The PRIME Program is Changing in 2023 for smaller employers
In an effort to help employers better understand their Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements, WorkplaceNL is making changes to the PRIME incentive program.
Beginning January 2023, employers with less than $10,000 in average assessments and nine workers or less at each worksite (fewer than 20 workers for federal worksites) will be considered Path 1 employers.
Path 1 will help smaller employers improve their safety performance by providing education on OHS responsibilities and the importance of effective return-to-work programs.
Smaller employers in the construction industry must continue to be CORTM certified and will not be considered Path 1.
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By Dec 31, 2023, Path 1 Employers will be required to:
Have a trained Worker Health and Safety Representative or Designate in place.
Employers must complete the Worker Health and Safety Representative/Designate certification.
Complete PRIME education course(s) as outlined by WorkplaceNL
At least one individual will need to complete WorkplaceNL’s Return-to-Work course for the 2023 PRIME year.
This course will be available through the CTR beginning January 2023.
In 2024 and 2025, employers will be required to complete two courses each year and maintain Worker Health and Safety Representative or Designate Certification.
There will be no costs associated with these courses.
To qualify for your PRIME rebate, Path 1 employers will need to complete these three steps:
Claim your network.
Complete the required training.
Submit your Annual Employer Statement by February 28 each year.
Note: PRIME’s financial incentives will remain the same and organizations must still pass the Practice requirements to receive the experience refund, if eligible.
Webinars
To learn more about the new PRIME program, register for one of our live scheduled webinars:
To prepare for these changes, employers are encouraged to claim their network on the CTR. Claiming your network will help employers manage their workplace training requirements and view worker completion records. To learn more, view our How-to Guide.
Changes for other employer groups will be coming in 2024 and 2025.
A summary of the changes planned for the entire program is outlined in the road map below:
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Frequently Asked Questions
a. What is changing under the revised PRIME program?
There are several things that are changing:
The PRIME assessment limit, which helps to determine size, will change from $48,000 to $10,000.
How employers are categorized will change from Small, Medium, and Large to Path 1, Path 2 and Path 3. Construction will not change.
Your workplace’s PRIME practice refund requirements will be based on your employer category.
Path 1 – OHS Education: Employers with less than $10,000 average assessments and nine workers or less at each worksite (fewer than 20 workers for federal worksites).
Path 2 – OHS Essentials (2024 Roll-out): Employers with less than $10,000 average assessments and 10 or more workers at each worksite (20 or more workers for federal worksites).
Path 3 – OHS Leadership Certification (2025 Roll-out): Employers with greater than or equal to $10,000 average assessments.
All employer categories will require either return-to-work education or incorporate return-to-work in their OHS program.
Other safety certifications (i.e. CORTM) for non-Construction employers will be recognized.
b. What is staying the same under the revised PRIME program?
Financial incentives remain the same for practice refunds and experience refunds or charges.
Employers must still pass their practice requirements to access the experience component.
The PRIME audit process for Path 2 will stay the same.
Construction employers will still require CORTM certification.
c. When will the new PRIME requirements change?
The revisions to the PRIME Program will start to roll out as follows:
2022: Current PRIME program still in effect for all employers.
2023: First year for Path 1 – OHS Education employers
2024: First year for Path 2 – OHS Essentials employers
2025: First year for Path 3 – OHS Leadership Certification employers (tentative)
d. How do I know if I am Path 1?
If you pay less than $10,000 in annual average base assessments over the last three years and are a provincial employer who regularly employs nine or less workers (fewer than 20 for federal workplaces) at every worksite location, you are considered a Path 1 employer. When you file your online Annual Employer Statements in 2023, we will calculate your Path. If your calculation indicates you are Path 1, you will be notified via email or mail.
e. What do I have to do in 2023 if I am Path 1?
By the end of 2023, Path 1 employers will be required to have a trained Worker Health and Safety Representative or Designate in place and complete the Introduction to Return to Work course. Information about these can be found on the Certification Training Registry (CTR).
f. If I already have the worker health and safety representative/designate course completed, do I need to complete it again?
No, if you have a worker who has a valid OHS committee, worker health and safety representative/designate certification, you do not need to complete it again.
g. Does the same worker have to complete all the courses?
No, courses can be completed by different workers. For example, one worker could complete the Worker Health and Safety Representative/Designate Certification and another could complete the Return to Work course.
h. How do I access the courses I need to complete?
i. Is there a cost for the five courses that need to be completed over the next three years?
There is no cost for the five required PRIME courses offered by WorkplaceNL. The cost of completing the Worker Health and Safety Representative/Designate Certification offered by WorkplaceNL-approved providers is the responsibility of the employer.
j. How will WorkplaceNL know I have met the requirements for Path 1 (i.e. the required courses completed)?
WorkplaceNL will validate the completed course through the Certification Training Registry (CTR). Employers will be required to claim their network on the CTR and link their workers to their account. To learn more about claiming your network on the CTR, view our How-to Guide.
