Introduction of a new strategy looks to reduce fatalities and serious injuries in the workplace Released on December 2, 2019 Today a new approach to preventing fatalities and serious workplace injuries that looks at high-risk industries and the tasks within those industries was introduced. The three-year Fatalities and Serious Injuries Strategy is the product of WorkSafe Saskatchewan, which is a partnership between the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety. “Safety needs to be a priority in every workplace and across all industries,” Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don Morgan said.  “Workplace injuries and fatalities are absolutely unacceptable and leave a devastating impact on loved ones.  I’m pleased that we have been able to work together with a number of stakeholders to develop a strategy with concrete actions that will help to reduce the number of workplace fatalities and injuries.” The strategy [...]

WorkSafe Sask. connects employers with psychological health expertise Saskatoon, SK – Over the last three years, the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) has seen a 75 per cent increase in mental health claims accepted. In response, WorkSafe Saskatchewan is hosting a one-day learning event for employers, human resource professionals and mental health experts in Saskatoon to bring awareness to psychological health and safety in the workplace. With over 325 attendees registered, today’s event features mental health experts from both industry and academia. “While psychological claims only equate to a small percentage of all workplace injury claims accepted, the increase in the rate of acceptance is concerning,” said Kevin Mooney, Director of Prevention at the WCB. “The response to our learning event shows the need with employers to offer resources of this nature.” During the morning session, Dr. Rakesh Jetly, Head of the Centre of Excellence in Mental Health, will deliver [...]

WorkSafe Sask., University of Fredericton partner to support workplace psychological health Regina, SK – The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) and the University of Fredericton (UFred) have signed a partnership agreement to increase access to training and resources for Saskatchewan employers to create psychologically healthy workplaces. Over the last three years, the WCB has seen a 75 per cent increase in the number of psychological claims accepted. While psychological claims only equate to a small percentage of all workplace injury claims accepted, the increase in the rate of acceptance is concerning. “At WorkSafe Saskatchewan, we saw a need to provide employers with additional resources to help them create a psychologically healthy work environment for employees,” said Kevin Mooney, Director of Prevention at the WCB. “The expertise of the University of Fredericton faculty and the training courses made available will be invaluable to Saskatchewan employers.” Through its partnership with UFred, Saskatchewan [...]

WCB and WorkSafe Saskatchewan building injury prevention research capacity Regina, SK – As part of ongoing efforts to reduce injuries and fatalities in the province, the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) is undertaking steps to strengthen ties between researchers and Saskatchewan’s primary injury prevention partners – WorkSafe Saskatchewan, the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety (LRWS), research institutions and industry safety associations. As WorkSafe works to build safety research capacity in Saskatchewan, Dr. Sean Tucker has joined WorkSafe as the Associate Director of Research. “Dr. Tucker’s abundant experience in health and safety research will be a great asset in his new role,” said Phil Germain, Vice-President of Prevention at the WCB. “Sadly, workplace fatalities are higher this year than we’ve seen in the past few years. There is no single cause for this, which is why it’s so important for us to work together to find solutions.” Tucker has [...]

WorkSafe Sask. announces 2018 Youth Video Contest winners Voting for National Fan Favourite runs until May 3 Regina, SK –WorkSafe Saskatchewan is pleased to announce the winners of the 2018 Youth Video Contest. Saskatchewan students in Grade 9 to 12 were invited to create a two-minute video with the theme, “Focus on Safety” to help students learn more about workplace safety. The 2018 Youth Video Contest winners are: First place: Focus on Safety by Hannah MacKenzie and Nathan Tremblay (teacher Tom Schwinghamer), Humboldt Collegiate Institute, Humboldt Second place: WorkSafe Saskatchewan Video Contest 2018 by Reagan Gerhardt and Tayler Carrierre (teacher Roddy Gall), Nutana Collegiate, Saskatoon Third place: Ladder Safety by Zachary Koroluk and Kaiden Godlien (teacher Michael Wolf), Miller Comprehensive High School, Regina This year, WorkSafe received 21 entries from 12 schools across the province. Entries were judged on their technical merit, adherence to safety regulations, creativity and overall [...]

Canadian health & safety specialist to speak about creating mentally healthy workplaces at the WCB’s Compensation Institute Regina, SK – The Canadian Mental Health Association suggests one in five Canadians will personally experience a mental health problem or illness every year. The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) is bringing Emma Nicolson, Occupational Health and Safety Specialist with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), to speak at the WCB’s annual Compensation Institute, March 19-20. Emma is a national specialist who provides guidance to employers and employees on workplace health and safety. She will speak on workplace factors that can have a direct impact on worker well-being and a methodology to address psychosocial hazards. She will also focus on strategies around the conversations that need to take place when fostering a mentally healthy work environment. Compensation Institute is a free two-day educational event featuring a number of world-class guest [...]

President of Canadian Initiative on Workplace Violence to speak at the WCB’s Compensation Institute in Regina Regina, SK – Workplace injuries caused by violence are increasing in Saskatchewan and the risk of violence is a concern to employers and workers in various industries. Employers and workers want to know what they can do to eliminate the risk of workplace violence and how to stay safe at work. In 2016, violence was the fifth highest cause of workplace injury in Saskatchewan. This is why the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) is bringing Glenn French, President and CEO of the Canadian Initiative on Workplace Violence, to speak at the WCB’s annual Compensation Institute, March 19-20. Glenn is a national and international authority on workplace violence prevention and in light of well-publicized workplace abuses in Canada, he can offer insight into the critical elements of a comprehensive workplace violence prevention program. This includes [...]

For Immediate Release: March 1, 2018 Today, WorkSafe Saskatchewan is proud to announce the formation of a strategic alliance of organizations brought together by the Saskatchewan Safety Council that results in everyone in Saskatchewan between the ages of 14 and 21 having access to completely free career focused safety education! This is believed to be the first time in North America that this level of safety training has been made universally available to all young workers. Core Information: Saskatchewan will become the first jurisdiction in North America to offer universal career focused, industry specific safety training, completely free to all youth between the ages of 14 and 21. A strategic alliance of industries has come together with education partners to launch this initiative after a 5 year pilot involving more than 20 School Divisions and 6 First Nations. Through its safety training programs, Career Safety Education encourages the development of [...]

 Regina, SK – In light of the legalization of marijuana in Canada, employers across Canada are working to get ahead of this legislative change that could impact their workplaces. Workers and employers want to know what they can and can’t do when it comes to legalization. Safety is of critical concern, which is why the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) is bringing Regina lawyer Jana Linner with MLT Aikins LLP to speak at the WCB’s annual Compensation Institute, March 19-20. Jana is a leading authority on marijuana legalization and she will offer advice on what needs to happen in the workplace. Jana can speak to employer and worker responsibilities related to the workplace in Saskatchewan when marijuana is legalized under the Criminal Code in Canada, including impairment, testing and searches. The provinces will set per se levels related to impairment. Jana can also speak about legislation introducing legalized marijuana. Compensation [...]