November 22, 2007
WCB rates increasing; high incidence of injuries during opening weeks
HALIFAX / YARMOUTH, November 22, 2007 - Thousands of fishermen across southwest Nova Scotia will take to the water on Monday – and the province’s workplace safety champion is issuing a reminder to workers and employers to take every precaution on the job to ensure they come safely back to port.
WCB stats paint a daunting picture of workplace injury’s impact on the fishing industry.
In 2006, there were 490 fishing industry claims submitted to the WCB, including 51 in December – more than any other single month. 208 of those 490 injuries resulted in lost time. In fact, about 1 in 20 of all workers in the fishing industry who are covered by the WCB was injured seriously enough to lose time from work.
And, tragically, four Nova Scotians have died working in the fishing industry since 2005.
“About 42 per cent of claims in fishing were lost-time claims,” says WCB Vice President of Prevention, Stuart MacLean. “Meanwhile, 26 per cent of all claims we receive are time-loss. So it’s not just that people get hurt in fishing – they tend to be seriously hurt.”
The seafood processing sector also has its share of injury, with 556 injuries in 2006, including 166 time-loss injuries.
While injuries related to the weather, conditions at sea, and overloaded boats can be serious and tragic, many injuries are also musculoskeletal – caused by hazards associated with the way work is designed and carried out, such as excessive force from lifting or other tasks.
“The province’s epidemic of workplace injury is one that affects all sectors,” says MacLean. “But fishing in the winter months involves particularly harsh conditions. This week, it is timely to remind the men and women in our fishing, processing, and aquaculture sectors to check their safety equipment and work procedures to ensure no one gets hurt this season.”
The premiums paid by fishing industry employers for workplace injury insurance are among the highest in Nova Scotia. At $7.29 per $100 of payroll, their average rate is nearly three times the overall average rate of $2.65 - a direct result of the number and severity of injuries. The rate is $7.22 in 2007.
“Claims costs drive the costs of insurance. If, for example, an industry experiences five per cent of overall system costs, that industry will pay five percent of the revenue necessary to fund the system,” says MacLean. “In fishing, as in all industries, the way to lower rates is to lower claims costs. Reduce costs, and you reduce premiums – it’s that simple.”
WCB injury stats reflect only WCB-covered operations. Employers with three or more employees are required to have coverage. Because many fishing operations are smaller, not all injuries would appear in WCB statistics.
“In this particular lobster area, operations tend to be larger, and more fishing operations have WCB coverage,” says Lisa Anderson, Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council. “We join the WCB in wishing all fishermen a safe opening day, and a safe and productive season.”
For seafood processing, the 2008 rate is $5.25, up from $4.96 in 2007. Employers in aquaculture pay will pay $4.07 per $100 of assessable payroll in 2008, down from $4.64 in 2007.
All sectors are still well above Nova Scotia’s average assessment rate of $2.65, and have generally been on the increase for several years.
“Our industry, like many industries, has an opportunity to improve its safety performance,” says Anderson. “Everyone involved in the industry needs to understand that workers’ compensation is an insurance system, and performance affects premiums paid. It is not a social safety net.”
The Fisheries Sector Council produces a booklet called Fish Safe, which includes best practices in safety for both the fishing and aquaculture sectors. Employers who have questions about coverage or how to get started with a workplace safety program can contact the WCB.
“These industries form an important part of our culture in Nova Scotia,” says MacLean. “That work has incredible value, contributing millions to our economy every year. It is paramount that this work be done safely, to reduce the terrible human and financial toll workplace injury takes in this province.”
Background: WCB
The Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB) is committed to keeping Nova Scotians safe and secure from workplace injury. The WCB provides workplace injury insurance for more than 18,000 employers, representing about 300,000 workers across the province. The WCB sets the standard for workplace injury insurance by informing and inspiring Nova Scotians in the prevention of workplace injury. If an injury occurs, we support those whose lives it touches by championing a timely return to safe and healthy work.
Background: Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council
The Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council is dedicated to planning and implementing human resource development strategies to attract new entrants to aquaculture, fish harvesting and processing careers, and promoting competitiveness and higher quality standards for seafood products. We want to involve industry stakeholders at all levels in expanding investment and participation in human resource development activities.
For more information please contact:
Michelle MacLean, Senior Communications Advisor
Workers' Compensation Board
5668 South Street
Halifax, NS
p) 902-491-8102 c) 902-240-1755
michelle.maclean@wcb.gov.ns.ca
http://worksafeforlife.ca
Lisa Anderson, Executive Director
NS Fisheries Sector Council
38-B John Street, Yarmouth, N.S. B5A 3H2
Phone: 902-742-6167
nsfsc@klis.com
http://www.nsfsc.ca/
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
WCB, Fisheries Sector Council call for
safe lobster season
November 22, 2007
Selected Injury Descriptions
From time-loss claims in fishing
November to December, 2006
BOAT ROLLED, FELL DOWN STAIRS
KNOCKED DOWN WHEN SEA BROKE OVER SIDE
BOAT ROLLED, RAKE SLIPPED, FOOT JAMMED BY BAR
GOING DOWN STEPS WHILE CARRYING A BUCKET OF SCALLOPS AND FELT SHARP PAIN IN BACK
SWELL OCCURED, THROWN INTO AIR, UPON IMPACT INJURED FOOT
HAULING LOBSTER POTS THE HYDRAULIC HOIST HAULED POT IN HAND BENDING THUMB BACK
A WAVE HIT BOAT AND TOSSED OUT OF BUNK, DISLOCATED HIP
BOAT ROLLED AND WORKER LOST BALANCE AND FELL AGAINST BENCH WITH POT LANDING ON TOP OF WORKER
ANCHOR CAME DOWN AND PINNED HAND BETWEEN ANCHOR AND BOAT
FELL 6-7' LANDING ON WOOD FLOOR
HELPING TO HAUL IN LOBSTER TRAPS ANCHOR GOT STUCK, PULLED IT, LET GO AND HIT CHEST
SLIPPED ON DECK AND TWISTED BACK WHILE TRYING TO CATCH HIMSLEF FROM FALLING
ARM PAIN DUE TO EXCESSIVE HAND/WRIST ACTION OF MAKING BOXES
OVEREXERTION IN LIFTING A BOX OF BAIT
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
WCB, Fisheries Sector Council call for
safe lobster season
November 22, 2007
WCB Claims by month, salt water fishing, 2006
TOTAL
January 42
February 27
March 39
April 43
May 39
June 47
July 47
August 34
September 38
October 45
November 38
December 51
490
Average Rates by Industry Sector, 2000-2008
Dollars per $100 of assessable payroll
Assessment Fishing Processing Aquaculture
Year Rate Rate Rate
2000 6.48 3.44 2.27
2001 6.53 3.21 2.87
2002 6.29 2.98 3.27
2003 6.48 3.58 3.92
2004 6.31 4.04 4.70
2005 6.69 4.29 5.42
2006 7.19 4.95 4.42
2007 7.22 4.96 4.64
2008 7.29 5.25 4.07
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
WCB, Fisheries Sector Council call for
safe lobster season
November 22, 2007
Fishing safety tips: From the Fish Safe Handbook
Published by the Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council
Loading the Boat
If you load the traps too high, your boat may capsize. Don't stack the traps too high. Stack the traps evenly around the deck, making sure to not clutter the deck with unnecessary traps or gear.
Setting the traps
If your foot or hand gets caught in the gear, you can be hauled overboard. Crew members not involved in setting the traps should stay clear of the operation. Wear boots with good treads. Keep an eye on your work and don't be distracted.
Hauling back the traps
Stand clear of the hauler unless it is your job to make sure it is functioning properly. Have the emergency shut-off within easy reach of the hauler operator. Keep your hands clear of the running line - never grab the line.
Gaffing a buoy
Don't overreach to gaff a buoy - may cause falling overboard or strain.
Source:
Fish Safe Handbook
Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council
NS Fisheries Sector Council
38-B John Street, Yarmouth, N.S. B5A 3H2
Phone: 902-742-6167
nsfsc@klis.com
http://www.nsfsc.ca/