WORKPLACENL ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT 2015
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Together, we’ve built a sustainable workplace injury compensation system for both workers and employers Our Board of Directors is committed to a balanced approach to governing WorkplaceNL, so that we maintain a sustainable workplace injury compensation system for both workers and employers. Our system has had a remarkable turnaround, from near bankruptcy in 2000 to a fully-funded injury fund today. The injury fund is now $1.2 billion, the highest it has ever been, and 118.8 per cent funded, exceeding the 110 per cent target. In October 2015, we announced the removal of the $0.25 surcharge effective January 1, 2016. Employers have been paying this surcharge in their assessment rates to cover past unfunded liabilities. We are also proud to continue to offer the highest maximum wage-loss benefits for injured workers in Atlantic Canada. This benefits both employers and injured workers in our province.
Employers’ Council, who worked with us and agreed on a funding policy in 2009. This provides a structured system to address issues impacting the long-term financial health of the system. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I’d like to acknowledge the contributions of Ralph Tucker during his 10 years serving as Chairperson of WorkplaceNL. During that time, WorkplaceNL made great strides in its financial position, and in helping the province develop a strong safety culture. I’d also like to thank the Board of Directors, management and staff of WorkplaceNL for their ongoing commitment to the workers and employers in our province. As well, I offer a big thank-you to our partners and CEO Safety Charter members for helping to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses.
Elizabeth Forward Director on behalf of the Board of Directors WorkplaceNL
I’d like to thank our stakeholders, the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour and the Newfoundland and Labrador
Together, we are making workplaces in Newfoundland and Labrador the safest they have ever been Together, we rose to the challenge and reduced the provincial losttime incidence rate to the lowest it has ever been, 1.5 per 100 workers. We issued that challenge last year when the rate stalled for the third consecutive year. WorkplaceNL entered 2015 with a renewed client service focus, and delivered innovative programs that empower both employers and workers to create safe workplaces. We shortened our name to WorkplaceNL to help our clients better remember us. We continued to provide high quality service, with 92 per cent of injured workers agreeing that our overall quality of service improved or stayed the same, and 84 per cent of employers satisfied with our service. We focused on building stronger Occupational Health and Safety Committees in the province with a revised training standard, effective July 1, 2015. Our new Certification Training Registry brings workers’ training certificates online, and provides quick access to required safety training courses from WorkplaceNL-approved training providers across the province.
We worked with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to develop curriculum and Canada’s first OHS textbook for the new OHS 3203 high school course, launched in September 2015. Over 1,200 students across the province will soon enter the workforce with greater safety awareness. We look forward to continuing to innovate, and remain focused on the three new E’s of safety: empathy, empowerment and engagement. We continue to work with our partners on programs that help everyone to actively make a difference. On behalf of WorkplaceNL, I’d like to thank workers, employers, stakeholders and safety associations for rising to the challenge to reduce workplace injuries. I also owe gratitude to our staff who remain committed to improving services for our clients. Our ongoing challenge is to bring even more workers home safe and healthy. Together, we must work towards the goal of eliminating workplace injuries and illnesses, for the benefit of workers, their families, employers and communities.
Leslie Galway CEO, WorkplaceNL
