Safety First in Cape Breton
The Safety First in Cape Breton Network works to make Unama'ki - Cape Breton the safest place to work and invest!
Championing a safer Unama’ki – Cape Breton for workplaces, employees, and families.
The Safety First in Cape Breton Network was formed by a passionate group of health and safety leaders in 2012 from the Cape Breton Partnership, the Nova Scotia Department of Labour & Advanced Education (now the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration), and the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia.
Created to help address business needs and improve workplace health and safety culture, the Safety First in Cape Breton Network is an Island-wide initiative that promotes the importance of a strong health and safety culture in workplaces, provides opportunities to network and engage with other safety practitioners, and learning opportunities to help enhance HSE programs across Unama’ki – Cape Breton.
Mission
To demonstrate leadership by providing safe work environments for employees, distributing online newsletters to share with industry about safety related topics, highlight the work of the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration and the Workers Compensation Board of Nova Scotia, and showcase safety champions across Unama’ki – Cape Breton.
Safety First in Cape Breton Planning Committee
The Safety First Planning Committee is comprised of more than 15 individuals across several sectors. We are always looking for additions to the committee. If you are interested in joining the committee, please fill out an application form below!
Safety First in Cape Breton Symposium
The Safety First in Cape Breton Network is known for its annual signature event: the Safety First in Cape Breton Symposium. This annual event features a full day of speakers, networking, panels, a trade show, and more for an audience of over 200 professionals focused on making Unama’ki – Cape Breton safer for workplaces and employees. The Symposium offers workplaces a great way to network and share their offerings with several key industries.
Lunch & Learns
In 2024 the Safety First in Cape Breton Network was excited to hold the second annual Safety in the Strait: Lunch & Learn. This session brought together businesses and leaders from across the Strait Region to hear updates from the Department of Labour, Skills & Immigration and Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia, keynote speaker Calum MacPhee, a panel discussion featuring local OH&S Trainers, and a chance to brainstorm and network with the local business community!
Stay tuned for future updates on Safety in the Strait and other Safety First in Cape Breton Events!
Safety First in Cape Breton Awards
The Safety First in Cape Breton Awards annually recognize individuals, businesses and committees who support building a strong culture of occupational health and safety in workplaces across Unama’ki – Cape Breton, and who go above and beyond the call of duty to innovate, continuously improve, and make a difference.
Presented annually at the Safety First in Cape Breton Symposium, the Awards are proudly chosen by the Safety First in Cape Breton Network’s Planning Committee, honouring those individuals and businesses who are committed to the advancement of workplace health and safety and promoting the total wellbeing (including physical, psychosocial, and mental health) of our region’s workplaces and workforce.
The 2025 nominations for the Safety First in Cape Breton Awards are now open. Please submit your nominations by May 1, 2025.
Stay informed
The Safety First in Cape Breton Network produces a bi-monthly newsletter, highlighting any new information that employers may need to know.
Want to learn more about the Safety First in Cape Breton Network?
Contact Carly Appleton, Communications Coordinator, at carly@capebretonpartnership.com.