Injury prevention work ‘failing’

Manitoba has the highest workplace injury rate in the country, according to the Workers Compensation Board (WCB). A major labour association, the Manitoba Federation of Labour, is calling for an independent review of the WCB to examine the state of prevention work in the province. Last year, 2.5 employees in every 100 reported serious injuries that required time off, a rate higher than any other province.

Kevin Rebeck, president of the federation, stated that the prevention efforts in Manitoba are failing Manitobans and an independent review is needed to determine the reasons behind the high injury rates. Adam King, a labour studies professor, noted that the actual number of injuries may be significantly higher than what is reported.

Workers may be hesitant to report injuries or may not be fully aware of their rights, particularly immigrants. The government is conducting an internal study and another is being led by Deloitte. Labour Minister Malaya Marcelino is open to an independent review, pending the results of these studies. The WCB has returned $90 million in premiums to employers this year, but the federation argues that this money should be invested in making workplaces safer instead.

Some argue that an independent review is necessary, while others suggest that the province's labour management review committee would be a more suitable option.