Occupational Health and Safety Division
The Occupational Health & Safety Division (OH&S) concentrates its
efforts on
safe and healthy workplaces, and work practices, and safety standards
protecting the general public. The Division seeks to continuously improve the provision of
its services.
The OH&S Division focuses on the promotion of the internal responsibility system.
The system acknowledges the responsibility of employers and employees for workplace health
and safety.
Contact Information
The OH&S Division, through information and enforcement, affects public and
workplace health and safety through:
- promoting the primary responsibility of employers and employees to create safe and
healthy workplaces through the use of safe work practices, adequate training and suitable
equipment.
- providing inspection, certification and enforcement services; to demonstrate to our
clients that a level of surveillance exists to monitor and to correct actions or
conditions that are not in keeping with the requirements of the legislation, especially
those related to the internal responsibility system. The enforcement provisions also
ensure that where violations of the legislation are identified, appropriate action is
taken, providing both general and specific deterrence.
- developing partnerships through dialogue and information exchange, providing
opportunities for client consultation which shapes OH&S Division services. The
OH&S Division also recognizes the value of promoting general health and safety
awareness.
- enhancing client services to create an environment that sustains the development,
availability and delivery of client services.
- ensuring effective use of resources to service the public by effectively and efficiently
allocating resources in pursuit of our mission.
- ensuring the continuous evolution of legislation to serve Nova Scotians better. Changes
to legislation will incorporate technological changes and recognize the evolution of
workplace practices and standards.
The Division is built around two service branches; Inspection and Compliance Services and Professional Services.
Inspection and Compliance Services are those provided directly to the client in the
workplace. Professional Services are those directed to give technical
support to the Inspection and Compliance Services officers.
The work of the Occupational Health and Safety Division is enhanced through two
Councils and Boards with whom we cooperate: