$1 Million Saved by Safety Certified Companies in the Construction Sector

The Workers Compensation Board presented a mock cheque symbolizing the over $1 million dollars saved by safety certified construction companies in a ceremony today at the Manitoba Construction Conference.

The cheque presented to the construction industry represents the amount the WCB estimates will be saved by certified firms in 2007 and 2008 as a result of the WCB’s Incentive Plan in Construction. This three-year pilot program, started in 2007, includes a five percent reduction in WCB assessment rates for construction firms that earn safety association accreditation. Accreditation is offered by the Manitoba Heavy Construction Safety Program and the Construction Safety Association of Manitoba.

The initiative is self-funded by all construction employers in Manitoba. There will be no additional cost to employers in other industries.

“The WCB’s Incentive Plan rewards construction firms who do their absolute best to keep workers safe,” said Manitoba Heavy Construction Association President Chris Lorenc. “Accreditation is a standard we should all aim for. A program like the WCB’s that encourages participation is welcome and worthwhile.”

To become accredited, firms must undergo rigourous safety training, develop a company safety manual, develop and implement an approved health and safety program and pass an independent safety audit.

“We all need to remain diligent to reduce injuries in the construction sector,” said Winnipeg Construction Association Executive Vice President Ron Hambley. “Training and education, whether offered through this annual construction conference or accreditation programs, is the key to keeping workers safe.”

In 2007, the construction industry saw about 2,100 time loss injuries in the workplace. The WCB and its partners used the Hammering it Home and SAFE Roads campaigns, along with the SAFE on Site program which takes the safety message directly on to construction sites, to reduce these injuries. The Incentive Plan in Construction is another essential part of the WCB’s strategy for reducing the injury rate in construction.

“This injury prevention initiative makes safety an important part of being competitive in a thriving construction industry,” said WCB Chairperson Tom Farrell.“I’m not at all surprised to see how well construction firms have supported the program. It’s more proof that shows how hard all of us – workers, employers and the WCB – are working to reduce workplace injuries.”

The Manitoba WCB is a mutual injury and disability insurance agency governed by a Board of Directors representative of employers, workers and the public interest and funded by employer premiums. The WCB insures approximately 70% of the workers in Manitoba, employed by over 26,000 registered employers.

Contact:

Warren Preece, Director of Communications
WCB Manitoba
(204) 954-4113