Nova Scotia employers have an important role in keeping new and young workers safe this summer

While Nova Scotia’s injury rate is at an all-time low, people entering the workforce for the first time are more likely to be hurt.

HALIFAX, NS ­­­— As school ends and summer job season kicks into high gear, employers are welcoming new and young workers into the workplace. And those days of summer aren’t just longer and warmer, they also come with new workplace risks as new and young workers are more likely to be hurt on the job. 

Like injuries overall, young worker injuries are on the decline in Nova Scotia. The number of people under 25 hurt on the job has dropped from 602 in 2021 to 536 last year. There’s a particular drop among the youngest workers — 124 Nova Scotians under age 20 were hurt on the job in 2021, which dropped to 97 in 2025.

And those injuries to younger workers are more likely to happen in summer. On average, about 31% of injuries to workers under age 25 happen during the summer months, compared to 25% of injuries to workers 25 and over.

The most common injuries to young people include concussions, cuts, and lacerations. They happen most often in places like retail stores, restaurant kitchens, construction sites and more, as young workers get their first jobs.

WCB says protecting younger workers as they navigate the hazards of a first job needs to be a priority for everyone. No parent should ever receive a call that their child has been hurt — or worse — on the job.

"Summer jobs are often a first introduction to the workplace, and young workers need the training, supervision and support to stay safe and build successful careers here in Nova Scotia," said the Hon. Nolan Young, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration. "As we work to build a strong, skilled workforce for Nova Scotia's future, it's critical that we make sure workers stay safe on the job — including young people."

While everyone has a role to play in keeping Nova Scotians safe, employers are accountable to ensure young workers have the proper training, supervision, and tools to work safely. 

They also need to create a safety culture where speaking up and asking questions is encouraged. 

"Young and new workers are eager to contribute and they deserve a safe start," said Tracey Newman, VP Prevention and Employer Engagement, WCB Nova Scotia. "The most important thing an employer can do is have those safety conversations right off the top. A proper orientation, a mentor to work alongside, and an open door for questions can prevent a serious injury."

For employers, keeping young workers safe includes:

• Orienting every new worker to their specific tasks and hazards before work begins
• Pairing new hires with an experienced co-worker during their first shifts
• Taking heat seriously — young workers are at higher risk of heat stroke
• Making sure workers handling knives have proper training and the right equipment
• Encouraging workers to ask questions and speak up if something feels unsafe

For workers, it means:

• Asking about hazards before doing a task for the first time
• Knowing who to go to if you're hurt
• Reporting safety concerns to your supervisor
• Refusing unsafe work – it’s your right, and you can’t be disciplined for it

Keeping more Nova Scotians safe on the job is the core driver behind Safer Workplaces Together — our province’s injury prevention strategy which provides a framework for building safer, stronger workplaces across Nova Scotia.

Related:

Safer Workplaces Together
Employer Webinar: New and Vulnerable Workers