When discussing “lockout” in the context of volunteer fire departments in Nova Scotia, it’s essential to understand that it refers to “lockout/tagout” (LOTO) procedures related to occupational health and safety, not a labor dispute. Here’s a breakdown:
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Lockout/Tagout (LOTO):
- This is a safety procedure used to ensure that dangerous machines or equipment are properly shut off and not able to be started up again before maintenance or servicing work is completed.
- In a fire department setting, this could apply to various pieces of equipment, such as pumps, generators, or other machinery.
- The goal is to prevent accidental energization or startup of equipment that could cause injury.
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Nova Scotia Regulations:
- Nova Scotia has specific occupational health and safety regulations regarding lockout/tagout procedures.
- These regulations are designed to protect workers, including volunteer firefighters, from hazardous energy.
- These regulations are found within the Occupational Health and Safety Act (S.N.S. 1996, c. 7) and the Occupational Safety General Regulations (N.S. Reg. 44/99).
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Volunteer Fire Departments:
- Volunteer fire departments in Nova Scotia, like other workplaces, are required to adhere to these safety regulations.
- This means that they must have procedures in place to properly lock out and tag out equipment before maintenance or servicing is performed.
- Training is a large part of this, to ensure all members understand the procedures and risks.
Key points from the search results:
- The purpose of lockout/tagout is to ensure a “zero-energy state” before work is performed on potentially hazardous equipment.
- Proper training is essential for anyone performing lockout/tagout procedures.
- Nova Scotia’s occupational health and safety regulations provide detailed requirements for lockout/tagout.
Therefore, when you see “lockout” in this context, it’s referring to a critical safety procedure, not a labor action.