March 27, 2009 – Halifax, NS – While the human and financial impact of workplace injury still cuts far too deeply in our province, Nova Scotians are more optimistic when it comes to the likelihood of workplace injury than many in Canada, according to recent research commissioned by the Workers’ Compensation Board.

In a survey conducted by Corporate Research Associates (CRA) in November 2008, 45 percent of Nova Scotia respondents agreed that workplace injuries are an inevitable part of life – down 6 percentage points from the year before.

Used by workers’ compensation organizations across the country to gauge workplace safety culture, the statistic has decreased over the past several years in Nova Scotia, and is now 10 percentage points lower than the national average.

"It's encouraging that the survey results are moving in the right direction, but there’s still a disturbing suggestion of complacency about workplace safety that underlines the need for a culture change in Nova Scotia," said Shelley Rowan, the WCB's Vice President of Strategy and Employee Engagement. "Someone is hurt on the job every 15 minutes in this province, so there’s still work to be done."

While the survey results are encouraging, Rowan says it’s still unacceptable that 45 percent of Nova Scotians believe workplace injury is an inevitable part of life. Only 37 percent feel the same way about injuries caused by drinking and driving.

A national survey by Ipsos Reid indicates that 55 percent of Canadians feel workplace injury is inevitable.

The WCB research also shows a 12 percent increase in the number of employed Nova Scotians who personally feel they can do something to make their workplace safer. In fact, more than one-half of employed residents have actually done something in the past year to make their workplace safer, including better maintenance of work areas, undertaking more training, or participating in safety programs.

If they encountered an unsafe condition, most workers indicated they would report it to their manager or supervisor, while a small number would take care of the issue themselves.

"Our research shows that most Nova Scotians are concerned about workplace safety, and progress is being made towards creating a safety culture in this province," said Don Mills, President and CEO of CRA. "That said, workplace injury remains a serious issue and there's plenty of room for improvement."

About the Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia: The Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB) is committed to keeping Nova Scotians safe and secure from workplace injury. The WCB provides workplace injury insurance for more than 18,000 employers, representing about 300,000 workers across the province. The WCB sets the standard for workplace injury insurance by informing and inspiring Nova Scotians in the prevention of workplace injury. If an injury occurs, the WCB supports those whose lives it touches by championing a timely return to safe and healthy work.

Corporate Research Associates: These results are part of the CRA Atlantic Quarterly®, an independent, quarterly survey of Atlantic Canadians, and are based on a sample of 400 adult Nova Scotians conducted from November 17 to 30, 2008, with results accurate to within +/- 4.9 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.

For more information, please contact:

Julie Trites
Communications Advisor
Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia
902.491.8103
902.220.0616 (cell)
julie.trites@wcb.gov.ns.ca