News & Announcements

The following WCB policies have been amended:

• Repetitive Strain Injuries (POL-91). The amendments set out the criteria for acceptance of repetitive strain injuries including how risk factors are considered and weighed to determine entitlement to compensation. 
• Conditions for Entitlement (POL-71), formerly titled Arising Out of and in the Course of Employment. The amendments provide clarification on the criteria and conditions that must be satisfied for a claim to be accepted for compensation. Emergency Callout of Workers (POL-127) has been rescinded as the content has been incorporated into the Conditions for Entitlement (POL-71)

Information about the changes can be found in the History section of each policy. The WCB thanks all stakeholders who participated in the policy consultation process.

The Workers Compensation Board has approved in principle the following policies:

• Clothing Allowance (POL-44)
• Return to Work (POL-93)
• Review of Benefits (POL-85)

We invite you to provide feedback on the draft policies by March 6, 2019 in the Policy Consultation section of our website.

A new policy, Annuity (POL-154), has been developed to reflect the amendments to the Workers Compensation Act related to the provision of retirement benefits. Pension Replacement Benefits (POL-124) has been revised as a result.

The WCB thanks all stakeholders for their feedback in the consultation process.

To reflect amendments to the Workers Compensation Act, a number of WCB policies have been revised:

• Return to Work (POL-93) has been updated to reflect the legislative change to exclude the employer of a volunteer firefighter from re-employment obligations.
• Survivor Benefits (POL-12) has been updated to reflect the change in the lump sum payment for the death of a worker.
• Occupational Disease (POL-65) has been updated to reflect presumptive legislation for claims filed by firefighters and fire inspectors with specific types of cancer.
• Impairment (POL-89), has been revised to reflect the amended definition for impairment. In addition to physical impairment, the new definition recognizes impairment resulting from psychological conditions and ongoing symptoms, such as chronic pain.

The changes are noted in the History section at the end of each policy. The WCB thanks all stakeholders for their feedback in the legislative consultation process.

The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) of Prince Edward Island was pleased to host its annual Workplace Health & Safety Conference this week to another packed crowd. 

In hosting the conference, the WCB aims to bring employers and workers together to discuss emerging issues and topics related to workplace safety. 

“It was another eventful conference, with relevant and timely topics on occupational health and safety,” said Stuart Affleck, Chair of the Workers Compensation Board. “We are proud to host this important event, as it continues to be an excellent opportunity to come together as safety professionals, employers and workers, to build awareness around safety.”

This year’s delegates were treated to an engaging presentation by Curtis Weber, this year’s key note speaker. Curtis Weber comes from Battleford, Saskatchewan, and has been inspiring and influencing change in safety behaviours across North America for over 10 years. Working in safety as a Trainer, Consultant, Officer and Speaker, following a near fatal workplace incident, Curtis has been able to develop a unique way of challenging audiences to change the way they perceive safety. Curtis believes that before we can develop or change a safety culture, first we must understand and influence human behaviours towards safety. Using his own personal experience of a near fatal workplace incident, Curtis tells his story and challenges the way people think about safety. This heartening presentation shows how a tragic, life-changing, and near-fatal experience turned one man's experience toward passion and purpose.

Delegates also enjoyed a variety of sessions relevant to today’s employers, managers, supervisors and workers, and designed to promote safety skills, knowledge and awareness. Topics included:

• Creating Mentally Healthy Workplaces
• Lift Smart & Stay Safe: A Guide to Injury Prevention and Safe Lifting at Work
• Fire Safety in the Workplace
• Workplace Policies #TrendingNow
• Safe Business is Smart Business
• Safety Culture: Beliefs, Values, Actions
• Supervisory Development-What Do I Really Need to Know?
• Accident Investigation for Today’s Workplace
• Using Behavioural Insights to Nudge Workers Back to Work
• Finding Balance: A Self-Care Approach to Managing Your Life
• Safety Communications at Maritime Electric. 

The conference also featured a trade show of products and services from Canada’s health and safety community.

The conference also featured an inspiring workshop from PEI's own Paralympic Medalist Mark Arendz, who recently won six medals at the 2018 Paralympic Games in Pyeong Chang, including a biathlon gold. Mark’s session, Finding Opportunities After Loss, chronicled his journey from a traumatic farm accident on PEI when he was only seven years old, to becoming a Paralympic Medalist and a World Champion in Biathlon and Cross Country Skiing.

The WCB hosts the conference annually around North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week.  For more information about creating a culture of workplace safety throughout the year, visit the Health and Safety section of the Workers Compensation Board website at www.wcb.pe.ca  or contact the WCB office at 902-368-5680 or toll-free at 1-800-237-5049.

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