FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2018
WorkplaceNL reports 2017 workplace injury rates
St. John’s, NL – For the third consecutive year, the lost-time incidence rate due to workplace injury or illness in Newfoundland and Labrador has remained at an all-time low of 1.5 per 100 workers, which is among the lowest in Canada. The rate among 15 to 24 year-old workers also remained stable for the second consecutive year at 1.3 per 100 workers, and remains below the provincial rate.
There were small declines in new claims, including approximately 200 less short-term claims and 160 less health-care only claims in 2017 versus 2016.
“While the statistics tell a successful story in our province, there is still a need for continued vigilance. It is our responsibility as leaders, employers, and employees to ensure our workplaces are safe. We need to further reduce serious injuries, workplace violence and harassment,” said the Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister Responsible for WorkplaceNL.
“Newfoundland and Labrador remains one of the safest places to work in Canada, which is due to the ongoing combined efforts of all safety partners in our province, including workers, labour, employers, government and safety organizations,” said Dennis Hogan, CEO, WorkplaceNL. “With their help, we are implementing a new five-year workplace injury prevention strategy to further improve workplace health and safety throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Unfortunately, there were 25 work-related fatalities in 2017, five accidental and 20 from occupational disease.
The lost-time incidence rate in 2017 declined in six industries, increased in four and stayed the same in two. The 2017 Industry Fact Sheets are now available on www.workplacenl.ca.
In 2017, lost-time incidents due to:
- soft-tissue injuries remained at 1.0 per 100 workers for the third consecutive year;
- serious injuries rose to 10.5 per 10,000 workers, from 9.7 in 2016;
- hearing loss rose for the fourth consecutive year to 10.6 per 10,000 workers, up from 9.5 in 2016;
- assaults and violent acts decreased to 7.7 per 10,000 workers, from 8.9 in 2016;
- falls from heights reached an all-time low at 7.3 per 10,000 workers, down from 7.4 in 2016;
- back injuries reached an all-time low at 3.8 per 1,000 workers, down from 4.1in 2016; and
- eye injuries reached an all-time low at 0.7 per 1,000 workers, down from 0.8 in 2016.
The lost-time incidence rate represents the number of workers who received compensation while missing time from work due to a work-related injury or illness.
WorkplaceNL offers programs to all employers and workers to help prevent workplace injury and illness. Please call 1.800.563.9000 or 778.1000, email general.inquiries@workplacenl.ca or visit www.workplacenl.ca for more information.
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About WorkplaceNL
Serving approximately 13,000 injured workers and 19,000 employers, WorkplaceNL administers an employer-funded, no-fault insurance system that promotes safe and healthy workplaces, provides return-to-work programs and offers fair compensation to injured workers and their dependents.
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Media contact:
Nicole Martin, Manager, Marketing and Communications
709.778.1566 or nicole.martin@workplacenl.ca