Call for Nominations: CANS 2025 Leader in Safety Award

Submission Requirements

All nominations must include a written submission of no more than 1,200 words that clearly address the following six criteria. Supporting materials are welcome and encouraged.

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 2022, 2023, and 2024 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 (2022–2024). 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, 2024.

• Total Recordable Injuries (YTD to June 30, 2024):
• Total Hours Worked (YTD to June 30, 2024):
• TRIF Formula: (Total Recordable Injuries × 200,000) ÷ Total Hours Worked

“Recordable injuries” include:

• Fatalities
• Lost time injuries
• Modified/restricted work (e.g. ESRTW)
• Medical treatment beyond first aid

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 20 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 company supports ongoing education and training beyond legal compliance. Outline the education and training your organization delivers. Provide supporting documentation such as a training matrix, course outlines, and participation rates. Examples may include:

• Hazard recognition training
• Mental Health First Aid
• Monthly in-house refresher sessions on fall protection

5. Psychological Health and Safety, Mental Health and Employee Wellness (maximum 20 points)

Describe and provide documentation for programs and initiatives that promote mental wellbeing. Include evidence such as training materials, attendance records, or internal policy excerpts. Examples may include:

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

6. Health and Safety Initiatives (maximum 15 points)

Highlight proactive steps taken to improve safety outcomes in 2023 and 2024. Provide a summary of at least one major health and safety initiative. Include:

• The workplace need or hazard identified
• The action taken (e.g., new technology, improved process)
• How the initiative is being monitored and evaluated
• Supporting documentation such as trend reports, surveys, meeting notes or updated protocols

 Supporting Materials

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

• Letters of support or recognition from colleagues, clients, or partners
• Photos or social media content of safety activities
• Program brochures, news articles, or media features

All supporting materials should be clearly labelled and referenced in your written submission. Appendices should be included at the end of the nomination package.