What is Partnership in Injury Reduction (PIR) and How to Get Involved
The Time is Now! Register in WCB Alberta’s Partnerships in Injury Reduction (PIR) by December 31, 2024 and to be eligible for PIR refunds for 2024 and 2025 The annual Experience Rating statements will be issued in only a couple of months, so now is a good time for employers to look at ways to maintain or improve their WCB premium rate. In Alberta, your claims experience from the past three years is used to establish your premium rate for the coming year – in other words, your WCB claims from 2021, 2022 and 2023 will be used to determine your premium rate for 2025. Although you can not change past performance, what you do from this point forward can have a significant impact on your WCB premium rates in the future. What Is PIR and How to Get Involved: One way that Alberta employers can realize WCB premium […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Strategic Role of Employer Participation in WCB Sponsored Programs
It’s Not Too Late! Register in WCB Alberta’s Partnerships in Injury Reduction (PIR) by December 31, 2023 and still be eligible for PIR discounts for 2023 and 2024 In an effort to encourage employers to actively engage in creating safer work environments, Workers’ Compensation Boards (WCBs) often offer programs aimed at reducing occupational injuries and promoting workplace safety. Taking advantage of these programs can be a proactive approach to managing or reducing WCB premiums. Programs may differ in other provinces and jurisdictions but in Alberta, there are three notable initiatives: Partnerships In Injury Reduction (PIR), Certificate of Recognition (COR), and Occupational Injury Service (OIS). Partnerships In Injury Reduction (PIR): PIR is a collaborative initiative between employers, workers, and the WCB. The program encourages the development and implementation of effective health and safety management systems. Employers involved in PIR commit to continuous improvement, employee training, and the establishment of a safety […]
Promoting Employee Wellness: A Key to Ensuring Health and Safety in the Workplace
Employee wellness has been gaining more and more traction over the past few years, especially since the pandemic. It has become a focal point for all businesses, and for good reason. A healthy and happy workforce not only enhances job satisfaction but also plays a crucial role in ensuring health and safety in the workplace. By promoting employee wellness, companies can create a positive work environment, reduce accidents, boost productivity, and ultimately, drive success. With the rise in popularity of the remote office, the crossover between an employee’s work life and home life is even more intertwined. How they are coping and managing at home impacts how they are coping and managing at work and vice versa. Providing a healthy workplace culture can be a supportive reinforcement of a worker’s overall wellness or an incentive to take what is initiated in the workplace and incorporate it into their home life. […]