Is working alone legal in Nova Scotia?

Yes. Nova Scotia has no ban or separate regulation on working alone, but the employer's general duty in section 13 of the OHS Act means the risks of lone work must be managed, for example with check-ins and a way to call for help.

How do I refuse unsafe work in Nova Scotia?

Report it right away to your supervisor. If it is not fixed, report it to the joint committee or health and safety representative, then to the Occupational Health and Safety Division. You keep your pay, and reprisals are not allowed.

How fast must a workplace injury be reported in Nova Scotia?

Tell your supervisor as soon as possible. The employer's report must reach WCB Nova Scotia within 2 business days if you needed medical treatment or missed time, and serious injuries must be reported to the OHS Division within 24 hours.

Who do I call about unsafe work in Nova Scotia?

Call 1-800-9LABOUR (1-800-952-2687), which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In an emergency, call 911 first.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Nova Scotia Working Alone and Safety Course 2026

Question 1 of 25

What is the main workplace safety law in Nova Scotia?

The Fire Safety Act
The Workers' Compensation Act of Ontario
The Canada Labour Code, for all workers
The Occupational Health and Safety Act

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Answer: D. The Occupational Health and Safety Act

Nova Scotia's Occupational Health and Safety Act sets the duties of employers, supervisors and employees at provincially regulated workplaces.

Question 2 of 25

Section 2 of Nova Scotia's OHS Act is built on the Internal Responsibility System. What does that mean?

Only the government inspector is responsible for safety
Everyone at work shares responsibility for safety
Each worker is responsible only for their own safety
Only the joint committee is responsible for safety

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Answer: B. Everyone at work shares responsibility for safety

Section 2 says the primary responsibility for a safe workplace is shared by the workplace parties, to the extent of each one's authority and ability.

Question 3 of 25

Does Nova Scotia have a separate working-alone regulation like the ones in Alberta and British Columbia?

No; lone workers are not covered by any safety law
Yes; it requires a check-in call every 15 minutes
Yes; it bans all lone work between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
No; the general duty in section 13 covers lone work

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Answer: D. No; the general duty in section 13 covers lone work

Nova Scotia's OHS regulations have no working-alone part. The employer must still take every reasonable precaution under section 13, which includes planning for lone work.

Question 4 of 25

Under section 13 of the OHS Act, what must every employer do?

Take every reasonable precaution to keep people safe
Pay for each worker's personal cell phone plan
Post a safety poster and leave the rest to workers
Hire a full-time safety officer for every shift

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Answer: A. Take every reasonable precaution to keep people safe

Section 13(1) says the employer must take every precaution that is reasonable in the circumstances to protect the health and safety of people at or near the workplace, including information, instruction, training and supervision.

Question 5 of 25

Under section 13(1)(d), what must the employer make sure of before a guard is posted alone?

That the guard knows the client's sales targets
That the guard knows the hazards they may meet
That the guard has worked at the site for a year
That the guard brings their own radio and phone

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Answer: B. That the guard knows the hazards they may meet

Section 13(1)(d) requires employers to make employees familiar with hazards they may meet. This is the basis of your right to know.

Question 6 of 25

Under section 17 of the OHS Act, what is a Nova Scotia employee's duty?

Report only the injuries that need surgery or a cast
Work alone whenever asked, without asking questions
Take reasonable care, co-operate and use required gear
Fix every hazard alone without telling the employer

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Answer: C. Take reasonable care, co-operate and use required gear

Section 17(1) lists employee duties, including protecting their own safety, co-operating with the employer and co-workers, and using required protective devices and clothing.

Question 7 of 25

In Nova Scotia, at what size must a workplace have a joint occupational health and safety committee?

20 or more regularly employed persons
100 or more regularly employed persons
10 or more regularly employed persons
5 or more regularly employed persons

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Answer: A. 20 or more regularly employed persons

Section 29 requires a joint committee at every workplace where 20 or more persons are regularly employed.

Question 8 of 25

A workplace has 8 employees and no committee. What does section 33 of the OHS Act require?

A government safety officer posted on site each week
Nothing, because there are fewer than 20 employees
A full joint occupational health and safety committee
Employees select a health and safety representative

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Answer: D. Employees select a health and safety representative

Where no committee is required and 5 or more persons are employed, the employer must have the employees select at least one health and safety representative.

Question 9 of 25

You believe a lone post is likely to endanger you, so you refuse the work. Under section 43, what must you do first?

Wait a week and see if it improves
Report it immediately to a supervisor
Go home without telling anyone
Call the media

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Answer: B. Report it immediately to a supervisor

Section 43(2) says an employee who refuses must immediately report it to a supervisor.

Question 10 of 25

Your supervisor does not fix the problem to your satisfaction. Under section 43, who do you report to next?

The committee or representative, then the OHS Division
No one; the refusal ends if the supervisor disagrees
The Workers' Compensation Board, and no one else
The client's receptionist, then the building manager

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Answer: A. The committee or representative, then the OHS Division

Section 43(2) sets the order: supervisor, then the committee or representative if there is one, then the Occupational Health and Safety Division.

Question 11 of 25

During a work refusal, the employer gives you other work. What happens to your pay under section 43?

You are paid only if the refusal is upheld
You keep the same wages and benefits
It is cut in half
It stops until the refusal ends

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Answer: B. You keep the same wages and benefits

Section 43 lets the employer reassign you, but you keep the same wages and benefits. If you are not reassigned, the employer must still pay you.

Question 12 of 25

Under section 44, when may the employer give the refused work to another guard?

Only after the guard who refused has quit or been fired
Never, even after the matter has been fully dealt with
After telling them of the refusal, its reason and their rights
Right away, as long as no one says anything to them

Show answer

Answer: C. After telling them of the refusal, its reason and their rights

Section 44 bars assigning the refused work to someone else until the matter is dealt with, unless that person is told about the refusal, its reason and their rights.

Question 13 of 25

A guard is disciplined after a safety refusal. Under section 45, who must prove the action had a legitimate business reason?

The client
The employer
The guard
The Workers' Compensation Board

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Answer: B. The employer

Section 45 bans reprisals and puts the burden on the employer or union to prove the action was solely for legitimate business reasons.

Question 14 of 25

Under Nova Scotia's Violence in the Workplace Regulations, what must an employer do for each of its workplaces?

Hire an off-duty police officer for each shift
Install cameras in every room of the building
Do a violence risk assessment and write a report
Ban all visitors from entering after dark

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Answer: C. Do a violence risk assessment and write a report

Section 5 of the Violence in the Workplace Regulations requires a violence risk assessment for each workplace and a written report on the risks found.

Question 15 of 25

When must a Nova Scotia employer set up a workplace violence prevention plan?

Never; violence prevention plans are optional
Only after a worker has been hurt in a violent incident
When a significant risk is found or an officer orders one
Only when the workplace has 100 or more regular employees

Show answer

Answer: C. When a significant risk is found or an officer orders one

Section 7 of the Violence in the Workplace Regulations requires a prevention plan where a significant risk is identified or an officer orders one.

Question 16 of 25

A visitor threatens you on a night shift. Under Nova Scotia's violence regulations, who has a duty to report incidents of violence to the employer?

Any person in the workplace
Only the person who was hurt
Only the joint committee
Only the supervisor

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Answer: A. Any person in the workplace

Section 12 of the Violence in the Workplace Regulations says any person in a workplace has a duty to report all incidents of violence to the employer.

Question 17 of 25

Since September 1, 2025, what must every provincially regulated workplace in Nova Scotia have under the harassment regulations?

A union to handle every harassment complaint
A full-time harassment officer on staff
A written harassment prevention policy
Security cameras in every office and hallway

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Answer: C. A written harassment prevention policy

The harassment regulations, in force September 1, 2025, require every workplace to have a written policy to prevent and respond to harassment, and to train staff on it.

Question 18 of 25

How often must a Nova Scotia employer review its harassment prevention policy?

Every ten years
At least every three years
Every month
Only when a complaint is made

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Answer: B. At least every three years

The harassment regulations require the policy to be reviewed at least once every three years.

Question 19 of 25

According to the province, which of these can be workplace harassment?

A schedule change explained in advance
A supervisor giving fair, respectful feedback
A request to wear the uniform
Bullying, intimidation or threats

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Answer: D. Bullying, intimidation or threats

The province says harassment can include bullying, intimidation, threats and other unwanted behaviour that causes harm.

Question 20 of 25

Under Part 4 of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulations, what is an "isolated workplace"?

Any workplace that is open after midnight
Any workplace with only one employee on shift
Surface travel time is 40 minutes or more
A workplace with no cell phone service

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Answer: C. Surface travel time is 40 minutes or more

Section 4.1 defines an isolated workplace as one where the surface travel time is 40 minutes or more.

Question 21 of 25

What must an isolated workplace first aid plan cover under section 4.18?

The client's billing details and contract dates
Transporting injured workers and communicating out
Where the lunchroom and parking spaces are located
The guard's vacation, overtime and shift schedule

Show answer

Answer: B. Transporting injured workers and communicating out

Section 4.18 requires a written plan for each isolated workplace, covering how to transport injured employees and how the site communicates with the outside.

Question 22 of 25

Under section 4.2 of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulations, what must an injured employee do?

Report only the injuries that cause lost work time
Report all injuries to the employer without undue delay
Report injuries only to their own family doctor
Wait until the end of the month, then report them

Show answer

Answer: B. Report all injuries to the employer without undue delay

Section 4.2 says an employee must report all injuries to the employer without undue delay.

Question 23 of 25

A guard sprains an ankle on patrol and needs medical treatment. How soon must the employer's injury report reach WCB Nova Scotia?

Only if the guard misses a full month of work
Within 2 business days of learning about it
Within 30 calendar days of the date of injury
Within 6 months of the injury happening

Show answer

Answer: B. Within 2 business days of learning about it

WCB Nova Scotia says it must receive the employer's injury report within 2 business days when the worker needed medical treatment or missed time. Penalties can apply for late reports.

Question 24 of 25

A guard breaks a leg at work and is admitted to hospital. Under section 63 of the OHS Act, when must the employer notify the OHS Division?

Only if the guard asks for it in writing
Within 30 days, in the monthly report
As soon as possible, and within 24 hours
At the next joint committee meeting

Show answer

Answer: C. As soon as possible, and within 24 hours

Section 63 requires notice within 24 hours for serious injuries such as a leg fracture or a hospital admission, and immediately for a death.

Question 25 of 25

Which statement about Nova Scotia's 1-800-9LABOUR (1-800-952-2687) line is correct?

It is the line for fire alarm monitoring
It only takes calls on weekdays from 9 to 5
It is the line for security licence renewals
It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Show answer

Answer: D. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

The province's 1-800-9LABOUR line is active 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and calls about imminent danger or serious incidents get priority.

Nova Scotia Working Alone and Safety Course 2026

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