Nova Scotia gives occupational health and safety officers new enforcement tool

Officers can write summary offence tickets for $450 and $800 for failing to comply


Occupational health and safety officers in Nova Scotia have a new tool to enforce laws that protect employees.

Officers can now issue summary offence tickets for two offences under the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.

A summary offence ticket, with a fine of $450, can be issued to people and organizations in a workplace who do not provide a compliance notice indicating they have complied with an officer’s earlier order. A summary offence ticket, with a fine of $800, can be issued for failing to comply with an order.

“It’s important for the officers to have options for enforcement when orders are not being followed,” said Kerry Morash, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Environment and Labour. “Continued offences by a workplace are unacceptable and will result in a penalty.”

Morash said his department’s number one priority is to educate people in the workplace and to help bring businesses into compliance with the law. When this doesn’t work, officers can turn to enforcement options which include issuing a summary offence ticket or laying charges against the offender.

“The health and safety of workers in this province is a priority of government. We are continually improving our health and safety systems to help reduce accidents and injuries in the workplace,” said Morash. “The use of summary offence tickets is an additional tool to help bring workplaces into compliance with the occupational health and safety laws.”

Employers or employees found guilty of an offence under the act can be subject to fines of up to $250,000 and/or two years in jail.

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