Forestry Industry in Nova Scotia
Forestry is growing safer
Nova Scotia’s forestry has seen a huge improvement in job safety. That’s good news for over 10,000 workers and their families who rely on the industry for a living.
Common industry hazards and injuries
Uneven terrain, heavy machinery, and bad weather are major threats to worker safety. The top three injuries in forestry are:
- Sprains and strain
- Fractures and dislocations
- Concussions and head injuries
Time loss claims and assessments dropping
- Forestry had 11 time loss claims in the past year. A drop from 14 time loss claims in 2022–and 60 claims in 2006/07
- Assessment rates have dropped by 40% in the past five years. Employers saved almost $4 million.
Prevent injury in your industry
Follow these safety practices
- Use chainsaw chaps, helmets, eye/ear protection, gloves, and steel-toed boots
- Follow manufacturer safety guidelines for all power tools
- Maintain proper stance and escape paths when felling trees
- Only certified operators may use skidders, harvesters, loaders, etc.
- Ensure first aid kits and communication devices are accessible on-site
- Monitor workers for signs of fatigue or mental overload — long hours in remote areas are risky
- Provide rest periods and rotate tasks where possible
Protect your workers
Everyone has a role to play in creating a safe working environment. Use the OH&S Risk Mapping Tool for injury prevention to identify and lessen risks.
And check out these resources:
The Forestry Safety Society is dedicated to reducing workplace injuries. Find out how they can help you.
Build a safer, healthier workplace using this powerful resource.
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
The WCB’s mission is to protect workers and to make the forestry industry a safe place to work. We’re also helping workers recovering from an injury return to their usual routine sooner.