Questions and Answers 

When should accidents and injuries be reported?

As soon as you learn an employee has sought medical help for a work-related injury or illness, you must fill out the Employer's Report of Injury/Illness (PDF, 14 KB) and send it to the YWCHSB within three working days.  Find out more about the obligations and penalties associated with this report.

Employers must immediately report all serious accidents involving serious injuries and illnesses to the Occupational Health and Safety branch. Reports can be made by telephone to the 24-hour Accident Report Line at (867) 667-5450.

Examples of serious injuries: Any injury causing death, paralysis, amputation, fracture of a major bone, loss of sight, internal bleeding, third degree burns, dysfunction (e.g. unconsciousness) due to concussion, electrical contact, lack of oxygen or poisoning.

Examples of serious accidents: Uncontrolled explosions; failure of hoist equipment; collapse or upset of a crane; collapse or failure of a load-bearing structure; inrush of water, fire or explosion in an underground working; collapse or cave-in of a trench, excavation wall, underground working or stockpile; accidental release of a controlled product; any "close calls" -- accidents that likely would have caused serious injury but did not because of safety precautions, rescue measures or chance.

A worker should report an injury or an accident promptly to their supervisor and report within 12 months to the YWCHSB.

How soon after hiring a worker does an employer have to register with the YWCHSB?

Within 10 days. The employer must register and establish an account whether workers are employed on a regular, casual or contract basis.

What determines an employer's assessment rate?

The assessment unit assigns an industry code to each employer. These codes place employers with a similar type of operation, hazard or accident experience record together.

Rates for each industry are set annually by the Board. An employer pays an assessment based on payroll figures. The minimum assessment for all or part of the year is $25.00.

Can a sole proprietor (independent operator) choose to be covered by Workers' Compensation?

Optional coverage is available. A sole proprietor must apply, in writing, to the assessment unit who will review the application. Once the YWCHSB approves coverage, an account will be opened.