Leader in Safety Award

Awarded: October 23, 2026 | Submission Deadline: August 14, 2026

This award recognizes an organization that demonstrates a strong commitment to keeping their workplace health and safety. This award celebrates companies that make safety a daily priority, through practical programs, clear communication, engaged leadership and a culture where workers look out for one another.

We recognize that safety programs and resources look different across companies. The goal of this submission is to tell your safety story clearly, using information you already track and tools you already use.

Eligibility Criteria
  • The nominee must be a CANS member company in good standing
  • The nominee must conduct work in Nova Scotia
  • Nominees may be involved in any sector of the construction industry
  • Self-nominations and third-party nominations are welcome

Submission Requirements

All nominations must include a written submission of no more than 1,200 words that clearly addresses each of the six criteria. We recommend drafting your submission in Word to help track your word count. Submissions exceeding the limit will not be reviewed by the selection committee.

Supporting materials are welcome and encouraged and are not included in the word count.

1. Experience (maximum 15 points)

Your organization’s historical safety performance will be evaluated based on official records and internal metrics.

a) Three-Year Injury Summary

Submit your organization’s injury reports for 2023, 2024, and 2025 as issued by the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB Nova Scotia). These can be requested by emailing: ohsdivision@novascotia.ca

b) Inspection and Compliance History

Provide your organization’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) enforcement history from Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration for the same three-year period (2023–2025). This report should include the number of inspections, orders (including compliance and stop work), and outcomes. These can be requested by emailing: ohsdivision@novascotia.ca

c) Total Recordable Injury Frequency (TRIF)

Include your company’s TRIF data for January 1 to June 30, 2026.

  • Total Recordable Injuries (YTD to June 30, 2026):
  • Total Hours Worked (YTD to June 30, 2026):
  • TRIF Formula: (Total Recordable Injuries × 200,000) ÷ Total Hours Worked


2. Health and Safety Communication (maximum 15 points)

Submit a brief statement or excerpt from your company’s health and safety policies outlining how often regular health and safety communications take place. Include a sample of at least one monthly health and safety communication. If these were delivered in person or virtually, include attendance records, sign-in sheets, or confirmation of distribution. Examples include:

  • Structured check-ins: team meetings or toolbox talks
  • Internal communications: awareness campaigns, newsletters, digital bulletins, or safety memos


3. Health and Safety Management (maximum 25 points)

Demonstrate how your organization manages occupational health and safety performance and risk reduction

a) For construction trades

Provide the most recent external audit report under the Certificate of Recognition (COR®) program, issued by the Construction Safety Nova Scotia (CSNS). Include your current Letter of Good Standing. Request these from: cor@constructionsafetyns.ca

b) For non-construction organizations (e.g. suppliers, service providers)

If your firm is not COR®-certified, submit a copy of your OHS program’s Table of Contents and proof of any third-party certification (e.g. ISO 45001, CSA Z1000).


4. Health and Safety Education (maximum 15 points)

Highlight how your organization supports ongoing education and training beyond legal compliance. Provide supporting documentation such as a training matrix, course outlines, and participation rates. Examples may include supervisor or worker training, refresher sessions, mental health or hazard recognition training.


5. Mental Health and Wellness Programming (maximum 15 points)

Share how your organization supports mental wellbeing at work. Programs may be formal or informal. Examples may include:

  • Mental health toolbox talks or lunch-and-learns
  • EAP services or wellness subsidies
  • Workshops on psychological safety
  • Stress management initiatives or peer support programs


6. Health and Safety Initiatives (maximum 15 points)

Highlight one or more health and safety improvements implemented in 2024 or 2025. Provide a summary of the workplace need or hazard identified, the action taken, and how the initiative is being monitored and evaluated. This could include introducing safer equipment or tools, updating procedures or addressing a recurring hazard.


Supporting Materials

Nominees are strongly encouraged to include up to three supporting documents, such as:

  • Letters of recognition from clients, employees, partners, or contractors.
  • Awards, certificates, or letters from safety associations or partners
  • Excerpts from employee surveys related to safety or wellbeing
  • Samples of safety meeting agendas or sign‑in sheets
  • Internal memos or policies supporting mental health and wellbeing

All supporting materials must be clearly labelled and referenced in your submission. Supporting materials are not included in the overall word count; however, they should be limited to the most relevant and impactful items only and must not exceed six pages total. Materials submitted beyond this limit will not be reviewed by the selection committee.

Award Process and Conditions


Designated Company Representative

All award recipients will be announced at the CANS Awards Gala. Each nomination must include a designated company representative who will act as liaison with CANS if the nominee is selected. This individual must:

  • Maintain confidentiality until the public announcement at the Gala
  • Confirm attendance at the CANS Awards Gala or assign a representative

Selected recipients will participate in a brief interview process following judging. Portions of the interview may be recorded for presentation at the Gala.

How to Submit
  • Submit your nomination by August 14, 2026, at 4 p.m. A.T.
  • This nomination will be completed in a form format, with each criterion addressed in its own response field. You may distribute your total word count of up to 1,200 words across the sections as you see fit.
  • Individual deadline extensions will not be granted. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Selection Process

A committee of industry leaders will review all nominations. Each submission will be scored out of 100 points based on the criteria outlined above. The award recipient will be selected based on total score, clarity and quality of submission, and demonstrated commitment to safety in industry.