This site will look much better in a browser that supports web standards, but it is accessible to any browser or Internet device.

WorkSafeBC

about us banner

2008 Quick Facts

 

How many people does WorkSafeBC serve?

  • 200,959 employers are insured
  • 2.3 million workers are covered

How many phone calls does WorkSafeBC receive every working day?

  • An average of 20,000+ calls

How many pages of documentation does WorkSafeBC receive every working day?

  • 15,000+ pages

How many workplaces in B.C. are covered by WorkSafeBC?

  • 500,000+

Percentage of injured workers who rate their experience with WorkSafeBC as "good " or "very good:"

  • 73%

Percentage of employers who rate their experience as "good"or "very good:"

  • 81%

Percentage of public who believe WorkSafeBC is making a positive contribution to B.C?

  • 85%
 

What was WorkSafeBC's financial status at the end of 2008?

  • Assets were $11.1 billion (fair value); $11.6 billion (smoothed)
  • Premium income from employers was $1.1 billion
  • Investment income was $245 million (fair value); $591 million (smoothed)

What is the assessable payroll and how big is it?

  • The assessable payroll is the gross earnings of all workers, including wages, salaries, commissions, holiday pay, bonuses, piecework, and any other remuneration paid to workers before deductions, up to a maximum wage per worker
  • The total assessable payroll from employers was $71.0 billion in 2008 (estimated)

What was the aggregate premium rate for employers?

On average, the actual amount collected from employers was $1.51 per $100 of assessable payroll in 2008.

What was WorkSafeBC's funding level in 2008?

At the end of 2008, WorkSafeBC had a funding level of 116% (fair value); 121% (smoothed).

How much were WorkSafeBC's estimated claim costs for 2008?*

  • About $1.36 billion

*The 2008 claim costs exclude non-recurring costs ($487 million).
 

What is the ratio of male to female injured workers?

  • The ratio of male to female injured workers is 67%:33%

What is the average age of an injured worker?

  • 39

How many young workers (under age 25) were injured in 2008?

  • 10,715 (17%)

How many workers over age 55 were injured in 2008?

  • 8,355 (13%)

How many days were lost from work to injury?

  • 2.9 million

What were the top five injuries (number of claims) in 2008?*

  1. Strains (excluding back strains): 21,390
  2. Back strains: 14,680
  3. Cuts: 7,030
  4. Contusions: 6,920
  5. Fractures: 4,220

*Excludes health care-only claims

What injuries caused the greatest number of days lost from work?*

  1. Strains (excluding back strains): 1,110,000 days
  2. Back strains: 578,000 days
  3. Fractures: 501,000 days
  4. Occupational diseases: 176,000 days
  5. Contusions: 151,000 days

*Excludes health care-only claims

How many fatal claims were accepted in 2008?

  • 160

See a description of claims accepted for fatal benefits in 2008.
 

How many short-term disability claims were paid for the first time in 2008?*

  • 59,344

*Formerly called wage-loss claims

When a worker is injured on the job, how long is it from the day of injury to the first payment on a claim?

  • An average of 17.8 calendar days

What is the average number of days paid for short-term disability claims?

  • 48.1 days

What are the top industry sectors for claims?*

Sector Claims first paid Days lost Claim costs (millions)
General construction 9,713 419,000 $130.6
Health care/social assistance 7,936 332,000 $56.3
Retail 7,035 232,000 $37.3
Accommodation, food, and leisure services 5,799 194,000 $32.5
Service sector (other services) 5,048 189,000 $49.9

*Excludes health care-only claims

How many injuries were reported last year?

  • 168,408

How many claims were accepted last year?

  • 128,442

What percentage of claims were disallowed in 2008?

  • 7.3 %
 

How many health and safety inspections were done in 2008?

  • 32,959

How many health and safety orders were written in 2008?

  • 60,904

How many penalties were imposed in 2008?

  • 150

What was the value of penalties imposed in 2008?

  • $2.6 million