B.C. introduces bill to expand mental stress coverage • Manitoba fire code changing Dec. 1 • WCB assessment rates steady in Newfoundland and Labrador • P.E.I. WCB reduces preliminary average assessment rate
British Columbia
B.C. introduces bill to expand mental stress coverage
British Columbia has introduced a bill to expand mental stress coverage under the Workers Compensation Act. Bill 14 would amend the act to expand compensation for mental stress arising from the course of the worker’s employment to go beyond the current requirement of “an acute reaction to a sudden and traumatic event” and include: the reaction to one or more traumatic events, the reaction to a significant work-related stressor and the reaction to a cumulative series of significant work-related stressors. Stress resulting from employment decisions like discipline, termination or a change in working conditions will continue to be excluded from coverage. To be eligible for mental stress compensation a recognized diagnosis will be required.
Manitoba
Manitoba fire code changing Dec. 1
A number of changes to the 2011 Manitoba Fire Code will be in effect starting Dec. 1. The 2011 Manitoba Fire Code, which is the 2010 National Fire Code with Manitoba amendments, includes changes such as requiring additional training for people who service special fire-suppression systems and portable fire extinguishers, including child-care facilities in the definition of a residential-care facility and requiring fire safety plans and fire department access at building construction and demolition sites including specific requirements for standpipe systems. The changes to the code will also mandate certain workplaces have carbon monoxide detectors onsite. Buildings such as child-care centres, hospitals, personal-care and residential-care facilities will be required to have carbon monoxide detection devices installed if there is a risk identified.
Newfoundland and Labrador
WCB assessment rates steady in Newfoundland and Labrador
The average assessment rate for employers in Newfoundland and Labrador will remain at $2.75 per $100 of payroll, according to the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (WHSCC). The commission also announced the province’s maximum compensable and assessable earnings limit for 2012. The maximum assessable earnings limit will increase from $51,595 to $52,885. About 53 per cent of employers will see a slight decrease in their assessment rates in 2012, while 47 per cent will remain the same or experience a slight increase. The increase in maximum compensable earnings reflects a 2.5 per cent increase in the consumer price index (CPI), according to the WHSCC. Any injured worker whose pre-injury earnings are at or above the new maximum compensable limit will be compensated based on the new limit effective Jan. 1, 2012, said the commission.
Prince Edward Island
P.E.I. WCB reduces preliminary average assessment rate
The Workers Compensation Board of Prince Edward Island has approved a $2 preliminary average assessment rate for 2012, representing a five cent reduction from 2011. The preliminary average assessment rate for 2012 is based on actuarial projections of the average rate required to cover claims costs for accident year 2012 together with an estimate of investment income and administration budget for 2012. The WCB provides the preliminary rate to assist employers with their budgeting processes. The preliminary rates for rate groups will be released as soon as the information is available, according to the WCB. P.E.I. employers will be informed of their individual assessment rates in January 2012.
