Encouraging signs of progress reported in WCB’s Annual Report
April 9, 2009 – Halifax, NS – While workplace injury continues to take an incredible human and financial toll in Nova Scotia, 2008 saw significant signs of progress towards creating a safety culture throughout the province.
In 2008 the number of serious injuries remained steady at about 8,000 and the injury rate fell to 2.48 time-loss injuries per 100 covered workers. For the first time in many years there was a significant reduction in the length of time injured workers were off the job due to their injuries. There were 84,000 fewer time loss days paid in 2008, the equivalent of 230 people back in the workforce fulltime. Since 2005, 1,000 fewer people have lost time from work due to injury and those who did returned to the workplace safely and more quickly.
"Each and every Nova Scotian should celebrate the reduction in injuries and time off work due to injury achieved in 2008," said Nancy MacCready-Williams, CEO of the Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia. "But at the same time, we all share the responsibility of making more positive change."
The WCB played a part in achieving these positive results. Its prevention initiatives, including advertising campaigns, continued to raise awareness about the human cost of workplace injuries. The WCB also encouraged employer cooperation and engagement in developing effective return-to-work programs.
As part of the Priority Employer Program, the WCB offers coaching services to workplaces in need of improvement in their safety and return-to-work performance. This hands-on approach has worked. The number of serious injuries in Priority Employer workplaces was down more than in other workplaces, and following an injury, employees in Priority Employer workplaces went back to work more quickly compared to other workplaces.
The WCB also invested significantly in building its future capacity through the creation of a new service delivery model. When fully implemented, the model will integrate the WCB's three main business divisions and build stronger relationships with workplaces across the province.
Although this progress is encouraging, the human suffering associated with workplace injury is unacceptable. More than 30,000 workers were injured on the job last year – about 10 per cent of the workforce covered by the WCB. And tragically, 29 people died on the job.
"No other statistic presents such a compelling case for continuing to focus on injury prevention in Nova Scotia," said MacCready-Williams. “I think the families of the 29 people who died on the job would tell us we are not done."
Like many organizations, 2008 was a challenging year for the WCB given the global economic downturn. The organization reported a total comprehensive loss of $249 million.
"Like pension and other large funds, we're optimistic the investment markets will rebound as they have in the past and we'll be able to recover these losses over time," said MacCready-Williams. "Our financial results underscore our need to maintain a focus on the things that we can influence most – injury prevention and return to work."
WCB 2008 YEAR AT-A-GLANCE
(Dollar amounts in millions)
|
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
|
Number of Covered Employers (assessed and self insured)
|
18,000
|
18,600
|
17,800
|
|
Percentage of Labour Force Covered (assessed and self insured)
|
71
|
72
|
72
|
|
Number of Claims Registered
|
31,753
|
32,038
|
31,810
|
|
Number of Compensable Time-Loss Claims Registered
|
8,050
|
8,230
|
8,274
|
|
Duration Index
(excluding chronic pain claims in transition services, in days)
|
95
|
102
|
105
|
|
Duration Index (all claims, in days)
|
95
|
103
|
107
|
|
Targeted Average Assessment Rate
(per $100 of assessable payroll, in real dollars)
|
$2.65
|
$2.65
|
$2.65
|
|
Actual Average Assessment Rate
(in real dollars)
|
$2.68
|
$2.64
|
$2.63
|
|
Total Assessable Payroll (billions)
|
$8.6
|
$8.2
|
$7.8
|
|
Total Assessment Revenue
|
$273.1
|
$254.4
|
$242.7
|
|
Total Investment (Loss) Income
|
$(174.8)
|
$23.2
|
$135.3
|
|
Total Administration Costs
|
$43.2
|
$44.1
|
$43.0
|
|
Legislated Obligations
|
$11.4
|
$9.2
|
$8.8
|
|
Total Claims Costs Incurred
|
$187.1
|
$175.6
|
$162.9
|
|
Excess of Expenses over Revenues
|
$(251.2)
|
$(11.8)
|
$(10.2)
|
|
Total Comprehensive Loss
|
$(248.6)
|
$(103.5)
|
$75.6
|
|
Total Assets (billions)
|
$0.9
|
$1.1
|
$1.1
|
|
Total Liabilities (billions)
|
$1.5
|
$1.5
|
$1.4
|
|
Percentage Funded Ratio
|
59.9%
|
75.3%
|
81.2%
|
|
Timeliness of First Payment to Injured Workers (percentage of payments made within 15 days of injury – 12 month average)
|
71.8%
|
78.0%
|
78.3%
|
|
Injury Rate: Time-Loss Claims per 100 Covered Workers
|
2.48
|
2.57
|
2.61
|
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.
Review the 2008 Annual Report.
For more information contact:
Mary Kingston
Director, Communications & Marketing
902.491.8101 (w)
902.478.3594 (c)
mary.kingston@wcb.gov.ns.ca