Nova Scotia Construction Sector Forms Respectful Workplace Working Group, Seeks Industry Input
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2026
DARTMOUTH, NS – The Nova Scotia construction industry has established the Respectful Workplaces Working Group, a collaborative, industry-led initiative focused on strengthening safe workplace culture throughout the sector.
Formed by the Construction Safety Coalition, the group brings together construction leaders, employers, workers, industry associations, labour representatives and other partners to share knowledge and coordinate action.
The group was created in response to a changing workplace and regulatory landscape, including new legislation and injury-prevention requirements that affect employers across the province.
Recent changes include the recognition of gradual onset psychological injury as a compensable injury, the establishment of the Safer Workplaces Together injury-prevention strategy, and the addition of harassment protections to the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The working group will help employers understand and respond to these evolving expectations.
The group will make relevant resources and best practices easier to find and use, identify gaps and emerging needs, and develop practical tools that support respectful workplaces, inclusion and regulatory compliance. By coordinating industry knowledge and experience, the group will help employers navigate the changing landscape and take practical steps to build more respectful workplaces.
“The industry welcomes these new changes, and we want to support all employers to meet them.” said MJ MacDonald, CEO of Construction Safety Nova Scotia. “This working group gives the construction sector a coordinated way to understand these changes, to identify and share existing best practices and to help the construction sector move forward successfully”
Industry Survey: Help Shape Respectful Workplaces
As a first step, the Respectful Workplaces Working Group has launched an industry survey to better understand existing initiatives, challenges, needs, and opportunities within Nova Scotia’s construction sector. The survey is intended for construction industry stakeholders, including employers, owners, managers, supervisors, safety professionals, industry associations, and labour representatives. Future engagement opportunities will help gather perspectives from workers and other industry stakeholders as the work continues.
Trent Soholt, Executive Director with the Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council, said, “We are proud to be part of this initiative and help in this important work – which requires industry, government and community working together. By building on efforts already underway, the focus is to provide practical, construction-specific resources that reflect the realities of the jobsite and help everyone, at every level, feel safe, respected and supported at work.”
Organizations and individuals across Nova Scotia’s construction industry are encouraged to contribute to this work by completing the survey and sharing their experiences, needs, best practices, and feedback.
Complete the survey here: https://constructionsafetyns.ca/respect
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About the Respectful Workplaces Working Group
The Respectful Workplaces Working Group is a collaborative, industry-led initiative that was formed to strengthen safe and respectful workplace cultures across Nova Scotia’s construction sector. The group will provide employers with practical resources to create and maintain workplaces where everyone is treated with respect, dignity and professionalism. The group is governed by the Nova Scotia Construction Safety Coalition, with Construction Safety Nova Scotia serving as the secretariat.
About the Construction Safety Coalition
The Construction Safety Coalition is an industry-formed and led group focused on construction safety across Nova Scotia. This group was instrumental in executing a rapid response to COVID-19 safety measures and continues to tackle major health and safety issues. Comprised of industry organizations, unions, and member associations, the Construction Safety Coalition brings a variety of voices to the table with the shared goal to make the Nova Scotia construction industry.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Shannon Kehoe
Director, Strategy & Engagement
Construction Safety Nova Scotia
Cell: 902-209-5658
Email: skehoe@constructionsafetyns.ca
