Nova Scotia Technical Safety Review: Survey Results
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Nova Scotia Technical Safety Review
Survey results
April 2008
Juanita Cirtwill, Member Services Counsellor/Policy Analyst
As part of its effort to reduce the regulatory burden in Nova Scotia, government is considering consolidating the five Technical Safety Acts into one. To help shape the process, CFIB surveyed its members on current challenges with the Acts to provide recommendations for a combined Act.
The need for clarity, consistency, timelin In an effort to streamline cumbersome regulations and in keeping with its commitment to reduce the regulatory burden, a review is currently underway of Nova Scotia’s five technical safety Acts. The purpose of the review is to determine whether these Acts can be consolidated and streamlined to reflect technological change, improve consistency, and meet the needs of a changing economy, while upholding safety standards. The five Acts under review are the Amusement Devices Safety Act, Crane Operators and Power Engineers Act, Electrical Installation and Inspection Act, Elevators and Lifts Act, Steam Boilers and Pressure Vessels Act.
Given its linkage to regulatory reform and its interest in developing workable, practical, and meaningful regulations, CFIB was asked to provide feedback to the review to ensure representation of the small business. To provide this information, CFIB surveyed members operating businesses in the construction industry. Though the sample size for the survey was relatively small, albeit statistically valid, CFIB believes the information collected will be of great value to
the review process. The results are as follows.
Fewer than one-half of respondents said they were undecided on whether the acts should be combined or not; 36 per cent supported such a move; and 16 per cent oppose. The high percentage of undecided members may be a reflection of the fact that business owners are focused on what they need to do to be in compliance, as opposed to how many acts they need to comply with. Whether they must comply with five acts or one is of little consequence if the requirements are equally impractical or costly.ess and ongoing communication were highlighted by small business owners.
