Pandemic Preparedness
There is little doubt about the potential for new diseases to emerge and have power consequences on Canadian's health, as we have discovered first-hand with COVID-19.
Major infectious diseases spread rapidly around the globe because of such factors as international travel. A pandemic exists when several outbreaks of the same infectious disease occur around the world at the same time. The impact of a pandemic on Manitoba ’s workplaces can be far reaching so it is always a good idea to be prepared. This pandemic business tool kit from the International Centre for Infectious Diseases will help you prepare your business and workers for pandemic influenza. SAFE Work Manitoba, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Government of Manitoba websites also have information you may find helpful for protecting yourself from pandemic disease.
Even with the best preparations in place, workers may be exposed to pandemic disease in the workplace. Workers who have contracted a pandemic disease due to the nature of their work may file claims with the WCB by:
- calling (204) 954-4321 or toll free 1-855-954-4321
- faxing a Worker Incident Report to (204) 954-4999 or toll free 1-877-872-3804.
If you are an employer, you may report a claim by:
- using the Online Incident Reporting system
- calling (204) 954-4321 or toll free 1-855-954-4321
- faxing an Employer Incident Report to (204) 954-4999 or toll free 1-877-872-3804.
Claims for workers who have contracted a pandemic disease will be adjudicated in the same way as claims for other infectious diseases thought to be contracted in the workplace. This policy on occupational disease provides details on how the WCB adjudicates these types of claims.
Like many employers in the province, the WCB has a pandemic plan in place to continue providing services to Manitoba's injured workers and employers. If you're hurt at work, we're here to help.