WSIB Announces Final Premium Rates for 2010

TORONTO , Nov. 5 /CNW/ - The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has decided to freeze rates for the majority of employers in 2010, while applying the usual rate-setting methodology for rate groups that have not achieved expected health and safety and return to work outcomes.

As in previous years, the WSIB approach to rate-setting is based on industry accountability for workplace insurance costs.

The majority of employers (over 200,000) will have their premium rates maintained at 2009 levels. 2010 will see a significantly smaller number of employers (approximately 36,000) facing rate increases - this compares to recent years, when approximately 90,000 employers per year experienced increases. Good-performing employers will continue to be eligible for rebates under the WSIB's incentive-based programs.

"The decision on premium rates comes after extensive consultation in 2009, which I have conducted personally with employer and worker stakeholders on a wide range of issues," said WSIB Chair Steven W. Mahoney. "We are doing all we can to protect the financial sustainability of the system from current financial pressures, while being fair to the workers and employers who rely on it."

"While the vast majority of Ontario employers will not have an increase, employers in some rate groups will have to pay more," said Mahoney. "Under our collective liability system, employers in the same industries are grouped together for rate-setting purposes. This ensures employers in low-risk industries don't have to pay for the insurance costs of high-risk industries - but it also means that some employers with successful prevention and return-to-work programs will have increases to their base premium rates (which may be offset by incentive-program rebates) for 2010. This is because their rate groups include employers that still need to improve their health and safety or return to work results."

"As our workplaces continue to become safer and healthier, employers and workers - as well as health and safety and industry associations - will need to work with the WSIB to find new ways of ensuring workplace health and safety best practices become standard across entire industries," concluded Mahoney.

The WSIB maximum insurable earnings ceiling for 2010 is $77,600 . This is an increase of 4 per cent from $74,600 in 2009. Changes to the Maximum Insurable Earnings Ceiling are directly linked to changes in average earnings in Ontario as measured by Statistics Canada , and provisions under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.

Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) plays a key role in the province's workplace health and safety system. The WSIB administers no-fault workplace insurance for employers and their workers and is committed to the elimination of workplace injuries and illnesses. The WSIB provides disability benefits, monitors the quality of healthcare, and assists in early and safe return to work for workers who are injured on the job or contract an occupational disease.

For further information: Christine Arnott, WSIB Media Relations, [phone], [email protected]