(WINNIPEG) – The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba's (WCB) 2018 Annual Report was tabled in the Manitoba Legislature on May 30th. The report highlights continued gains in reducing workplace injuries, with a time loss injury rate of 2.6* per 100 full time workers, a 26 per cent decrease from 10 years ago. The WCB also released its 2019-2023 Five Year Plan.
SAFE Work Manitoba, a division of the WCB, continued to support Manitoba industries in creating and nurturing safe and healthy workplaces with the ongoing support and expansion of industry-based safety programs. These services include guiding employers through the process of becoming SAFE Work Certified – a provincial standard developed by SAFE Work Manitoba for safety and health performance in the workplace. There were tremendous strides made in lowering injuries and as a result the WCB experienced an eight per cent decrease in time loss claims from the previous year.
Today, more and more employers are recognizing the benefits of becoming SAFE Work Certified. "We introduced a Prevention Rebate program that rewards employers for meeting this safety standard," said Winston Maharaj, President and CEO. "In 2018, we had 882 employers become eligible for a total of $5.6 million in Prevention Rebates."
"The WCB entered 2018 in a healthy financial position, with strong reserves and a diversified investment portfolio but a volatile fourth quarter resulted in losses to our investments," said Maharaj. "While we ended the year with an operating loss of $53 million, our prudent financial stewardship over the years ensured we continue to run a surplus in our funding reserve of 148.2 per cent, which is well above our 130 per cent target." The WCB has developed a framework to return a portion of the surplus to employers in 2019.
*Estimated, to be confirmed mid-2019.
About the WCB of Manitoba
The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba is a mutual workplace injury and disability insurance statutory corporation funded by employer premiums. We are here to insure and support safe and healthy work and workplaces. We put workers and employers at the centre of all we do. We provide them with valued services for injury prevention, compensation and return to health and work while maintaining system integrity.
For Media Enquiries:
Darlene Muise, Manager Communications
204-954-4864 • 1-855-954-4321, ext. 4864