Construction in Nova Scotia
Building in strength
From road building to roofing, construction is one of the fastest-growing industries in Nova Scotia, contributing almost $3 billion to our economy. The work force of 16,000 skilled trades workers is expected to grow by 9% each year due to the high demand for residential builds and renovations.
Hazards at every step
A construction site is full of large and small hazards that can change lives in an instant. The most common are:
- Electrical hazards
- Chemical hazards
- Falls from heights
- Noise exposure
- Breathing hazards
- Heat and cold stress
With the right safety plan, equipment, and training, all of these can be prevented.
In 2024, the construction industry in Nova Scotia saw:
2,274 reported injury claims
626 time-loss claims
(time-loss claims are where workers missed 3 or more days of work because of their injuries.)
These claims highlight why safety training is so important. Use the information you’ll find here to improve safety for you and your workers.
The top 3 time-loss injuries for construction are:
- Sprains and strains
- Broken bones and dislocated joints
- Cuts, scratches, and punctures
Use fall protection equipment
Under the law, workers must use fall protection equipment when working high above a safe surface. Yet every year, workers in Nova Scotia are injured or killed because they did not use the equipment.
- Get training. Construction Safety Nova Scotia (CSNS) offers specific training on fall protection.
- Learn more about fall safety. TieOffNS provides information for both employers and workers on the importance of fall protection.
Use this hazard assessment document to identify potential hazards at your workplace. It will help you think about all possible hazards, grade their risk, and plan a way to limit the danger.
This risk-mapping tool can help you see where and why workers are getting injured in your workplace.
Many businesses in Nova Scotia are required by law to have an occupational health and safety program. This helps protect your workers from both physical injury as well as psychological harm from bullying, harassment, or trauma. Learn more about how to create your safety plan
WorkShift Podcast: Leading Safety in Small and Large-Scale Construction with Dan Monk and Steve Snider
Find other safety programs, services, and training
- The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration provides a range of programs and services. You can also find information about what levels of licensing and certification workers need to do their jobs safely and well.
- The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety is a Government of Canada initiative that provides programs and services in English and French.
- Construction Safety Nova Scotia offers safety training on a wide range of topics throughout the year.
- Workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) training is mandatory for jobs involving chemicals and other hazardous materials.
When injury does happen, one of the best things you can do for your worker is help them recover at work. In fact, the sooner you get them back to the workplace, the better for their recovery. Learn more about how to create a return-to-work program.