WCB Nova Scotia Releases Impact of Workplace Injury Report for 2025
HALIFAX, NS: More Nova Scotians came home safe from work in 2025 than ever before.
WCB Nova Scotia released its 2025 Impact of Workplace Injury Report during national Safety and Health Week. The report tells a story of progress through accountability: fewer people got hurt, those who did got back to their jobs faster, and across every major sector – construction, manufacturing, health care, retail – days lost to workplace injury dropped.
"Safe workplaces keep Nova Scotians working. And when more people are working, contributing, building, and caring for one another, Nova Scotia is stronger for it. That's why we work alongside employers, workers, and partners every day to make it happen. This report shows it's working," said Karen Adams, CEO, WCB Nova Scotia.
The provincial injury rate reached its lowest year-point in history and has declined even further. And some of the most significant improvements are happening in sectors that historically have had some of the highest injury rates.
Construction, for example, has reached an all-time low injury rate of 1.39 per 100 covered workers in 2025 — even as Nova Scotia sees a surge in new homes, expanding infrastructure, and a growing workforce. As the number of covered workers has increased, injuries have not followed, suggesting that safety is keeping pace with growth.
"The construction industry, employers, and workers have shown that prioritizing safety protects workers and strengthens the industry," said MJ MacDonald, CEO of Construction Safety Nova Scotia. "Strong safety programs improve productivity, build a resilient workforce, and support sustainable companies. When safety leads, everyone wins."
Manufacturing tells a similar story. Nova Scotia's manufacturing injury rate reached its lowest point in a decade in 2025 and a 45 per cent decrease over the past 10 years. That’s more people creating and processing the goods that Nova Scotians and others depend on – and going home to their families at the end of the day.
"A record-low workplace injury rate is encouraging and shows the progress we're making together," said Nolan Young, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration. "But there is always more work to do. We will keep focusing on prevention, stronger protections, and helping injured workers recover and return to work safely."
When injuries do occur, Nova Scotians are recovering faster and returning to work sooner by staying connected to their workplace during recovery. This helps people maintain routines and relationships and reduces the need for long term-benefits. Every person who returns to work sooner strengthens their workplace, their community, and this province.
WCB and its partners are committed to building on this progress through Safer Workplaces Together, Nova Scotia's shared framework for a safer, stronger province for every worker.
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Media Contact
Caitie Clark
Communications Advisor, WCB Nova Scotia
902.329.0556 | caitie.clark@wcb.ns.ca
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