What To Do If An Injury Happens
Injuries can be physical and psychological. This page is mainly about the steps to take when a physical injury happens. Learn about what to do when the injury is psychological.
When the injury is physical, here’s what you need to know to kick start their treatment, safe recovery at work, and WCB claim. This short video tells you what you should do when a physical injury happens.
1. Take care of your people
Make sure the worker gets first aid and any medical help they need.
2. Send them for an assessment
If it’s a sprain or strain injury, tell them to see a WCB-approved physiotherapist or chiropractor for an assessment, which we will cover.
3. Fix the hazard
It’s also important to fix the issue that caused the injury as soon as possible—to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
4. Talk about work changes right away
As soon as possible, discuss how your worker can stay at work safely so they don’t miss time. This might mean temporary changes to their current duties or assigning different tasks they can do without risk. Taking action early can help workers recover faster and help keep your WCB rates down.
5. Report the injury
If the worker missed time, or needed medical treatment, submit an injury report through MyAccount. Fill out the report together with the worker if you can. If that is not possible, don’t wait—send it right away.
Make reporting a rule
Make it a rule for your workers to report all workplace injuries when they occur—and before they leave work for the day. Timely reporting of injuries allows you to collect information to understand the cause—and fix the hazard that caused the injury.
Remember, the WCB must receive an injury report within 5 business days after the injury was reported to you. Penalties can apply if reports are late.
How to report an injury
For physical injuries, the quickest and easiest way to report an injury is online via MyAccount. You can also fill out a WCB Injury Report Form (PDF) and fax it to 902-491-8001. Sending by regular mail is also an option. However, we recommend using MyAccount for the quickest response.
6. If they need time away, stay connected
If the worker requires time off work to recover, don’t lose touch—staying connected shows you care and helps them return more quickly. Don’t wait for the claims process to unfold—start supporting their return right away. Early conversations about transitional work and accommodations can help them return sooner and help keep your rates down.
Learn more about return to work for employers.
Reporting serious injuries
A serious injury or incident is one that endangers life or causes permanent injury.
You must notify the Occupational Health and Safety Division at the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration whenever a serious injury happens at your workplace. Call or send the notice in writing within the following deadlines:
Fatalities: report immediately
Serious injury: report as soon as possible, within 24 hours
- Unconsciousness
- Fracture of the skull, spine, pelvis, arm, leg, ankle, wrist or a major part of the hand or foot
- Loss or amputation of a leg, arm, hand, foot, finger, or toe
- Third-degree burn
- Loss of sight in one or both eyes
- Asphyxiation or poisoning
- Any injury that requires admission to hospital
- Any injury that endangers life
Serious incident: report as soon as possible, within 24 hours
- An accidental explosion
- A major structural failure or collapse of a building or other structure
- A major release of a hazardous substance
- A fall from a work area where fall protection is required by the regulations
Report:
Phone: 1-800-952-2687 (1-800-9LABOUR) or 902-424-5400
Mail: OHS Division
PO Box 697
Halifax, NS B3J 2T8
Email: ohsdivision@novascotia.ca
Learn about what happens after a claim is opened.