Snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice-related workplace injuries up 64 per cent

April 8, 2008 – HALIFAX, NS – Snow removal budgets aren’t the only high cost of a winter marked by heavy, wet snow and freezing rain. Workplace injuries related to snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice increased significantly this past winter according to stats issued by the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB).

Between December 2007 and March 2008, there were 1037 workplace injuries related to winter weather – a 64 per cent jump from last year and twice as many injuries as the winter before that. Of those 1037 injuries, 311 were serious enough that the injured worker lost time from their job.

"There's no question that winter weather presents safety challenges, but that’s no excuse for workplace injuries," says Stuart Maclean, WCB Vice President of Service Delivery. "There is no such thing as a workplace 'accident'. All injuries are avoidable with the proper training and commitment."

While many winter weather-related injuries are the result of slips and falls on ice, or motor vehicle accidents caused by poor driving conditions, many injuries are also musculoskeletal. Those injuries, from activities like moving heavy, wet snow, represent part of the 60 per cent of all time-loss injuries that affect the skeleton, muscles, and tissues. Musculoskeletal injuries remove thousands of Nova Scotians from the workforce every year, with untold impact on their professional and personal lives.

"Changing the way work is designed is the key to preventing musculoskeletal injuries," says MacLean. "As we prepare for the summer, when we know workplace injuries overall tend to peak, it's important to think about the way work is designed and carried out. Inside or out, whatever work we’re doing, it’s about thinking from a mindset of safe work design."

The cost of musculoskeletal injuries to the Nova Scotia industry is estimated between $100 million and $1 billion per year in direct and indirect costs, including lost productivity, replacing workers, overtime and training. That’s why the WCB is undertaking an aggressive campaign for safe work design. More information can be found in the comprehensive guide Sprain and Strains: Preventing musculoskeletal injury through workplace design, available from the WCB or online at www.wcb.ns.ca.

Workplace Injuries Related to Snow, Sleet, Freezing Rain and Ice:

Based on WCB registered claims

Time Period	Number of Injuries*
December 2005 – March 2006	522
December 2006 – March 2007	634
December 2007 – March 2008	1037

*Note: Injury totals include all claims where “snow”, “freezing rain”, “sleet” and “ice” were identified in the injury description.

Examples of winter weather-related injuries (2007/08):

• Pulling cart full of product, slipped on ice and snow 
• Getting off bus, slipped on ice and fell 
• Clearing snow at main entrance of school with push shovel, felt sharp pain in lower back 
• While shoveling on ice, slipped injuring groin 
• While shoveling snow in snowstorm, developed spasm in right leg 
• MVA – hit black ice then struck rock and trees 
• MVA - performing snow removal duties on slippery roads, went off road on turn, rolled truck
•  Pushing sofa off truck and slipped on ice falling between bin and concrete wall

About the 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.

For more information or to schedule interviews, please contact:

Michelle MacLean
Senior Communications Advisor
Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia
Tel 902.491.8102
michelle.maclean@wcb.gov.ns.ca