N.S. looks to employers, employees for input on administrative penalties for workplace safety violations

Review part of 5-year strategy with Workers’ Compensation Board

Nova Scotia will review its administrative penalties for employers and employees who break safety laws, the province's Labour and Advanced Education Minister Marilyn More announced.

"The review will focus on ensuring we are assigning the penalties for the right types of offences and that they promote better overall safety," More said.

The review is part of a new five-year workplace safety strategy being developed with the Workers’ Compensation Board.

Over the past several months, Nova Scotia and its Workers' Compensation Board have been gathering feedback from many employees, employers and other safety partners for the strategy. A total of 26 consultations took place across the province with more than 400 participants, and another 1,000 Nova Scotians provided feedback online. A strategy framework has been developed, and consultations will continue over the next couple of months, the province said.

During consultations concerns were voiced about administrative penalties, including the inconsistency with which the penalties were given out and their effectiveness.

A finalized workplace safety strategy is expected to be released early in the new year.

Current penalties were put in place in 2010.

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