CANADA Saskatchewan Workers Comp Board to Reduce 2010 Average Premium

The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) proposes in 2010 to reduce its average premium rate by 1.8% to $1.63. It is the fifth premium decrease since 2004.

The proposal will be presented to employer and industry organizations in a series of consultations to be held this week in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Feedback from the meetings will be considered by WCB Board Members when final rates are determined in November. Final rates will be announced in December, and become effective Jan. 1, 2010. The proposed 2010 rate continues a trend in rate reductions. Since 2004, the WCB’s average premium rate has dropped by 20.5%.

“Several factors impacted our decision,” says WCB Chair David Eberle. “Most importantly, the provincial injury rate continues to drop. And that’s due to the safety and prevention work that employers and workers have done in workplaces across our province. Our vision of Mission: Zero has become the way many Saskatchewan workplaces approach their daily work.”

Eberle says higher payrolls driven by the steady provincial economy did affect the 2010 rate proposal, but the key factors were injury numbers and injury claim durations.

According to Eberle, the Saskatchewan WCB is in a fortunate position compared to nationwide peers. “Our current economic climate positively impacts the average premium rate. But if we don’t get a handle on bringing down the injury rate and keeping it down, the progress we’ve made since 2004 will be lost to a greater number of claims.”

Peter Federko, chief executive officer of the WCB, added that the rate proposal means that 33,150 employers will pay lower WCB premium rates in 2010. Another 2,215 employers will pay the same rates as they did this year, while fewer than 4,700 employers will pay higher rates, based on their work injury record. Federko says workplace safety remains the surest way for employers to manage their WCB premiums. (workersxzcompxzkit)

“Building a workplace safety culture that identifies and reduces hazards means there are fewer injury claims. That impacts an employer’s costs right away and means that workers go home safe everyday,” Federko noted.

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: [email protected] or 860-553-6604.

We are accepting short articles* (300-800 words) on WC cost containment. Contact us at: [email protected]. *Non-compensable.

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