CANADA Newfoundland and Labrador Workplace Health and Safety Compensation Commission Reports Rates for 2010

WHSCC to Maintain Average Base Assessment Rate for Employers

The Workplace Health,  Safety and Compensation Commission (WHSCC) of New Foundland and Labrador reports it is maintaining the average base assessment rate of $2.75 for employers in 2010, and increasing the maximum compensable and assessable earnings limit from $50,379 to $51,235. 

The assessment rate  is the rate paid by employers to cover anticipated claims costs and the cost of administering the workers’ compensation system. It is based on the industry group in which employers are classified and the cost experience of the group.

While the average  assessment rate remains unchanged, an estimated 58% of employers will experience a rate decrease, while 42% will see an increase, based on industry group performance. For 2010, the maximum increase or decrease will not exceed 20%.
 
The increase  in maximum compensable and assessable earnings is based on the consumer price index (CPI) and represents a 1.7% increase for 2010. Any injured worker whose pre-injury earnings are at or above the new maximum compensable limit will be compensated based on the new limit effective Jan. 1, 2010.   (workersxzcompxzkit)

Serving over 16,000  employers and approximately 12,000 injured workers, the WHSCC is an employer-funded, no fault insurance system that promotes safe and healthy workplaces, provides return-to-work programs and fair compensation to injured workers and their dependants. 

MAINE Employers to See Average of 7% Drop in WC RatesThe National Council of Compensation Insurers in Maine is recommending an average 7% decline in workers’ compensation rates in 2010 for employers according to a proposal filed with the state Bureau of Insurance. The report was filed because Maine experienced fewer work comp claims.

A spokesperson for (NCCI) said if the proposal receives backing from the Bureau of Insurance the average rate will decrease, with some employers seeing larger decreases and others seeing increases. If the proposal is approved, the rate change will take effect Jan. 1, 2010.

Author Robert Elliott -

executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.

Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker about workers’ comp issues.

Posted in Insurance Issues, Rates, Premiums |

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Finding and Developing Tools to Build Your Workers Compensation Program

Why You Need to Know the WC Cost Containment PROCESS

Yes, you’ll need to know the subject matter of workers’ compensation cost containment, but you’ll also need to know the PROCESS. When you want to control workers comp costs, you will need to learn how to move through the implementation process of a cost containment program. The hardest part of the process is getting started, and keeping your company moving, so you must have an arsenal of tools to move them forward on a daily basis. You must MANAGE the process of change within your company.

Many companies  ask why workers’ compensation is a problem and why costs are so high. Simply put, it is because there are too many claims lasting too long. For years, employers have assumed there is nothing they can do to prevent rising costs.

Many employers  believe they have no choice but to continue paying higher premiums and long-term medical expenses. They assume once an employee is out of work on workers’ compensation there is nothing they can do to bring the employee back to work.

Employers can  however, implement in-house programs, policies, and procedures designed to bring employees in line and work together to reestablish control and lower costs.

Workers’ compensation  management or injury management (IM) includes both proactive management – before accidents occur – and reactive management:  managing a claim from the minute it, happens until the employee is brought back to full-time productive duty.

It may be helpful to know the WorkersCompKit® includes a Facilitator’s Guide. This program-planning guide is for the person leading implementation. (workersxzcompxzkit)

Some of the forms you will need for program management are:
1. A timetable
2. A facilitator’s agenda
3. An injury coordinator job description
4. A participant’s agenda
5. A sample letter to divisions with assessment results
6. A sample CEO Roll-Out Letter
7. A sample Kick-Off Letter from Injury Coordinator

Don’t hesitate to ask your peers for these tools. Most risk managers are willing to help their peers. If another risk manager has developed a program, they may be willing to share what they have developed. Also, your broker may have some of the tools. Note: make sure they are not providing you with tools that are copyrighted to another company.

Author Robert Elliott,executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.

Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your property/casualty insurance broker or agent about workers’ comp issues.

Posted in Assessment & Diagnostics, Implementation and Rolling Out Your Program |

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CANADA Calgary Local Employment Programs for Disabled Workers

Calgary Residents with Disabilities Receive Help from Local Employment Program

People with disabilities will get help preparing for jobs as a result of the Government of Canada’s support for a local employment program. Deepak Obhrai, member of Parliament for Calgary East, made the announcement recently on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

 ”In today’s environment, it is more important than ever that all Canadians have the skills they need to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Obhrai. “By supporting this project, our government is helping Canadians with disabilities maximize their potential and independence.”

Opportunity Works Calgary Inc.  will receive $240,431 under the Self-Employment component of the Opportunities Fund for its Business Advising for Mental Healthproject. This project will help 90 persons with mental health disabilities to become self‑employed.

“Opportunity Works helps people help themselves,” said Glen Hickerson, chair of Opportunity Works Calgary Inc.’s Board of Directors. “By encouraging self‑employment and independence, the impact on the community of these funding dollars is multiplied several times over. Programs like these give people with mental health challenges hope.”

The federal government  is working with stakeholders to make sure that Canadians get the training, skills and opportunities they need to participate in the workforce and contribute to the quality of life in their communities.

The Opportunities Fund  helps support an array of activities, such as increasing employability skills, providing work experience and preparing individuals for self‑employment. The Government of Canada said it is committed to breaking down barriers that prevent Canadians from reaching their full potential with a wide range of effective policies, programs and services tailored to people with disabilities. (workersxzcompxzkit)

The Fund is part  of the Government of Canada’s strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world. The Government underscored it’s commitment to this strategy when it introduced Canada’s Economic Action Plan. A key component of the Plan is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development.

Author Robert Elliott,executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.

Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker or agent about workers’ comp issues.

Posted in ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), Canada Workers Comp |

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Former Police Officer Charged with Mail Fraud for Filing NY Workers Comp and Disability Claims

Posted in Fraud and Abuse |

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