WorkSafeBC reports surplus of $672 million for 2010 • Alberta minister concerned about outcome of forklift safety campaign • New Brunswick announces patient-centered mental health action • Alberta’s workplace fatality rate up 24 per cent despite decreases in lost time rates • WCB Manitoba reports lower time loss injury rate in 2010 • Ontario blitz focuses on young worker safety
WorkSafeBC reports surplus of $672 million for 2010
VANCOUVER — WorkSafeBC had a surplus of $672 million last year, due primarily to investment returns on the board’s $12 billion accident fund. Revenues were higher than expected because of the investment returns, according to WorkSafeBC. Premium revenues were slightly higher than the organization planned, due to an increase in the provincial labour income, the board reported. Costs were lower in 2010 compared to 2009 because provincial injury rates and claim volumes decreased. The board was able to create a $50 million reserve in 2010 to fund initiatives to reduce workplace injuries and improve return to work outcomes, according to WorkSafeBC.
Alberta minister concerned about outcome of forklift safety campaign
EDMONTON — An inspection campaign on employers in Alberta with forklifts and other powered mobile equipment showed improvements are needed in safety on the devices. The inspection included 87 employers and 181 inspections and resulted in 214 orders. Among the orders issued 24 were related to requirements for proper inspection and maintenance, 20 resulted from failure to conduct a visual inspection prior to operating the equipment, 16 related to hazard assessment requirements and 14 related to worker training, competency and proper supervision to safely operate the equipment.
New Brunswick announces patient-centered mental health action
FREDERICTON — New Brunswick has announced a new action plan for mental health, which will take a patient-centered, recovery-based approach. The plan will include access to more specialized services in the province, according to the New Brunswick government. The plan defines an individual’s recovery as the ability to participate fully in treatment, live a meaningful life as he defines it, receive services that are best for that person and achieve a better quality of life. The plan will mean an emphasis on mental health promotion, change in service delivery, early identification of mental illness and a shift in the attitudes and values of residents. Initial funding for the plan was included in the province’s 2011-2012 budget.
Alberta’s workplace fatality rate up 24 per cent despite decreases in lost time rates
EDMONTON — Alberta’s workplace fatality rate rose 24 per cent in 2010, with 136 workplace-related fatalities. Despite decreases in the province’s lost-time claim rates, the 2010 rate of workplace deaths was 78 fatalities per million full-time jobs. The numbers are up from 2009 when there were 110 deaths. There were 165 workplace related fatalities in 2008. Of the 136 fatalities in 2010, 43 were workplace incidents, 31 were motor vehicle incidents and 62 were occupational disease. The 2010 numbers are among the highest ever recorded for occupational disease.
WCB Manitoba reports lower time loss injury rate in 2010
WINNIPEG — Manitoba saw a decrease in its time loss injury rate in 2010, according to the annual report from the province’s workers’ compensation board. The time loss injury rate decreased to an estimated 3.3 per 100 full-time workers in 2010, the lowest on record for Manitoba, said Doug Sexsmith, president and CEO of the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba.
Ontario blitz focuses on young worker safety
TORONTO — The Ontario Ministry of Labour is targeting employers with the launch of a new inspection blitz aimed at keeping new and young workers safe. Health and safety inspectors will be looking to ensure young workers are properly trained and supervised on jobs, are using proper equipment and procedures to prevent injuries and they meet minimum age requirements for the work they are doing. The focus will be on workplaces where youth are likely to be employed including restaurants, landscaping sites, arenas, mills, nursing homes, low-rise construction projects and farming operations, according to the Ministry of Labour. The four-month campaign started May 1.
VANCOUVER — WorkSafeBC had a surplus of $672 million last year, due primarily to investment returns on the board’s $12 billion accident fund. Revenues were higher than expected because of the investment returns, according to WorkSafeBC. Premium revenues were slightly higher than the organization planned, due to an increase in the provincial labour income, the board reported. Costs were lower in 2010 compared to 2009 because provincial injury rates and claim volumes decreased. The board was able to create a $50 million reserve in 2010 to fund initiatives to reduce workplace injuries and improve return to work outcomes, according to WorkSafeBC.
Alberta minister concerned about outcome of forklift safety campaign
EDMONTON — An inspection campaign on employers in Alberta with forklifts and other powered mobile equipment showed improvements are needed in safety on the devices. The inspection included 87 employers and 181 inspections and resulted in 214 orders. Among the orders issued 24 were related to requirements for proper inspection and maintenance, 20 resulted from failure to conduct a visual inspection prior to operating the equipment, 16 related to hazard assessment requirements and 14 related to worker training, competency and proper supervision to safely operate the equipment.
New Brunswick announces patient-centered mental health action
FREDERICTON — New Brunswick has announced a new action plan for mental health, which will take a patient-centered, recovery-based approach. The plan will include access to more specialized services in the province, according to the New Brunswick government. The plan defines an individual’s recovery as the ability to participate fully in treatment, live a meaningful life as he defines it, receive services that are best for that person and achieve a better quality of life. The plan will mean an emphasis on mental health promotion, change in service delivery, early identification of mental illness and a shift in the attitudes and values of residents. Initial funding for the plan was included in the province’s 2011-2012 budget.
Alberta’s workplace fatality rate up 24 per cent despite decreases in lost time rates
EDMONTON — Alberta’s workplace fatality rate rose 24 per cent in 2010, with 136 workplace-related fatalities. Despite decreases in the province’s lost-time claim rates, the 2010 rate of workplace deaths was 78 fatalities per million full-time jobs. The numbers are up from 2009 when there were 110 deaths. There were 165 workplace related fatalities in 2008. Of the 136 fatalities in 2010, 43 were workplace incidents, 31 were motor vehicle incidents and 62 were occupational disease. The 2010 numbers are among the highest ever recorded for occupational disease.
WCB Manitoba reports lower time loss injury rate in 2010
WINNIPEG — Manitoba saw a decrease in its time loss injury rate in 2010, according to the annual report from the province’s workers’ compensation board. The time loss injury rate decreased to an estimated 3.3 per 100 full-time workers in 2010, the lowest on record for Manitoba, said Doug Sexsmith, president and CEO of the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba.
Ontario blitz focuses on young worker safety
TORONTO — The Ontario Ministry of Labour is targeting employers with the launch of a new inspection blitz aimed at keeping new and young workers safe. Health and safety inspectors will be looking to ensure young workers are properly trained and supervised on jobs, are using proper equipment and procedures to prevent injuries and they meet minimum age requirements for the work they are doing. The focus will be on workplaces where youth are likely to be employed including restaurants, landscaping sites, arenas, mills, nursing homes, low-rise construction projects and farming operations, according to the Ministry of Labour. The four-month campaign started May 1.
