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Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council

Fisheries Safety Association. Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council. Background. Workers’ Compensation rates in the fishing industry (harvesting, processing and aquaculture) have continued to rise over the last number of years.

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Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council

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  1. Fisheries Safety Association Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council

  2. Background • Workers’ Compensation rates in the fishing industry (harvesting, processing and aquaculture) have continued to rise over the last number of years. • If rates continue to escalate, the industry will face greater challenges in remaining competitive in the global marketplace. • Competitive issues such as a strong competition from other countries, exchange rate issues, escalating fuel and energy costs have made it difficult for the industry to remain competitive. • Every extra dollar paid in Workers’ Compensation is a dollar less that can be invested in plant facilities, fishing enterprise, marketing activities or employment.

  3. SIC 321 – Aquaculture/Services Incidental to Fishing IN 2007: • 4% of industry sector payroll • Total of 41 injuries – 45 in sector • 38% (14 people) missed 3+ days of work • Total of 102 work weeks lost to date for these injuries – equivalent to 2 people each missing one year of worktime • Average of 7 weeks lost per TL claim – still growing! • $0.5 Million paid in WCB premiums

  4. Rate History SIC 321Aquaculture/Services Incidental to Fishing

  5. Total ClaimsSIC 321 – Aquaculture/Services Incidental to Fishing

  6. Costs used in 2008 industry rate setting Total 2-Year Claims CostsSIC 321 – Aquaculture/Services Incidental to Fishing

  7. Projected Baseline Assessment RateAquaculture/Services Incidental to Fishing 8% Increase In Rate 2014 $4.56 2009 $4.18 2001 $2.87

  8. Rate History SIC 311 – Salt Water Fishing

  9. Projected Baseline Assessment RateSalt Water Fishing 18% Increase In Rate 2014 $8.87 2009 $7.48 2001 $6.53

  10. Rate History SIC 1021 – Fish Products

  11. Projected Baseline Assessment RateFish Products 2014 $6.67 28% Increase In Rate 2009 $5.19 2001 $3.21

  12. TOP 3 NATURES OF INJURY: 2007

  13. TOP 3 Parts of Body Injured: 2007

  14. TOP 3 Events: 2007

  15. What has been done to date • 2004 Processing Sector recognized the issue of escalating rates and commissioned a study “Study of Accident Costs in the Fish Processing Sector” • Number of recommendations were put forward for consideration • Strategic Planning sessions were held with industry around the recommendations. Consensus that industry is ready to tackle issues related to safety and escalating WCB premiums on an industry-wide basis • Processing sector explored way they could work together. There was support to form a safety association. We were unable to gain consensus on a levy funded model at that time

  16. What has been done to date • In 2007 the harvesting and aquaculture sectors came together to explore the issue. A baseline study was completed by the NSFSC, which captured information regarding accidents and injuries in the sectors. Key issues were identified, along with recommendations for industry to consider. • Consultation/Information sessions were held with industry in a number of locations (5). The recommendations were presented for consideration. There was consensus from those that participated that industry should work together to combat this issue.

  17. Concept of a Safety Assoc. for the Fishing Industry • The issue around improving safety is a shared responsibility. • All companies, individuals, etc in the sector share the cost of accidents/injuries. • Working together to improve this will benefit all sectors of the fishing industry. • This can be achieved by having a Safety Association.

  18. Formation of a Safety Assoc. for the Fishing Industry • The NSFSC has secured funding for a two year period from the WCBNS, in hopes of the formation of a safety association, supported by the fishing industry. • An advisory committee has been formed, with representation from all sectors of the fishery. This committee has endorsed a strategy for industry to consider for the formation of a safety association. • Options for consideration in the area of governance, structure, mandate, objectives, activities, expected outcomes and funding have been outlined.

  19. Safety Associations in Nova Scotia • It has been recognized by other industries that working collectively on issues related to safety have assisted in building a safety culture among employees and employers. The end result has been fewer accidents/injuries and a reduction in workers’ compensation rates. • Current Assoc. – Trucking, Forestry, Construction, and Retail Gasoline. Future associations for Health Care & Retail Auto Dealers. • Ex: Forestry – reduced WCB rates by 40% in the last 5 years. • FSS was able to do this by having a strong commitment to safety and injured workers’ early and safe return to work, along with preventing injuries.

  20. Process for setting up Safety Assoc. in NS • Go through NSDLWD (formerly NSDEL) to establish an Order in Council • Industry needs to be defined (SIC’s) • State % in favour or opposed to the establishment • Objectives would need to be described, and how they would be achieved • Funding mechanism would need to be established • If the Order in Council is approved, WCBNS will collect funds from the individuals in the SIC’s and make payment to the specified association • The safety association would be required to provide annual activity reports to the NSDLWD

  21. Mandate • The mandate of the safety association would directly relate to enhancing safety, making the industry more attractive for new employees and keeping the existing employees safe and healthy. The association’s work will result in a reduction of accidents/injuries, along with workers compensation rates for the fishing industry.

  22. Objectives • To facilitate a change process to create safer workplaces, which will in turn assist in a safe return to work and injury prevention. • To develop and provide educational tools to help reduce the number of injuries occurring in the fishing industry. • To increase awareness of costs association with workplace injury in the fishing industry.

  23. Functions of a Safety Association Prevention Education • Implementation of an accident prevention strategy for the fishing industry. Educate the industry on accident investigation, preventing workplace injuries, ergonomics, etc.

  24. Functions of a Safety Association • Undertake concrete activities that are of direct interest to industry and that have the potential to have a positive affect on rates. This can be in the form of developing educational tools.

  25. Functions of a Safety Association Advocacy • The association would have the capacity to undertake research on causes of escalating rates. Research could also be done on the economic impacts that could result from the continuation of escalating costs that could make the fishing industry in the province less competitive.

  26. Functions of a Safety Association • Continue the dialogue with Workers’ Compensation Board and Government in their efforts to implement improved medical services in a timely fashion – ie: Doctor’s Nova Scotia and the Physiotherapy contract. • Work with all stakeholders that have a keen interest in improving workplace safety.

  27. Functions of a Safety Association Communication and Awareness • There will be a means to show industry wide leadership on the issue of safety. • Increase awareness of safety and celebrate success. • Promote a safety culture in the industry. • The association would have the means to communicate with industry on causes, and various specific activities that can address these.

  28. Expected Outcomes By having a safety association in place the following outcomes are expected to take place: • There will be a structure in place to provide industry wide leadership on the issue of safety. • There will be broadened awareness around accident prevention among employers and employees. • Increase communication around health and safety within the fishing industry.

  29. Expected Outcomes • The safety association would be recognized by the Province of NS, Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia, and the safety community. • Due to the increased efforts around building a safety culture, accidents/injuries will be reduced, which will lower workers’ compensation rates.

  30. Exploring the Option of a Safety Association for the Fishing Industry • Advisory committee endorsed a strategy which outlined options for industry to consider (Spring/Summer 2008) • Full mail out conducted to all SIC’s in Nova Scotia (1306) (Fall 2008) • Consultation sessions held in Oct (Yarmouth, Shelburne, Port Hawkesbury and Halifax)

  31. Exploring the Option of a Safety Association for the Fishing Industry • Feedback given from those that participated that they were in support to form a safety association • Options to consider were presented in relation to structure, governance, activities, funding options, etc.

  32. Exploring the Option of a Safety Association for the Fishing Industry • Advisory committee met in Nov 08 to decide how to proceed. • Agreed on: • Co-existing structure (housed within the NSFSC office), • Independent board (15 person – 5 H, 5 P,3 A, 2 NSFSC, Ex-officio), • Membership fee option ($200/$2000 premium, $100/$1000 premium, $50/under $1000 premium • Activities based on amount of revenue collected

  33. Exploring the Option of a Safety Association for the Fishing Industry • Agreed on: • Activities based on amount of revenue collected • Full time Employee • Safety Advocate for Industry • Communication and Awareness • Programming for employers around Accident Prevention • Develop industry specific training • Training at a reduced rate • Newsletter mailed to all SIC’s Jan 09, info provided, opportunity for feedback by Feb

  34. Next Steps • Assess feedback received from mailout • Secure letters of support • Educate MLA’s • Develop Order in Council • Continue to communicate information to industry

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