Manufacturing in Nova Scotia
Making the workplace safer
Manufacturing is the largest goods-producing sector in Nova Scotia, employing over 35,000 workers. The industry accounts for nearly 75% of Nova Scotia’s exports, with key products being rubber tires and seafood, among others.
Nearly 11% of all serious injuries in Nova Scotia occur in the manufacturing industry. The top 3 time-loss injuries are:
- sprains and strains
- broken bones and dislocated joints
- cuts, scratches, and punctures
With the right safety plan, equipment, and training, all of these injuries can be prevented.
In 2024, the manufacturing industry in Nova Scotia saw:
2,444 reported injury claims
498 time-loss injuries
(where workers missed 3 or more days of work because of their injuries).
These statistics highlight why safety training and practices are so important. Use the information you'll find here to improve safety for you and your workers.
Improve Safety. Protect lives
Improved safety in manufacturing will come from a combination of large and small changes like these:
- digital access to regulations
- full-scope audits
- Mental health supports
- strategic injury reduction
- technical oversight
Safety resources for manufacturing
Use this risk-mapping tool to identify where and why workers are getting injured in your manufacturing facility. You may be able to fix some hazards. For others, you may need to make sure your workers have the right training to do a dangerous job safely.
Many businesses in Nova Scotia are required by law to have an occupation health and safety policy and program. Learn more about how to create yours. Learn more about how to create a safety plan.
- The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration provides a range of programs and services to help make your workplace safer.
- Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters is another source of information on training opportunities, events, and news about your industry.
- The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety is a Government of Canada initiative that provides programs and services in English and French.
- Workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) training is mandatory for jobs involving chemicals and other hazardous materials.
Have a return-to-work plan
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.