Implementing an Effective Safety Program: A Smart Strategy to Reduce WCB Premiums
Beginning with the basics and creating a solid foundation is key to ensuring a successful outcome and workplace safety is no exception. A well implemented health and safety management program (HSMP) lays the groundwork for how employees operate throughout their day and perform their job duties. Not only does it foster a positive work environment, but it can have a significant impact on the financial bottom line by reducing workers compensation claims and ultimately WCB premiums. Here’s how: First and foremost, an effective HSMP creates a proactive culture of safety within the organization. By establishing clear safety policies, procedures, and training programs, businesses can empower their employees to identify and mitigate workplace hazards. This proactive approach reduces the number of accidents, injuries, and illnesses, which results in fewer worker compensation claims. Fewer claims and less severe injuries will naturally lead to lower WCB premiums over time. Secondly, a strong HSMP […]
How to Lower WCB Premiums
Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) premiums in Alberta are determined based on various factors, including industry classification, past claim history, and total assessable payroll. The calculations can be complicated and complex with seemingly little that is within an employer’s control. While many of the components and formulas used to determine premiums rates are fixed, there are some simple strategies employers that can have a positive impact. The single most important thing an employer should focus on is claims. How to prevent them, how to manage them and how to stop them from happening again. Reducing claim costs has a direct impact on lowering WCB premiums and there are steps employers can take before, during or after a work-related incident that can improve the outlook significantly. Over the next few months, we will be exploring these avenues in greater depth. In the meantime, here are 10 ways Alberta employers can reduce their […]
Understanding the Significance of Physical Demands Analysis
In today’s post-pandemic, fast-paced and ever changing world, ensuring the health, safety, and productivity of employees is becoming increasingly more important and challenging for organizations across all industries. Employers need to focus their time and resources on what is within their control rather than what is not. An effective health and safety management program is one that embraces prevention, preparedness and planning in an effort to avoid or address incidents, accidents and injuries. A key component of any health and safety management program is a current and accurate Physical Demands Analysis (PDA) of all positions in the organization. Physical Demands Analysis Defined: Physical Demands Analysis is a systematic approach used to evaluate the physical requirements of job tasks. By analyzing the demands placed on employees, organizations can identify potential risks, design appropriate interventions, improve overall workplace ergonomics and facilitate return to work options for injured or ill workers. A PDA […]
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 […]
Construction Safety Hazards and How to Address Them
Spring is sprung, the grass is riz, but what about the construction biz? Even though construction is ongoing throughout the year, springtime marks the start of the busiest period for the industry as a whole. Roadwork, excavation, erecting buildings and other outdoor work have all been on hiatus, or at least cut back, through the winter months just waiting to ramp up as soon as the weather allows. With this increase in productivity is an increase in risk of injury or accident on the jobsite. Now is the time to start reviewing safety hazards and educating your workforce on how to avoid workplace incidents. There are several common construction safety hazards that workers may face on construction sites. Here are a few examples: Falls: Construction workers often work at heights, which can lead to falls. These can occur from ladders, scaffolding, roofs, or other elevated surfaces.Electrical hazards: Workers may come […]