Average rate holds steady for eighth consecutive year
September 1, 2011 – Halifax, NS – Workers’ compensation assessment rates remain relatively stable for 2012, the WCB of Nova Scotia announced this week.
For the eighth consecutive year, the average rate is holding steady at $2.65 per $100 of assessable payroll.
Of the 18,000 employers covered by the WCB, 37 per cent will see their rate go down or stay the same and 63 per cent will see an increase.
“There is still plenty of room for improvement, but we cannot lose sight of the progress we are making,” said Stuart MacLean, Acting CEO of the WCB. “Serious workplace injuries in Nova Scotia are at their lowest level in 15 years and rates are holding steady. By working closely with employers, workers and our safety partners, we will continue to make strides towards making Nova Scotia a safer place to work.”
Rates are significantly decreasing in a number of industries including fish processing, construction infrastructure, electrical work, hospitals and nursing homes.
Unfortunately rates are going up in some industries that tend to have a large number of employers, and therefore increase the percentage of employers seeing a rate increase.
The fishing industry, for example, includes more than 1,000 employers. Because the overall industry rate is increasing, most fishing employers will see an increase in their individual rate. In contrast, there are only nine employers in the hospital category, which is seeing a rate decrease
The WCB is also exploring several enhancements to the rate setting model.
“In our effort to continue encouraging the behaviour change needed to support injury prevention and return to work we are looking at changes to make rates more responsive and to better incent safe behaviours in workplaces,” said MacLean. “Most of the changes will take effect in 2013, while others will be phased in over time.”
Another way the WCB encourages employers to make improvements to their safety and return-to-work performance is by issuing surcharges to employers whose claims costs are significantly and consistently higher than their industry peers. In 2012, 96 employers will receive a surcharge, up from 92 in 2011.
To be surcharged, an employer’s claims costs must be at least three times their industry average for at least four consecutive years. Surcharges are cumulative and can add an additional 20 per cent to a firm’s base rate each year.
“In our effort to continue encouraging the behaviour change needed to support injury prevention and return to work we are exploring several enhancements to the rate setting model,” said MacLean. “We’re looking at changes to make rates more responsive and to better incent safe behaviours in workplaces. Most of the changes will take effect in 2013, while others will be phased in over time.
More detail on how WCB rates are set, along with the list of employers who will be surcharged in 2012 is available at www.wcb.ns.ca.
Background Materials:
2012 Rate Announcement at a Glance
Surcharged Employers in 2012
2012 Assessment Rates
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.
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For more information, please contact:
Julie Trites
Communications Advisor
902.491-8110
Julie.trites@wcb.ns.ca