HALIFAX, NS – According to statistics released today in WCB Nova Scotia’s Report to the Community for the third quarter of 2018, Nova Scotians are getting injured at work less often, but when they are, they are taking longer to return.   

WCB tracks a number of statistics related to time off the job due to injury. The length of an average claim (or how long injured workers spend off the job) and the total number of days lost to workplace injury are both increasing, according to the report.

The index used to measure average claim duration increased to 124 days, from 117 days at the end of 2017. It was 115 days in the same quarter of last year. 

The report indicates there were 1,476 time-loss injuries from July 1 to September 30, 2018, down slightly from the same period in 2017 when there were 1,500.

The time-loss injury rate has declined to 1.72 time-loss injuries per 100 WCB-covered workers from 1.76 at the end of 2017.

As reported earlier this year, it has been a tragic year in workplaces. There were 12 acute fatalities, or deaths due to traumatic incidents on the job, as of the end of September. There were 17 chronic fatalities, resulting from occupational diseases or deaths while at work due to health-related conditions, such as heart attacks. Official year-end fatality statistics are released with overall 2018 operational results in April.

WCB Nova Scotia CEO Stuart MacLean says every injury at work has an impact on the overall well-being of our province and economy.

“Over the last decade, we have built true momentum when it comes to workplace safety in Nova Scotia, and we know that work never ends,” he says. “We also know we’re facing challenges like an aging workforce and more complex injuries than we’ve ever seen. There’s no shortage of work ahead, and we need all Nova Scotians to work with us to continue to reduce the impact of workplace injury.” 

The WCB continues to promote safety with workplace visits, through education and awareness campaigns and much more. They work along with many partners such as safety associations to make workplace safety a norm throughout the province.

WCB Nova Scotia is also undergoing a major business transformation, which includes the replacement of old claims and assessment systems with new industry-leading technology. The update will provide better tools, faster processes and more online services for employers, workers and service providers. 

“With more efficient systems and our other service upgrades, workers and employers will have more time to focus on prevention and return to work,” says MacLean. “We look forward to seeing the impact this new technology will have on outcomes for Nova Scotians affected by workplace injury.”     

Read the full report for our complete operational and financial results, along with an update on our ongoing modernization here.

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Number of time-loss claims in Q3 – 1,476

Time-loss claims per 100 covered workers – 1.72

Composite Duration Index – 124 days 

Time-loss days paid per 100 covered workers – 249

Acute workplace fatalities YTD – 12

Chronic fatalities YTD (due to occupational disease or other health conditions) – 17

Claims payments made YTD – $184,300,000

Five-year rate of return on investment – 8.0% 

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• STRUCK BY VEHICLE WHILE IN A CROSSWALK 

• MOPPING THE STEPS AND SLIPPED BACKWARDS 

• FLAGGING ON ROAD, VEHICLE STRUCK INSIDE OF RIGHT FOOT AND LEG

• HIT TOP OF HEAD ON WING OF AIRPLANE

• HAND SLIPPED AND GOT CAUGHT IN MACHINE IN SAWMILL

• FILLING UP BOTTLE OF BLEACH WHEN IT SLIPPED AND WENT INTO EYE

Nicole Halloran

Communications Advisor, WCB Nova Scotia 

P: 902-491-8102 or C: 902-223-8901

nicole.halloran@wcb.ns.ca