When most Nova Scotians were asked to stay home during the pandemic, many young workers went to work on the frontlines, filling the essential services roles that keep the province going.

They filled take-out orders, they checked out groceries, they worked drive-thru windows and so much more. Sadly, many of them got hurt doing it.

In 2020, 2,741 workers under the age of 25 were injured on the on job in Nova Scotia – 519 of them lost time from work because of their injuries.

Read our latest blog to find some of our best safety resources for young workers, including tip lists, safety kits, posters, videos, interactive quizzes and much more.

How did some of Nova Scotia's young workers get hurt in 2020? 

• Splashed hot frying oil, burning face and left hand
• Slipped on ice and fell, injured lower back
• Frost bite from wet boots while working at a garden centre
• Crab claw went through glove while unloading boat, skin penetrated near a ligament
• Jumped off back of truck, knee popped out of place

Just as we have done through the duration of the pandemic, Nova Scotians once again worked together to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our province, as we now find ourselves on the other side of the third wave. As restrictions ease and we look forward to as normal a summer as possible, COVID-19 is still active in our communities, and we must continue to keep each other safe. In your workplace, that means maintaining and strengthening all of the safety and public health protocols you have in place. 

Workplace Testing Program 

The Government of Nova Scotia is offering a COVID-19 screening (asymptomatic rapid testing) program for all workplaces in Nova Scotia as an important part of its reopening plan. Any interested business or organization is invited to participate, regardless of size.

Learn More

Together, we can reopen safely

Nova Scotia’s reopening plan is a five-phase approach to safely easing restrictions, based on ongoing progress of provincewide vaccination rates and improvements of public health and healthcare indicators like COVID-19 activity and hospitalizations. Workplaces have an important role to play. 

Learn More

What you need to know as we continue to work through COVID-19

The health and safety of our employees and those we serve remain our number one priority. Visit our websiite for updates on WCB Nova Scotia's operations, including our employer premium deferral program, work-related COVID-19 cases, prevention materials and much more.   

Learn More

Injury costing Nova Scotians and their workplaces too much time from work

In 2020, people injured on the job in Nova Scotia were off work for a total of 3,131 person-years – a staggering statistic reported in the organization’s annual statistical summary. Read the summary for more results from 2020, including the overall injury rate, types of injuries, and breakdowns by industry.   

Optimism, opportunity define WCB Nova Scotia’s 2021-2023 Strategic Priorities

WCB Nova Scotia’s 2021-2023 Strategic Priorities chart a course for new possibility and opportunity, with a clear focus on return to work and coming financial sustainability. Read more about our upcoming work in five key areas: Injury Prevention, Return to Work, Our People and their Service, Supporting System Reform and Funding our Future.  

The time being lost to workplace injury in Nova Scotia is a call to action for workers, employers, and health care providers across the province. 

An important part of enabling a worker's success is a strong return-to-work program, or plan to help them return to productive employment as soon as it’s safe and suitable to do so. In fact, getting workers back on the job is an important part of their recovery process. As an employer or manager, your role in supporting an employee injured at work through their treatment plan is critical to their success, and ultimately, to yours. Here are the top five most important parts of a successful return-to-work program.