Working alone in Nova Scotia: Lone-worker guidance and isolated-workplace first aid

Authority and scope

Lone-worker guidance and isolated-workplace first aid

Authority or guidance: Nova Scotia Workplace Health and Safety Regulations, Part 4; lone-worker guidance

The provincial lone-worker guide discusses hazard assessment and controls. Current first-aid duties are in Part 4 of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulations. Section 4.18 requires a written first-aid plan for each isolated workplace unless section 4.19 applies. The plan must address Part 4 compliance, transport of injured employees and communication to and from the site, reflect the work and be followed by everyone there.

The 2014 lone-worker guide cites the former First Aid Regulations, repealed effective June 13, 2022. Treat those first-aid references as historical; use Part 4 of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulations for current first-aid requirements.

Put the guidance to work

Questions for your plan

What hazards arise from the specific task and location, and does the task require another person?

What to review

Consult the committee or representative, if one exists, when developing the plan. Section 4.1 defines an isolated workplace by surface travel time of 40 minutes or more, using its specific definition of travel time. Check section 4.19 before relying on an exception: it sets time-at-site thresholds over four weeks and, for the office exception, additional safety conditions. Being alone does not by itself determine this first-aid classification.

Some work requires another person on site. Remote monitoring does not replace that requirement or the organization's own assessment, training and emergency procedures.

Explore client visits and public-facing work

Check the current source

Official sources

Sources listed November 6, 2026. Links and requirements can change.

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Discuss your work

Talk through your team's plan

Be Safe can explain how check-ins, human monitoring and Emergency Contacts fit your team's work. Your organization remains responsible for determining its requirements and procedures.

Contact Be Safe