Nova Scotia sees decrease in 2011 time-loss injuries • Saskatchewan marks 9 years of decreasing lost-time injuries • WorkSafeNB unveils 2011 workplace report • Ontario’s WSIB releases 2012-2016 strategic plan
Nova Scotia sees decrease in 2011 time-loss injuries
Halifax — The number of time-loss injuries in Nova Scotia workplaces has dropped to a new low, according to the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) of Nova Scotia’s 2011 annual report. Last year, 6,616 Nova Scotians suffered a workplace injury that resulted in time lost from work. The 2011 statistics represent a 27 per cent decrease since 2005 and a four per cent decrease from 2010. Assessable payroll, the WCB’s measure for the number of covered workers, has consistently increased. The injury rate — the number of people per 100 covered workers who are seriously injured on the job — is 2.02, the lowest it’s been since the current measuring format was put in place, the WCB said. In other encouraging news, the vast majority of workers — 95 per cent — were eligible to return to full-time employment after their injury. There were 40,391 fewer workdays lost due to injury —the equivalent of 110 person-years of work, according to the WCB. There were 27 workplace fatalities in 2011. Six of those deaths were due to acute incidents in the workplace, while 21 were due to conditions arising from previous exposures or other health conditions. The number of acute fatalities has been declining in recent years, the WCB said. Volatility in financial markets continues to impact the WCB’s investment portfolio, and has contributed to an overall comprehensive loss of $65.5 million.
Saskatchewan marks 9 years of decreasing lost-time injuries
Regina — Last year was the ninth straight year Saskatchewan saw a drop in time-loss injuries, according to the province’s Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB). The province’s time-loss injury rate was 3.05 per cent, a decrease of 2.3 per cent from 2010. As the time loss injury rate went down in 2011, however, the total injury rate increased from 8.7 per cent in 2010 to 8.73 per cent. The WCB and Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety (LRWS) forged the WorkSafe Saskatchewan injury prevention partnership in 2002. The WorkSafe goal is to eliminate workplace illness, injury and death. Since its inception, Saskatchewan’s total injury rate has improved by 24 per cent.
WorkSafeNB unveils 2011 workplace report
Fredericton — WorkSafeNB’s 2011 report reveals a decrease in injury frequency and a strong funding status. The report includes WorkSafeNB’s goals and targets, set by the board of directors. It also includes performance measurements and financial statements. In 2011, WorkSafeNB met targets for safety, return-to-work, balance and staff satisfaction and engagement. Injury frequency decreased by one per cent, with New Brunswick recording the second lowest injury frequency rate in the country, according to WorkSafeNB. Claim duration decreased by 1.2 per cent. As a result of lower than budgeted claims and administration costs, WorkSafeNB recorded an operating surplus of $55 million, resulting in a funded position of 116.9 per cent. The organization’s funding position has allowed for a decrease in the provisional average assessment, from $2.08 in 2010 to $2 in 2011 and to $1.70 for 2012.
Ontario’s WSIB releases 2012-2016 strategic plan
Toronto — Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has released its four year strategic plan. Priorities areas for 2012 include: financial integrity, integrated recovery and return to work, defined workers’ compensation plan, talent management and stakeholder respect and trust. Each priority area has programs and projects listed that the organization intends to pursue. Under the stakeholder respect and trust priority one project is an engagement program. Initiatives in 2012 include transition of the prevention mandate to the Ministry of Labour and preparation for the implementation of Bill 119, which will make WSIB coverage mandatory for independent operators, sole proprietors, some partners in a partnership and some executive officers who work in the construction industry. The change will result in the addition of 90,000 employers covered by the WSIB. The strategic plan is available online at: www.wsib.on.ca.
