Nova Scotia's provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa, Friday July 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Nova Scotia Workers Experience Decrease in Injuries, Increase in Mental Trauma
Nova Scotia has witnessed a notable decrease in workplace injuries, as highlighted in a recent report from the Nova Scotia Workers' Compensation Board. The report reveals that the rate of workplace injuries in 2023 plummeted to 1.4 injuries per 100 covered workers, down from 1.54 in 2022. This marks a significant improvement compared to the rate of 3.0 recorded two decades ago in 2003.
Karen Adams, CEO of the Workers' Compensation Board, expressed optimism regarding these findings. She attributed the decline in injuries to a heightened awareness of safety measures among both workers and employers. Adams emphasized the crucial role of fostering safety cultures within workplaces, noting that employers are increasingly committed to reducing injury rates due to the adverse impact of absences, particularly in fields facing staffing shortages like nursing.
Adams credited recent safety initiatives, such as the "Better Safety, Better Care" campaign in long-term care and home care, for contributing to the improvement in injury rates. Additionally, the Board's enhanced efforts to engage with employers and employees directly in workplaces have played a significant role in promoting safety awareness.
Despite the overall decrease in workplace injuries, the health and social services sector continued to report the highest injury rate. Workers in hospitals, long-term care homes, and home settings experienced a decline in injury rates from 2.75 in 2022 to 2.35 in 2023. Other sectors with relatively high injury rates, such as construction and manufacturing, also saw reductions in injuries over the past year.
The report identified risky or repetitive movements as the leading cause of time-loss injuries, accounting for 48.2% of cases. Sprains or strains were the most common type of injury, making up 63.4% of cases, followed by fractures and dislocations at 9.9%. Back injuries constituted nearly a quarter of all time-loss injuries, totaling 23.5%.
Furthermore, the report noted a decrease in the number of days lost due to work-related injuries, amounting to 59,000 fewer days or 160 person-years of work in 2023. However, it highlighted that workers in Nova Scotia take longer to return to work compared to those in many other provinces, indicating an area for improvement.
Adams stressed the importance of facilitating safe and timely return-to-work processes, acknowledging the province's comparatively high average assessment rate for employers at $2.65 per $100 of assessable payroll. This rate contrasts starkly with neighbouring New Brunswick, where the average rate stands at $1.18, one of the lowest in Canada.
Despite the positive trends in reducing physical injuries, the report underscored a concerning rise in psychological injuries resulting from traumatic events. In 2023, 159 workers took time off due to psychological injuries, marking an increase from the previous year. The majority of these workers, 94 in total, were first responders such as paramedics, police officers, and firefighters.
Adams expressed empathy for these workers, acknowledging the profound impact of the traumatic events they face in their line of duty. She emphasized that coverage for post-traumatic stress disorder is presumptive, meaning that affected workers receive coverage without undergoing extensive questioning.
Looking ahead, the Workers' Compensation Board is preparing to introduce compensation for gradual onset psychological workplace injuries in September, a first for Atlantic Canada. This coverage will address issues such as workplace bullying and harassment, aligning with existing provisions in most other provinces.
Despite the progress in reducing workplace injuries, Adams reiterated the tragic reality that every workplace fatality is preventable. While the number of fatalities has decreased from the previous year, she emphasized the ongoing efforts to collaborate with employers to prevent future fatalities, recognizing the need for continuous improvement in workplace safety measures.
