Courthouses in Halifax and Dartmouth are being studied to determine the best way to improve safety and security for both employees and the public.

The examination of security measures at the courthouses comes on the heels of a number of incidents that have highlighted several safety concerns at the Halifax location.

Following a successful pilot project, Nova Scotia’s Department of Education says it’s ready to introduce new curriculum that will teach all high school students in the province about safety hazards and preventing injuries in the workplace.

Crown attorneys in Nova Scotia want the province’s Department of Labour and Workforce Development to investigate security and safety issues at the Halifax and Dartmouth courthouses, citing incidents of violence against Crown attorneys, workers and others inside these buildings.

This past weekend 92 family members came together at a forum that deals with workplace tragedy and its impact on Atlantic Canadian families.

The forum aimed to allow families to network and learn coping skills that will help them with the healing journey, said Sian Gibson, program manager for partnerships and communications at Threads of Life, a national not-for-profit organization and one of the sponsors.

The busy holiday shopping season was risky business when it came to workplace injury.
 
Although 2008 numbers are not yet final, preliminary Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) of Nova Scotia statistics show 565 workers were injured in the retail sector in November and December. On December 23rd, one of the busiest shopping days of the holiday season, 15 people were injured – almost double the daily average.