WorkSafeBC

What was WorkSafeBC's financial status at the end of 2007?

• Assets were $12.4 billion (fair value); $11.3 billion (smoothed)
• Premium income from employers was $1.1 billion
• Investment income was $1.1 billion (fair value); $1.0 billion (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 $68.1 billion in 2007 (estimated)

What was the aggregate premium rate for employers?*

On average, the actual amount collected from employers was $1.66 per $100 of assessable payroll in 2007.

What was WorkSafeBC's funding level in 2007?

At the end of 2007, WorkSafeBC had a funding level of 138% (fair value); 125% (smoothed).

How much were WorkSafeBC's estimated claim costs for 2007?**

• About $1.12 billion

*Rate does not reflect the impact resulting from a special $86 million surplus rebate distributed in 2007. Including the rebate, the aggregate rate was $1.53 per $100 of assessable payroll.

**Includes cost stemming from a 2006 Supreme Court decision on benefit eligibility.

What is the ratio of male to female injured workers?

• The ratio of male to female injured workers is 69%:31%

What is the average age of an injured worker?

• 39

How many young workers (under age 25) were injured in 2007?

• 11,540 (17%)

How many workers over age 55 were injured in 2007?

• 8,105 (12%)

How many days were lost from work to injury?

• 2.8 million

What were the top five injuries (number of claims) in 2007?*

1. Strains (excluding back strains): 21,340
2. Back strains: 14,780
3. Cuts: 7,340
4. Contusions: 7,300
5. Fractures: 4,680

*Excludes health care-only claims

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

1. Strains (excluding back strains): 1,040,000 days
2. Back strains: 537,000 days
3. Fractures: 519,000 days
4. Occupational diseases: 180,000 days
5. Contusions: 145,000 days

*Excludes health care-only claims

How many fatal claims were accepted in 2007?

• 139

See a description of claims accepted for fatal benefits in 2007.

How many short-term disabilty claims were paid for the first time in 2007?*

• 61,393

*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 18.4 calendar days

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

• 46.3 days

What are the top industry sectors for claims?*

*Excludes health care-only claims

How many injuries were reported last year?

• 173,538

How many claims were accepted last year?

• 135,453

What percentage of claims were disallowed in 2007?

• 6.6 %

How many health and safety inspections were done in 2007?

• 29,893

How many health and safety orders were written in 2007?

• 51,690

How many penalties were imposed in 2007?

• 221

What was the value of penalties imposed in 2007?

• $4.3 million