Highlights & Accomplishments

Focusing on the needs of both injured workers and employers

WorkplaceNL continues to focus on the needs of both injured workers and employers, launching innovative programs to engage people at all levels to create safer workplaces.

Shorter, easier to remember name

The organization launched the new name WorkplaceNL in September 2015. Shorter and easier to remember, the name WorkplaceNL encompasses all parties involved in the employer-funded system that promotes safe and healthy workplaces, provides return to work programs and compensates injured workers.

Full implementation is expected to take at least 12 months, using a phased-in, cost-conscious approach. WorkplaceNL is focusing first on items that our clients use the most, and aims to exhaust our current inventories of materials before printing new versions.

Workers’ training certificates are going online

Workers’ safety certificates are going online

In October 2015, WorkplaceNL launched the first-of-its kind, online, multi-stakeholder Certification Training Registry (CTR) in Newfoundland and Labrador. Now, workers, employers and OHS Officers can access upto-date training records through a smartphone or any web-enabled device to ensure that a workplace is compliant with OHS requirements.

Within three years, there will be no need for paper certificates. As the estimated 170,000 existing paper certificates expire, workers successfully completing training will receive an electronic training record.

Anyone can search the CTR’s online marketplace for a listing of WorkplaceNL-approved trainers for mandatory safety training for the following certification training standards: OHS Committee, confined space entry, fall protection, traffic control person, power line hazards, mine rescue and diving. First aid will be available in the CTR in 2016.

An engaged OHS Committee helps keep you safe at work.

Building strong OHS Committees

Newfoundland and Labrador has over 4,500 registered OHS Committees. An OHS Committee is positioned in the workplace and is in the best position to influence OHS performance. Trained committee members knowledgeable of OHS responsibilities and obligations, enhance safe and healthy workplaces. Based on feedback from industry, training providers and safety associations, WorkplaceNL revised the Certification Training Standard for OHS Committee and Worker Health and Safety Representative/ Designates (WHSR/Ds), effective July 1, 2015. The new training program is shorter, condensed into one program for both OHS Committees and WHSR/Ds, and has a mandatory three-year renewal. Recertification will be phased in by July 2018. The curriculum now reflects new legislation, examines case studies and includes a hands-on, mock committee meeting to give participants practical examples and experience to bring to their workplaces. The training is now available province-wide from over 95 training providers. OHS Committee members, WHSR/Ds, workers and employers can go to the training marketplace to book certification training: ctr.bluedrop.io

Secure financial position

WorkplaceNL’s financial position remains strong. The injury fund (investments), which provides security for injured workers’ benefits within employers’ reasonable ability to pay, has increased from $1.1 billion in 2014 to $1.2 billion in 2015, its highest ever. WorkplaceNL’s rate of return was 6.8 per cent (versus 11.6 per cent in 2014) and above the target of 6.1 per cent. The funded position (percentage of assets available to fund total liabilities) has also increased from 112 per cent for 2014 to 118.8 per cent in 2015. Lower assessment rates Funded Ratio2015 In October 2015, WorkplaceNL announced 118.8% a reduction in the average assessment rate charged to employers to $2.20, effective January 1, 2016. This is due to the removal of the $0.25 surcharge that employers paid to cover past unfunded liabilities in the workers’ compensation system. WorkplaceNL follows a prudent stakeholder-agreed funding policy which sets a funded target of 110 per cent. At the end of 2014, the funded position of 112 per cent exceeded that target for the first time, therefore the surcharge could be removed. Effective January 1, 2016, the maximum compensable and assessable earnings was increased from $61,615 to $62,540, an increase of 1.5 per cent based on the Consumer Price Index.

2015

Injury Fund $1.2B

2015

Funded Ratio 118.8%

2015 Injury Fund $1.2B