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Stay back. Stay safe.
saskatchewan.ca/snowzone
MHI-0076D_Print-Ad_3.5x4.75in_010217.indd 1 2017-01-10 2:56 PM
230 - 10th Ave. E., Regina, SK S4N 6G6
p: 306-569-3000 f: 306-565-2400
e: info@wappel.ca
• General Contractor
• Concrete Supply
• Earthmoving
• Sewer & Water
• Curb & Sidewalk
• Equipment Rentals
INJURY SOLUTIONS
Now, why would that concern business owners? It appears the
intent of this change in premium calculations is two-fold. First, the
employers who do not have any injuries at all will be rewarded by
paying a smaller share of the overall costs, while the employers
who do have over the industry standard of lost time injuries will
end up paying more of the overall cost that will, in the view of the
Saskatchewan WCB be a cost system that will better distribute the
financial burden on the firms that are using it more.
Why would you care? Well, if your firm is in any kind of a sur-charge,
it seems that when the new changes come to fruition, you
may well be paying more for the same safety record. If you are
presently in a surcharge position of, let’s say, 45 per cent, the new
changes may well move that up to a much higher number, mean-ing
you will be paying substantially more, not to mention if you are
in that surcharge territory (never a good place to be), you may be
restricted by some contract management companies from bidding
on certain jobs or being removed from a work site that you are cur-rently
on. Again, never a position to be in.
Okay, now that this will become an issue for some employers,
what can they do? Again, we believe employers can attack their
premiums and surcharge situation in three ways. The first is by
setting up a quality safety program and Return to Work program
that is structured, documented and followed evenly no matter
who may be involved. That was easy, right? Well, your safety asso-ciation
can assist you with some aspects of your day-to-day safety
program. The next step is to develop a sound Return to Work pro-gram
(as all employers must have by virtue of the WCB Act). Again,
your safety association should be able to assist you to a point on
how to develop a comprehensive program or they may refer you to
companies that can set up both a safety program and a Return to
Work program tailored to your individual companies needs and
objectives.
The third and final step that you can take as a firm, prior to the
upcoming changes in premium calculations, is to clean up your
old injury records. You can review all your claims – current and
past – to ensure you are not paying too much on each claim. If you
have any claim that is over the American Medical Association ex-pected
timeline for recovery, you should be concerned. You can
review your individual claims and look for reasons for each that
can be appealed, limiting your financial liability and reducing
the overall costs that are being assessed to your company. Again,
there are experienced firms that specialize in reviewing, assess-ing
claims for appealable issues and then submitting your appeal
in a professional manner that has proven to yield very good suc-cess.
Successful appeals can lead to reduced WCB claims costs and
reduce your surcharge, saving you on premium costs, and either
winning cost relief in the way of future WCB premium credits or
actual cash back.
Things are changing and staying informed and prepared will re-duce
your current and future risks.
40 Think BIG | Quarter 1 2017 | saskheavy.ca
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