The changes are expected to trim overall costs by about $1.5 million annually
Nova Scotia has announced that it is making changes to its workplace first aid requirements, joining other provinces in complying to the new Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standard.
In an announcement, the government said these changes will help modernise first aid requirements and will consolidate them under the province's Workplace Health and Safety Regulations.
It will come into effect on June 13, according to the provincial government, and will apply to all employers in Nova Scotia. The changes are also expected to reduce overall costs for employees and employers by about $1.5 million annually.
"When an accident or illness happens in the workplace, it's critically important to have first aid ready until professional help can be provided," said Labour Minister Jill Balser in a statement.
"Having consistent approaches across jurisdictions can help save people's lives. It can also save businesses money and time and allow for greater mobility of workers across Canada."
According to the provincial government, the Department of Labour, Skills, and Immigration will be helping workplaces prepare and understand the changes in its first aid requirements.
The department will also ensure that contents and terminology used in first aid kits are consistent. The agency previously oversaw the hosting two public consultations and even offered an online survey to help inform employers of the changes.
In Nova Scotia, employers are required to provide first supplies, trained first aiders, and other first aid services, such as emergency transportation, in their workplaces at their own expense.
They must also have trained and certified first aiders, who are also employees, in the workplace who are there to "promptly provide injured employees with a level of care within the scope of practice appropriate for their level of workplace first aid training."
Employers are required to pay for their employees' training so they can be certified or renew their certification.
The province said that the first aid training certificates it issued before regulatory changes will be valid until they expire, while the first aid kits that meet current requirements will be in compliance until June 13, 2023.
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Nova Scotia's announcement follows the government's commitment in harmonising its rules with other jurisdictions in Canada.
Fred Crooks, chief regulatory officer, Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectivenese, said in a statement that harmonising first aid requirements will help improve regulatory environment for businesses.
"For businesses working in more than one jurisdiction, the cost of complying with several variations of first aid kits and training requirements adds up quickly," said Crooks.
"Harmonising first aid requirements between jurisdictions cuts unnecessary red tape and greatly improves our regulatory environment for businesses working across provincial lines."
