Slips, Trips and Falls Happen
Slips, trips and falls happen— at home and at work. They account for 15-20% of all work-related accidents and are the leading cause of ‘time-loss’ injuries in Canada. Slips, trips and falls happen. They happen on construction sites, in offices, at schools, on oil rigs, in kitchens, at hospitals and on farms. They happen at heights and on the ground, in parking lots and on stairs, when you’re looking and especially when you’re not. Slips, trips and falls happen. And they are costly, not just in the direct costs of treating the resultant injury but also in the indirect costs like lost time, lost productivity, lost earnings and increased WCB premiums. What are slips and trips? Slips happen when there is too little friction or traction between the foot (or footwear) and the contact surface. Common causes of slips are : Wet or oily work areas Accidental spills […]
International RSI Awareness Day 2018
Over 2.3 million Canadian adults are diagnosed and learning to cope with repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) or musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) each year and this number is increasing steadily. The impact of these injuries and disorders, not only on the individuals involved but on our society as a whole is enormous, which is why the last day of February has been recognized as International RSI Awareness Day. These injuries and disorders can be crippling, seriously affecting the ability to work or even perform daily activities. They often develop slowly, over time and although there is some discussion about the direct cause, it is generally accepted that work-related activities can be a contributing factor to the onset, severity, and location of an RSI or MSD. The overuse of muscles in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck, and back are linked to RSI symptoms. The use of vibrating tools, forceful movements, repetitive actions […]
Duty to Accommodate and Further Changes to the WCB Alberta
UPDATE Section 88.1 of the Workers’ Compensation Act, concerning the obligation to return injured workers to work, came into force on September 1, 2018, and was subsequently repealed as of April 1, 2021. Although s.88.1 has been repealed, it still applies to claims with dates of accident from September 1, 2018, to March 31, 2021, inclusive. Employer and worker rights, obligations, and penalties for non-compliance provided for in the section continue for these claims as though the section were still in force. As part of the 2017 review of the Alberta Workers’ Compensation Act (WCA), the Alberta Government has recently passed legislation that will affect current Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) policy. Although some of the legislation is already in effect (details regarding those changes can be found in our recent blog here), there are further policy changes scheduled for the remainder of 2018. In an effort to ensure it provides […]
The WCB Alberta is Changing
In 2017, for the first time in more than 15 years, the WCB Alberta underwent a comprehensive review. The results of the review were compiled and introduced to the Alberta legislature as Bill 30: An Act to Protect the Health and Well-being of Working Albertans which was passed into law in late December 2017. The recommendations made by the review panel were to ensure a Workers’ Compensation system that is fair and provides greater benefits to support injured workers. But at what cost to employers? The amendments to the Workers’ Compensation Act (WCA) will be realized in the form of policy changes mostly affecting workers and employers. A number of policy changes came into effect January 2, 2018 and the rest will follow throughout 2018; some requiring additional input from concerned stakeholders. So, just what has changed and what does it mean to Alberta workers and employers? Let’s start with […]
How New Year’s Resolutions Can Improve Your Organization’s Productivity
Looking for a good way to get your staff engaged after the holidays? Well, it’s that time of year again and New Year’s Resolutions abound! Traditionally, the new year is seen as an opportunity to make positive lifestyle changes, to rid ourselves of bad habits and to improve our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. A time for a fresh start – out with old, in with the new, out with the bad and in with the good. Since we spend a good portion of our waking hours every week at work, why not switch it up this year and get your entire staff involved in the resolution making process? Using the workplace as the basis for setting new year’s resolutions can have significant benefits beyond achieving the personal goals that are intended. Allowing staff to work as a whole or in smaller groups with shared interests can create stronger social […]