Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S)
Nova Scotia’s laws to keep workplaces safe
At its heart, Nova Scotia’s OH&S Act and Regulations are about keeping people safe wherever work is happening.
- The Safety Branch of the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills & Immigration is dedicated to promoting safe and healthy workplaces, encouraging safe work practices, and upholding safety standards that protect both workers and the general public.
Read the Act and regulations
The Safety Branch
The Safety Branch works to improve understanding of OH&S requirements through awareness, education, and support for the Internal Responsibility System (IRS). It administers and enforces OH&S legislation across provincially regulated industries, while offering assistance to anyone with workplace health and safety concerns. Through research, inspections, investigations, and enforcement, the branch is committed to improving OH&S conditions and protecting workers and the public.
- Learn more about the Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety Division.
- Watch a video on what to expect when an OHS officer visits your workplace.
Get the latest important safety information with Nova SAFE
NovaSAFE.ca provides Nova Scotia’s employers, supervisors, and workers with a modern, user-friendly way to access essential safety information. Covering a wide range of occupational health and safety and technical safety topics, Nova SAFE offers:
- Clear, plain-language summaries
- Helpful definitions
- Direct links to relevant legislation
- Tools to support compliance with provincial acts and regulations
Workplace Injury in Nova Scotia
Safety in the workplace means fewer workplace injuries. Did you know? Sprain and strain injuries are the most common type of injury. Learn more about workplace injury in Nova Scotia.
Know your rights
In Nova Scotia, every worker has 3 basic safety rights: the right to know about workplace hazards, the right to participate in keeping the workplace safe, and the right to refuse work they believe is unsafe.
- Download this printable 3 rights information card (PDF) to distribute in your workplace.
- Watch a video to learn about the Internal Responsibility System (IRS).
Speak up for safety
If you have a safety question or concern, call 1-800-9-LABOUR (1-800-952-2687) to connect with resources and support that can help keep your workplace safe.
It’s also important to remember that you are required to notify the Occupational Health and Safety Division at the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration whenever a serious injury happens at your workplace.
Looking for more safety information
Workplace safety is our number one priority. We work with Nova Scotians so that everyone understands the province’s occupational health and safety rules. We use our Pathways to Compliance (PDF) to help ensure workplaces are compliant. We encourage Nova Scotians to work with us to build a strong culture of health and safety. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Work Safe. Home Safe. Everyday.
At the Safety Branch of the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills & Immigration, our priority is ensuring that every Nova Scotian returns home safely at the end of the day. Our goal is to prevent serious injuries and fatalities by fostering safer workplaces across the province.
This video highlights the reason behind the work we do. This tragic incident could have been avoided.