Administrative Penalties
Minister Regan’s announcement on changes to Administrative Penalties a welcomed step in the right direction says Construction Association of Nova Scotia
HALIFAX, December 5, 2013 - The Construction Association of Nova Scotia (CANS) is very pleased with Minister Regan’s announcement today on the changes to Administrative Penalties.
Throughout 2012-2013 CANS participated in many consultations with the Province as part of the Administrative Penalties review process advocating for a simplified appeals process and investment in education, additional resources and training.
“Safety is a shared responsibility among employers, employees and regulatory bodies,” says Duncan Williams, President of the Construction Association of Nova Scotia. “Our industry invests heavily in safety, but not all participants understand or necessarily play by the rules. Today’s changes will focus greater effort and resources on those who find themselves non-compliant with the occupational health and safety regulations that have been developed to ensure the safety of Nova Scotians.”
The amendments will also focus greater attention on industries with high time loss claims, fatalities and repeat offending firms. “These changes will help level the playing field in our industry, ensuring that firms who invest in safety and build a safety culture are not disadvantaged when competing for work with firms who don’t make that commitment and investment. Above all, we want our friends, colleagues and loved ones to come home safe. These changes are another step toward ensuring everyone gets home safe.” says Williams.
“Until now, penalties have been seen as a cash grab and a tax, not as it was intended and supported by industry,” says Williams. “So it is good news to see that revenues from administrative penalties previously directed to the Province’s General Revenue account will now go to improving education, safety training and Division resources.”
Today’s amendments make the appeal process for employers and employees clearer and fairer.
“These changes also give Officers greater autonomy to work collaboratively with employers and employees to problem solve, without compromising a zero tolerance policy for imminent danger or life threating situations,” adds Williams.
CANS represents more than 760 large and small companies that build, renovate and restore non-residential buildings, roads, bridges and other engineering projects. We are an industry trade association representing the interests of contractors, suppliers and service providers throughout Atlantic Canada and across the country. Construction is a $2.8 billion a year industry in Nova Scotia and employs nearly 30,000 men and women from across the province.
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For more information contact:
Janet Tobin
Communications and Marketing Lead
Construction Association of Nova Scotia
Ph: (902) 468.2267 x. 713
Cell: (902) 818-0835
jtobin@cans.ns.ca