Understanding Risk Assessment and its Impact on Reducing WCB Premiums
What is Risk Assessment? Risk assessment is a vital process that helps businesses identify, evaluate, and manage potential hazards and risks within their operations. It involves a systematic examination of the workplace, tasks, and processes to determine potential sources of accidents or injuries to employees. By taking a proactive approach to safety, companies can create a safer work environment and improve employee well-being. In turn, these two factors alone, can help reduce the frequency and severity of work-related claims, ultimately resulting in lower Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) premiums. How does the Risk Assessment process work? Identifying Hazards: The first step is to recognize potential hazards in the workplace, which may range from physical factors (such as slippery floors or faulty machinery) to environmental issues (like exposure to harmful substances). Assessing Risk: After identifying the hazards, the next step is to assess the level of risk associated with each hazard. This […]
Today There Will Be Three…
April 28th marks the National Day of Mourning in Canada. A day to remember and honor workers who have lost their lives or suffered injuries on the job. This day is an important reminder of the ongoing need to prioritize workplace safety and prevent future tragedies. According to the latest statistics from the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC), in 2020, there were 925 workplace fatalities in Canada, which is a slight decrease from the 1,027 reported in 2019. However, this still represents almost 3 lives every day of the year, which is significant and highlights the need for continued efforts to improve workplace safety. In Alberta, the numbers are also concerning. According to the latest data from the Government of Alberta, there were 144 workplace fatalities in the province in 2020, up from 125 in 2019. This represents a 15% increase and underscores the need for more […]
Tick Tock – Time’s Running Out!
Starting to feel a little stressed? The deadline is looming! Every year, across Canada, employers are required to report their payroll earnings to their respective provincial or territorial workers’ compensation board (WCB). The WCB then uses the reported amounts to establish the premium assessment for each employer. Workers’ compensation boards are funded by employer contributions, or premiums, that are based on the level of risk associated with their particular industry. Typically, premiums are reflected as a specified dollar amount per $100 of payroll and are calculated based on maximum assessable earnings or the maximum annual earnings on which workers’ compensation premiums can be based. Sounds complicated? You bet! Establishing premiums is a complex, multifactorial process and assessable earnings are only one of many variables that are used in the calculations. Determining what part of payroll earnings are assessable and exactly what needs to be reported can be equally complicated, especially […]
Mental Health in the Workplace – Tips and facts for a healthy workforce
Canada will be activating a three-digit number for suicide prevention on November 30, 2023. If you’d like to know more about this, please visit the Government of Canada website. If you are in Canada and you, or someone you know, need help now, please continue to call 1.833.456.4566 any time, or text 45645 between 4 p.m. and midnight ET. Blue Monday, possibly the saddest day of the year, was January 16th and Bell Let’s Talk Day is January 25th. We are heading into the depths of winter and into the fourth year of dealing with the physical, financial and emotional impact of the COVID pandemic. It’s no wonder everyone is talking about mental health. The recent focus on the awareness and acceptance of mental illness and the effects that stress has on our overall well being only highlights the connection between workplace safety and a psychologically healthy work environment. ‘Blue […]
So Long 2022! What’s in Store for 2023?
For many it’s good-bye and good riddance with the promise of a better year to come. For others, especially employers, this will continue to be unprecedented times as the world, and the economy, finds its new equilibrium. Rising inflation, interest rates and production costs combined with managing a workforce, whether it is new hires, returning workers, remote working, hybrid work setups or health and safety modifications, the challenges facing employers are significant. So as we head into 2023, here are three major things to consider: WCB Premiums. Workers compensation boards across the county have recently issued their premium rate statements. The impact that the pandemic has had on operations over the past couple of years could affect how a business should be classified. A careful review of your premium calculations could uncover hidden savings Not sure what to look for, here are 10 things to check on your premium rate […]