When a serious injury or an explosion occurs in the workplace, employers must immediately report the incident to the Occupational Health and Safety Division by calling the 24/7 Emergency Line at 902-628-7513.
Serious Injuries
A serious injury can include any of the following:
- Unconsciousness
- A fracture
- Loss of a limb
- Substantial loss of blood
- An amputation of leg, arm, hand, or foot
- A burn to a major portion of the body
- Lost sight in an eye
- A fatality
When reporting a serious injury, you must provide the following information:
- The nature of the incident and the injury.
- The date, time, and location of the incident.
- The name of the employer.
- The name of each person involved in the incident.
You must not disturb the scene of an incident where a serious injury occurred, except to:
- Attend to the person who has been injured or killed;
- Prevent further injuries; or
- Protect property that is endangered because of the accident.
The scene of the incident must be preserved until directed by an Occupational Health and Safety Officer.
If a workplace has a Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee, the committee must also be notified about the serious injury.
Explosions
Employers must report all accidental workplace explosions to the WCB’s OHS Division regardless of whether anyone is injured.
24-hour OHS emergency line
Our Occupational Health and Safety Emergency Line is open 24/7. To report all serious injuries, explosions, or other urgent workplace safety matters, please call 902-628-7513.
For more information about reporting serious injuries and explosions, view Posting Requirements and Reporting Serious Injuries.
Printable posters outlining what to do in the event of a serious workplace injury or explosion are also available, in both English and en français.
If you have further questions about reporting serious injuries and explosions, please contact us.