QEII Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project Safety Spotlight

In a city growing as quickly as Halifax, construction has become part of the daily backdrop. What’s less obvious, but just as significant, is how much the approach to safety has evolved alongside that growth. Today’s job sites are not only busier, but they’re also smarter, more connected and more focused than ever before. 

Darrin Auchterlonie, safety program manager for the QEII Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project (HIEP), explained “the biggest shift I’ve seen is how AI-driven technologies are becoming commonplace on job sites.”   

What once relied heavily on manual checks is now supported by real-time monitoring and digital inspections. At HIEP, teams have even developed in-house mobile tools that deliver instant data and performance metrics. The result? “Safety is more proactive, consistent and effective for everyone,” he said.  

Auchterlonie points to the sheer scale of construction across the region and a surprising truth: “Despite the rapid growth, construction sites are getting safer for workers and the public.” He encourages anyone passing a site to take a closer look. Proper fencing, personal protective equipment, guardrails—these aren’t just details, they’re signs of an industry evolving. “Safety is a shared responsibility that protects everyone.” 

That idea takes on greater meaning at the QEII site, where construction unfolds alongside a fully operational hospital. Here, the stakes are even higher. “We’re building right beside patients and families navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives, as well as the doctors and nurses supporting them every step of the way,” he said. Beyond typical hazards, teams must manage infection control, minimize disruptions to critical systems and even consider the emotional impact of noise and activity. 

It’s a setting that reshapes how risk is approached. “Even a low-probability event can have serious consequences,” Auchterlonie noted, emphasizing a more conservative, highly collaborative process. Engineers, safety professionals and clinical staff work in constant co-ordination, proof that safety here extends far beyond the construction zone. 

As Construction Safety Week shines a spotlight on the people behind the progress, Auchterlonie’s message is clear and direct: “Your voice matters—if you see something, say something.” 

Because in a project this important, safety isn’t just a protocol. It’s a shared commitment to each other, and to the future being built for all Nova Scotians. 

Photo of Darren Auchterlonie.