Nova Scotia workplace safety inspection report template

Nova Scotia rules for this report

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

• An employer notifies the joint occupational health and safety committee or the representative, if any, of reports of workplace health or safety inspections done by or for the employer or an officer, makes them available to the committee or representative on request, and makes them available to any employee on requestOccupational Health and Safety Act, S.N.S. 1996, c. 7, s. 35 (1), (2)
• An employer regularly employing twenty or more employees (or required by the regulations) has a written occupational health and safety program, made in consultation with the committee or representative, including a hazard identification system with procedures and schedules for regular inspections and for reporting and correcting hazards, prompt follow-up of identified hazards, and records of inspection and investigation reports made available to those entitled to themOccupational Health and Safety Act, s. 28 (1), (2) (e), (f), (h)
• Where twenty or more persons are regularly employed, the employer maintains a joint occupational health and safety committee, at least half of whose members are non-management employees chosen by the employees they represent or designated by their union; it meets at least once a month unless its rules or the regulations set another frequencyOccupational Health and Safety Act, ss. 29 (1), 30 (2) to (4)
• The committee's functions include identifying hazards with the employer, auditing compliance with health and safety requirements, dealing promptly with complaints, taking part in inspections, inquiries and investigations, advising on protective equipment and programs, and keeping records and minutes of its meetingsOccupational Health and Safety Act, s. 31
• Where no committee is required and five or more persons are employed, the employer has the employees select at least one health and safety representative from among employees not connected with managementOccupational Health and Safety Act, s. 33 (1)
• Where a defect is identified that affects the safe operation of a machine, it is not operated until repaired, and capacities and other limits in the manufacturer's or engineer's specifications are never exceededOccupational Safety General Regulations, N.S. Reg. 44/1999, s. 84 (2), (3)

What is in it

• Housekeeping and walking surfacesFloors, aisles and walkways clear, dry and in good repair, Stairs, handrails and guardrails, Storage, stacking and racking stable, Lighting adequate for the work
• Exits and emergency equipmentExit routes and exit doors clear, unlocked and marked, Exit signs and emergency lighting working, Emergency plan, alarms and assembly point posted and known, Eyewash stations and emergency showers where needed
• Fire preventionFire extinguishers in place, charged, inspected and unobstructed, Flammable and combustible materials stored safely, Sprinkler heads clear, with storage kept below them, Compressed gas cylinders secured and capped
• ElectricalElectrical panels closed, labelled and with clear access, Extension cords and power strips used properly and undamaged, Outlets, switches and cover plates; GFCI protection near water
• Machinery, tools and powered equipmentMachine guards in place and working, Lockout and tagout devices and procedures available and used, Hand and power tools in good condition, Forklifts and powered equipment: daily checks done, operators trained
• Hazardous productsContainers labelled, Safety data sheets current and available, Chemicals stored and separated safely; spill supplies on hand, Ventilation and exhaust working
• Personal protective equipmentRequired PPE available and in good condition, PPE worn where required
• Ladders, heights and material handlingLadders and step stools in good condition and used correctly, Work at height: guardrails or fall protection, Manual lifting and workstation ergonomics
• First aid, postings and recordsFirst aid kits stocked; first aid attendants or trained workers available, Required safety postings and notices displayed
• Corrective actionsHazard and location, Corrective action, Responsible, Due, Status
• Items from earlier inspectionsItems from earlier inspections or reports, and whether each has been fixed.

Rules last reviewed October 13, 2026. Read the full Nova Scotia workplace safety inspection report requirements.