Each Province in Canada has an Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Act Purpose: To set safety standards to protect health & safety of workers. Includes rights & duties of employers, workers, & others in the workplace. Do you think each province’s OH&S Act would be the same? Why/Why not?

Each Act allows a Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) to be set up. WCB protects employers & workers when workplace injuries happen. WCB provides insurance for workers hurt while on the job.

Premiums: WCB charges employers premiums ($$$) based on the total wages of their workers for the year & the risk of injury in their industry. For example, forestry companies usually pay higher WCB premiums than engineering firms because forestry workers have a higher risk of accidents than do engineers. “Premiums” = COST for insurance coverage

What should you do if you are injured at work? 1.Tell your Employer. (Employer has 72 hours to send an Injury Report Form to WCB) 2.Tell your doctor you were injured at work. (Doctor has 48 hours to file a report with WCB) 3.Tell the WCB (You must complete and send a Worker’s Report of Injury form to the WCB as soon as possible)

Compulsory Coverage: All employers in compulsory industries must open a WCB account within 15 days of employing their 1st workers. If they do not pay their WCB premiums, employees are STILL covered! All employers in compulsory industries must open a WCB account within 15 days of employing their 1st workers. If they do not pay their WCB premiums, employees are STILL covered! Voluntary Coverage : Employers in industries not covered by the WCB Act can apply to have workers’ compensation insurance protect their workers. Personal Coverage : Business owners are not covered automatically by the WCB for work-related injuries. They CAN BUY workers’ compensation insurance and get the same insurance benefits workers get. Self-Employed: People who work for themselves and hire NO OTHER WORKERS. Voluntary Coverage : Employers in industries not covered by the WCB Act can apply to have workers’ compensation insurance protect their workers. Personal Coverage : Business owners are not covered automatically by the WCB for work-related injuries. They CAN BUY workers’ compensation insurance and get the same insurance benefits workers get. Self-Employed: People who work for themselves and hire NO OTHER WORKERS.

Who MUST open an account with WCB (within 15 days!) i.e. “compulsory coverage” Primary IndustriesForestry, mining,…. Processing & Packaging:Factories, Bakeries, …. ManufacturingMetal Work, sawmills, …. Construction TradesOil field maintenance, ….. Transportation, Communication & Utilities Movie Theatres, Warehousing, ….. Wholesale & RetailGrocery/clothing/book stores Car dealers Retail Trade ServicesHardware stores, Service Stations, Car Repair shops Government Departments & Agencies Business, personal & professional Services Vet clinics, hair salons, restaurants, hotels, staffing agencies

Workers’ Compensation Board: Offers no-fault insurance to employers WCB insurance covers costs, if necessary, of medical treatments, lost wages, job re-training, & pension When insured by WCB, workers & employers cannot sue each other

No-fault Insurance A worker injured while at work & employed in an industry protected by the Act can get benefits. It DOES NOT MATTER WHO CAUSED THE INCIDENT. The injured worker & employer cannot sue each other

Businesses that DO NOT require Workers’ Compensation coverage: Animal groomersBanks MuseumsAccounting Services Baby sittersDomestic Help Golf CoursesTelemarketers Modeling AgenciesFarmers Real Estate AgenciesTravel Agencies Medical Offices

Who is NOT Covered / Exempt by the OH&S Act?  Domestic workers (nannies, housekeepers)  Federal Government workers (e.g. Canada Post, Lacombe Research Station, can you think of others?)  Workers in industries regulated by the federal government (banks, national transportation companies, TV & radio broadcasters)  Farmers & other agricultural workers