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Our industry remains key to our economy here in Nova Scotia. We have heard from some of our government partners that our health and safety practices are commendable. However, inspectors have asked that we remind all of our members to adhere to social distancing requirements. 

We are fortunate that our industry has remained operational, albeit with new challenges and requirements. To continue to operate, we need everyone to do their part and ensure that they are abiding by the requirements outlined here. This not only keeps your employees and the public safe, but allows our industry to continue to operate. Failure to do so will very likely have negative consequences for a health and safety point of view, but also negatively impact our ability to continue to function as an industry.

Sincerely,

Duncan Williams
President & CEO
Construction Association of Nova Scotia

Click here to download the Province’s Social Distancing Best Practices.

Safety and Health Week

May 3 – 9 is Safety and Health Week (formerly NAOSH Week), a continent-wide initiative to focus employers, employees, partners and the public on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home, and in the community. Access resources to share with your workforce including posters, videos, audio clips, social media graphics and much more.

COVID-19 Workplace Safety Resource Hub

Working safely during the COVID-19 pandemic is a challenge for workplaces across the province. Check out the new resource hub.

Digital Clearance Now Available in MyAccount

From now on, WCB clearance letters will only be available digitally through MyAccount. With this new online process, employers will be able to quickly save, print and share clearance letters from any device, any time of day. More information about digital clearance and how it works is available at wcb.ns.ca/clearance. 

While construction work continues in Nova Scotia, construction workers, workplaces, and worksites are expected to comply with the physical distancing requirements of two metres (six feet).

CANS has created a quick tip sheet providing a reminder on how to maintain the appropriate level of protection, with respect to the hazards posed by COVID-19 and the orders issued by the Medical Officer of Health for Nova Scotia. Click here to access CANS Reminder on Physical Distancing.

Nova Scotia Business Inc (NSBI) will be launching a Consultant Directory to help companies connect with consultants to address immediate challenges. The online index will be published on the NSBI website. It will include contact information for each consultant listed, associated areas of expertise and a filter to help companies quickly find a consultant to meet their business needs.   Do you want to be included in the Nova Scotia Consultant Directory? Access the application form and complete your submission by May 4, 2020.

The following answer was provided to CANS by the province on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, to provide clarity around physical distancing requirements outlined in Section 11 of the Health Protection Order.

Q: There has been some confusion for those involved in construction activities that may also be work for municipal units in maintaining critical infrastructure (as referenced in Section 11 of the Medical Officer of Health Order). Are there different requirements for physical distancing under the Medical Officer of Health Orders For contractors working with municipalities to support critical infrastructure and when they are not?

A:  Section 11 exemption is intended to recognize that there may be times when the work to maintain critical municipal infrastructure will require multiple people in a limited space to complete the work. the exemption for the 5-person rule and the 2-metre physical distancing was to allow this work to proceed as safely as possible. Despite the exemption, it is expected that contractors should still take a critical look at how the work is being conducted and look to incorporate measures to protect workers from potential spread of COVID-19 and practice physical distancing as best they can. Workers should self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and should stay home if ill.