WCB Alberta Return to Work Programs – A Win-Win Approach
It has long been accepted that the sooner a worker can safely get back to work following an injury or illness the more likely they are to have a positive outcome. Even though they may not be completely recovered, just returning to the workplace, in some capacity, can be beneficial to their overall convalescence. The longer an injured or ill worker is away from their work environment, the more protracted and costly their recovery can be. While serious injuries and illnesses may understandably result in longer absences from work, the reality is that the majority of work related accidents are minor, requiring little or no time loss. By offering modified work programs that can be tailored to address the unique needs a worker may face, employers can mitigate claims costs by reducing or eliminating time loss from work while facilitating a safe and successful return to full duties. As a […]
Top 5 Canadian Workplace Safety Apps: Enhance Health, Safety, and Compliance
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Join ‘em! There is no denying it and there’s no going back, emerging technology is impacting every aspect of our lives, including workplace safety, and it’s here to stay. From OHS compliance, safety training and risk assessment to injury reporting and more, on-line applications can significantly improve workplace safety when used regularly and appropriately. The ability to identify hazards, instantly report accidents and injuries and remain current with OHS regulations and legislation, all contribute to creating and maintaining an efficient and effective work environment. Here are just a few of the most notable ways that workplace health and safety apps can enhance workplace safety: Streamlined Inspections and Audits Efficiency: Automates inspection and audit processes, reducing the time required to complete them. Consistency: Ensures standardized procedures are followed, leading to consistent and reliable safety checks. Real-time Reporting and Analytics Immediate Action: Enables […]
Employer Representatives: the Secret Weapon to WCB Premium Reduction
Managing Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) claims can be a frustratingly complex and time-consuming process for any organization. Not only do you have to be educated with regards to the Worker’s Compensation Act and WCB policies and procedures, you need to know when to act, what to question and when to back away. The wrong move at the wrong time can be costly in terms of man hours, claims cost accumulation, premium increases and productivity. Due to the recent rate of employee turnover seen in the past few years, many claims managers, adjudicators, case assistants and other WCB staff are inexperienced and/or overwhelmed. Without a solid understanding of WCB policies and procedures, administrative errors and questionable decisions are a real possibility and employers may end up absorbing a financial brunt of the fallout. Unless you can stay current with all the changes and maintain a hands-on approach to managing WCB claims, […]
Why Your Employees Need a WHMIS Certificate for Enhanced Workplace Safety
Learn why a WHMIS Certificate is essential for workplace safety and compliance, and how it benefits both employees and employers. Knowing what materials you are working with or working around and the dangers they can present is essential to avoiding on-the-job accidents. The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) certificate training is a cornerstone of workplace safety that every Canadian business should make a priority. Understanding WHMIS WHMIS is Canada’s national workplace communication standard introduced in 1988 and updated in 2015 to align with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The system designed to ensure the safety and health of workers through cautionary labelling of containers of WHMIS controlled products, the provision of material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and worker education and site-specific training programs. It ensures that employees fully understand the hazards associated with the products they work with. It also provides information on […]
Leveraging WCB Resources: Empowering Employers for Enhanced Workplace Safety
Across Canada, employers have a valuable ally in their quest for workplace safety: their provincial and territorial workers’ compensation board (WCB). Beyond its role in administering compensation claims, provincial WCBs offer a wealth of resources aimed at fostering a culture of safety and minimizing workplace incidents. From informative workshops to practical online tools, the WCB equips employers with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate safety requirements effectively while mitigating claims costs. For the purposes of this article, we will be focusing on the Alberta WCB but many of the resources and services are offered by workers’ compensation boards across Canada. You can find links to their websites below. Workshops and Seminars: Engaging with WCB workshops and seminars is akin to attending masterclasses in workplace safety. These sessions are tailored to address specific industry challenges, providing invaluable insights into risk assessment, hazard mitigation, and regulatory compliance. Covering topics on everything […]