News briefs: OHS news from across Canada and around the world

WCB P.E.I. rolls out 2012 operational plan

CHARLOTTETOWN — The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) of Prince Edward Island has introduced its operational plan for 2012. The document describes the actions the WCB will take to achieve the goals of its 2007-2012 strategic plan. It looks at steps to fulfilling goals in key action areas including injury prevention, improving outcomes for workers with soft tissue injuries, service delivery, information technology, human resources, legislation and strategic planning. In the area of information technology the board plans to incorporate e-business standards into system upgrade initiatives. The actions for improving HR include developing and incorporating core competencies for managers and leaders and evaluating the performance of management. In terms of financial goals, the board plans to implement employer assessment payroll audit improvements and monitor the impacts of changing accounting standards on the financial position. The plan is available at: www.wcb.pe.ca/DocumentManagement/Document/pub_operationalplan2012.pdf

WCB Manitoba opens new office in Brandon

Brandon, Man. — The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB) has opened a new office in Brandon. The office will service workers and employers located in Brandon and surrounding areas. The office will provide initial adjudication of claims and case management functions. It will also offer a range of services such as health care examinations, vocational rehabilitation and SAFE Work services as well as some assessment services. In the past, customers travelled to Winnipeg for these services or Winnipeg staff traveled to Brandon. Since hiring Dan Robertson as regional director in May, the new office has hired a total of 15 employees. The WCB now has three offices in Manitoba, including a head office in Winnipeg and a small satellite office in Thompson that provides initial adjudication of claims and case management services.

WCB Manitoba appoints new president and CEO

WINNIPEG — Winston Maharaj has joined the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB) as the new president and CEO. Most recently, Maharaj was CEO at the Employees Benefit Plans Manitoba (HEB). In this role, he was responsible for strategic and operational planning for the organization as well as being the primary contact between HEB operations and the board of trustees. Maharaj has experience in the public sector, having held a number of positions with the Manitoba government. Maharaj holds a masters degree in public administration, a bachelors of commerce degree as well as certificates in pension plan administration and global benefits management.

New president and CEO of WorkSafeNB appointed

SAINT JOHN — Gerard Adams of has been appointed the new president and chief executive officer of WorkSafeNB. Adams will begin his five-year term on Feb. 27. He is a chief executive and chartered accountant, with more than 25 years of senior executive experience in a diverse range of enterprises and industries in Atlantic Canada. Most recently, he was president and CEO of the Credit Union Central of New Brunswick. Adams brings with him the leadership and experience required to lead WorkSafeNB effectively, said Sharon Tucker, board chair of WorkSafeNB. The appointment was made by the Crown corporation’s board of directors and approved by cabinet, in accordance with the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission Act. WorkSafeNB is also responsible for administering the Workers’ Compensation Act, the Firefighters’ Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Adams will succeed Douglas Stanley, who served as president and chief executive officer from 2000 to 2011.

WCB Nova Scotia appoints new CEO

HALIFAX — Stuart MacLean has been appointed CEO of the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) of Nova Scotia. MacLean has been with the WCB since 1986. He served in a number of leadership roles across the organization, including assessments, prevention and claims management, culminating in his most recent position as vice-president of service delivery. He has been the acting CEO since August 2011. As CEO, MacLean will guide the continued implementation of the WCB’s strategic plan, working together with many stakeholders and partners across the province. MacLean holds a business degree from Acadia University and an executive MBA from Saint Mary’s University. He is an active volunteer in the community and sits on the board of governors of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.

New vice-chair appointed to N.B. Appeals Tribunal

SAINT JOHN, N.B. — Jean Raymond Wade has been appointed as vice-chairperson of WorkSafeNB’s Appeals Tribunal for a three-year term. Wade, who holds a BA and LLB from l’Université de Moncton, has practised law since 1990. His expertise lies in family law, criminal law, charter cases, civil litigation, and personal and work-related injury claims, WorkSafeNB said. Wade has significant experience with tribunals, on both sides of the bench — representing clients and writing decisions. He currently chairs both the New Brunswick Mental Health Tribunal and the Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal and is currently a member and past chair of the New Brunswick Labour Employment Commission. In his role as vice-chair, Wade, who is  bilingual, will chair Appeals Panel hearings with two other Appeals Tribunal members. Appeals Panel hearings are held throughout the province in the official language chosen by the person submitting the appeal.

New OHS scholarship for University of Alberta accepting applications

EDMONTON — The Job Safety Skills Society is accepting applications for a new occupational health and safety scholarship. The James Rintoul OH&S Memorial Scholarship is funded by the society to support the completion of an Occupational Health and Safety Certificate taken through the Faculty of Extension at the University of Alberta. The scholarship will cover the cost of completing OHS courses and earning an OHS certificate through the Faculty of Extension. For the annual scholarship winner, the costs of enrolling in courses leading to the earning of certificate will be paid by the society up to a total of $5,500. The annual scholarship is a one-time award and non-transferable.The application deadline for the scholarship is May 1. For more information visit www.jobsafetyskills.com/scholarship.html.

WorkSafe Saskatchewan rolls out youth safety contest

REGINA — WorkSafe Saskatchewan is rolling out a contest to promote work safety messages through an online campaign that tells youth “if it feels wrong, it probably is wrong.” The campaign and contest encourage young workers to ask questions, said Phil Germain, executive director of prevention at the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB). The campaign is called Work2live. WorkSafe Saskatchewan is inviting Saskatchewan youth to watch videos to learn about working safely. Younger workers experience higher rates of injury than other workers do. One in four workplace injuries reported to the Saskatchewan WCB involve a worker younger than 25 years of age. Watching the videos earns contest entrants a weekly free music download and an entry into a weekly draw for a $300 Walmart gift card. Youth can earn more entries by sharing with friends on Facebook. The contest runs for nine weeks. For contest details visit www.facebook.com/WorkSafeSK or www.worksafesask.ca/youth/facebook_contest.

WorkSafeBC imposes almost $5 million in penalties for 2011

VANCOUVER — WorkSafeBC imposed 352 penalties in 2011, totaling $4,883,489.89 against employers for violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and the Workers Compensation Act in British Columbia. The 352 penalties were imposed against 289 individual employers, with penalty amounts ranging from $700 to $250,000. A total of 15 penalties involved work-related fatalities. The highest penalty in 2011 was imposed against Peter Kiewit Infrastructure for an incident in which a worker was fatally struck by a rock estimated to be over 1.5 m in diameter. The firm had allowed work to proceed without clearing loose material uphill. Unstable material had been identified in risk assessments and the firm had failed to adequately train workers for the land clearing work. Peter Kiewit Infrastructure was fined $250,000. WorkSafeBC applies a penalty where there has been a serious or repeated violation of occupational health and safety laws and regulations, where a sanction is required to motivate the specific employer to comply with the law and where the sanction can act as a deterrent for others. Penalty amounts vary year over year due to the size of employers penalized (employers with larger payrolls are assessed higher penalties) and the seriousness of the violations. In certain circumstances, claim costs may be applied in addition to the penalty; and in extraordinary circumstances, WorkSafeBC has the ability to go beyond prescribed limits and increase the penalty amount.