Nova Scotia incident report template

Set up for Nova Scotia

• The employer notifies the Director as soon as possible, and within 24 hours, after a fire, flood or accident at the workplace that causes an employee unconsciousness; a fracture of the skull, spine, pelvis, arm, leg, ankle, wrist or a major part of the hand or foot; the loss or amputation of a leg, arm, hand, foot, finger or toe; a third degree burn; loss of sight in one or both eyes; asphyxiation or poisoning; any injury requiring admission to hospital; or any life-endangering injury, unless the injury can be treated by immediate first aid or medical treatment and the person can return to work the following dayOccupational Health and Safety Act, S.N.S. 1996, c. 7, s. 63 (1) (a) · Nova Scotia OHS Bulletin, Spring 2017 amendments

Also required in Nova Scotia

These rules are about how and when you report, not the template's fields. Check them before you deliver.

• The employer notifies the Director as soon as possible, and within 24 hours, after an accidental explosion, a major structural failure or collapse of a building or other structure, a major release of a hazardous substance, or a fall from a work area where fall protection is required by the regulations, whether or not anyone is injuredOHS Act, s. 63 (1) (b)
• The employer notifies the Director immediately when a person is killed from any cause, or injured from any cause in a manner likely to prove fatal, at the workplaceOHS Act, s. 63 (1) (c)
• When notice goes to the Director, the employer also notifies the joint occupational health and safety committee or representative at the workplace, if any; a true copy of the employer's notice of accident to the Workers' Compensation Board, delivered in time, counts as notice to the DirectorOHS Act, s. 63 (2), (3)
• Except as an officer directs, no one disturbs the scene of a reportable accident except as necessary to attend to persons injured or killed, prevent further injuries, or protect endangered property; anyone present or with information provides it to an officer on requestOHS Act, ss. 64, 65
• The province's Safety Branch takes calls toll-free at 1-800-9LABOUR (1-800-952-2687), 24 hours a day, 7 days a weekGovernment of Nova Scotia, Workplace and technical safety information services

What is in it

• What happenedWhat the person was doing just before the incident, with the tools, equipment or material used, then how the incident happened, in the order it happened.
• Injury or illness and treatmentThe part of the body affected and how, the object or substance that directly caused harm, and the first aid or medical treatment given and where.
• Damage to property, equipment or the environmentWhat was damaged, spilled or released, and how much, as the notes give it.
• Immediate actions takenWhat was done right away: first aid, emergency calls, the area made safe, equipment stopped or tagged out, and who was notified.
• CausesThe immediate cause and any underlying causes the notes identify: equipment, procedures, training, work conditions, supervision. Only what the notes support.
• Witness statementsName, Role, What they saw or said
• Corrective actionsAction, Responsible, Due, Status

Rules last reviewed October 12, 2026. Read the full Nova Scotia incident report requirements.