Part 4 | Phase 2 |
| Sanitation and Accomodation | Part 4 | Part 5 | Phase 2 |
| Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) | Part 3 | Part 6 | Phase 2 |
| Handling and Storage of Materials | Part 5 | Part 7 | No |
| Tools | Part 9 | Part 8 | No |
| Mechanical Safety and Robotics | Part 8 | Part 9 | No |
| Cranes, Hoists and Mobile Equipment | Part 7 | Part 10 | No |
| Lock-out | Part 6 | Part 11 | No |
| Premises and Building Safety | Part 13 | Part 12 | No |
| Construction and Demolition | Part 13 | Part 13 | No |
| Excavations and Trenches | Part 14 | Part 14 | Phase 2 |
| Electrical Safety | Part 11 | Part 15 | No |
| Welding, Cutting, Burning and Soldering | Part 10 | Part 16 | No |
| Equipment for Firefighters | Part 16 | Part 17 | No |
| Blasting Safety | Blasting Safety Regulations | Part 18 | Phase 2 |
| Confined Spaces | Part 12 | Part 19 | Phase 2 |
| Surface Mine Workings | Part 15 | Part 20 | Phase 2 |
| Fall Protection | Fall Protection and Scaffolding Regulations | Part 21 | Yes |
| Work Requiring Rope Access | *new | Part 22 | Yes |
| Scaffolds and Other Elevated Work-platforms | Fall Protection and Scaffolding Regulations | Part 23 | Yes |
| Temporary Workplaces on Highways | *new | Part 24 | Yes |
| Occupational Diving | Occupational Diving Regulations | Part 25 | Phase 2 |
| Violence in the Workplace | Violence in the Workplace Regulations | Part 26 | No |
| Health and Safety Committees and Representatives | *new | Part 27 | Phase 2 |
| Not Allocated | Part 28 | ||
| Not Allocated | Part 29 | ||
| Reviews and Appeals | Occupational Health and Safety Appeal Panel Regulations | Part 30 | Yes |
| Administrative Penalties | Occupational Health and Safety Administrative Penalties Regulations | Part 31 | Yes |
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