Injury rate drops to all-time low of 1.86; 35 per cent reduction in serious injury rate since 2005

April 17, 2014 – Halifax, Nova Scotia – Nova Scotia – Nova Scotians made significant progress in 2013 toward reducing the impact of workplace injury in our province.

In its 2013 Annual Report released today, the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB) reports that the province’s workplace injury rate dropped to 1.86, the lowest since WCB first began tracking this measure. The reduction in workplace injuries is a result of increased collaboration among safety partners in Nova Scotia, including government, safety associations, industry groups, employers and workers.

The number of days lost from work due to workplace injury also declined by about 29,000 over 2012, which is about the same as 79 people working full time for a year.

One of the most notable accomplishments of the year was the introduction of the Workplace Safety Strategy for Nova Scotians (2013-2017). Developed by WCB, the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education and based on extensive stakeholder consultation, the Strategy establishes strong goals for workplace health and safety and a long-term vision for making Nova Scotia the safest place to work in Canada.

There was also financial progress for the WCB in 2013. It is reporting a total comprehensive income that will reduce the unfunded liability by $52 million, improving the funding position from 66 per cent to 71 per cent funded.

While these improvements are encouraging, 2013 was a year marked by tragedy. There were 34 workplace fatalities – 17 classified as chronic, and 17 classified as acute.

Of the 17 acute fatalities, eight occurred in the fishing industry. In 2013, the WCB and the Department of Labour and Advanced Education laid the groundwork for the development of an industry-led, long-term Fishing Safety Action Plan. Through the Safe at Sea Alliance, fishermen, their families and communities will come together to discuss safety issues and develop a plan to improve the overall safety culture of fishing in Nova Scotia.

QUICK FACTS

• The injury rate in Nova Scotia for 2013 is 1.86 – the lowest since WCB began tracking this measure. It marks a 35 per cent reduction in this rate since 2005.
• The total number of injury claims registered decreased by 5.2 per cent from 26,422 in 2012 to 25,050 in 2013.
• Time-loss workplace injuries, in total, declined by 4.8 per cent to 6,034.
• There were 29,000 fewer working days lost to workplace injury in 2013 than were lost the year before. That equates to 79 people working full time for a year.
• The number of workers who go on to receive long-term benefits continued to decline in 2013, indicating that investments in return-to-work programs are making a difference.
• The nine largest industries in the province all saw drops in their injury rates, including Construction where the industry rate fell from 2.54 in 2012 to 2.25 in 2013.

For the second consecutive year, the WCB is reporting a positive financial result that will reduce the unfunded liability by $52 million, improving the funding position from 66 per cent to 71 per cent funded.

There were 34 fatalities in 2013 - 17 deaths that were classified as “chronic” and 17 deaths were classified as “acute.”

Of the 17 acute fatalities, eight occurred in the fishing industry. In Nova Scotia, a fisherman is 46 times more likely to suffer an acute fatality than a worker in any other industry.

QUOTES

“We are moving in the right direction, but every working Nova Scotian needs to do more. It starts with a commitment to only do something if it can be done safely. For workers, this means refusing unsafe work or speaking up when they see a hazard. For employers, it means ensuring a safe workplace and creating an environment where workers feel empowered to voice their concerns.” – Stuart MacLean, CEO, Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia

“Everyone who gets up and goes to work in the morning should come home safely. When all Nova Scotians believe every workplace injury or illness can be prevented – and when prevention is entrenched in every workplace – Nova Scotians will be safer at work. It will take us all working together to achieve the Workplace Safety Strategy’s vision of making Nova Scotia the safest place to work in Canada. – Honourable Kelly Regan, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education

DEFINITIONS

1. The injury rate is the number of people per 100 covered workers who are injured on the job seriously enough to lose three or more days of work.

2. Acute fatalities are caused by traumatic injuries at the workplace. Chronic fatalities are caused by occupational diseases due to workplace exposures in the past, or health conditions, primarily cardiac events, which may or may not have been directly related to work.

RELATED LINKS

Workplace Safety Strategy for Nova Scotians 2013-2017

Safe at Sea Alliance

CONTACTS

Julie Trites
Communications Advisor
902-491-8110
902-717-1697 (cell)
Julie.trites@wcb.gov.ns.ca