Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register for the Interactive Online List?
How do I change, add or delete registered user access for my organization?
What are the system requirements for Online Clearance System?
What exactly is a "clearance"?
Who should get clearances?
What is a "deemed worker"?
What is a "deemed/defaulted worker"?
What if I cannot find the firm number of the contractor I am searching for while on the Online Clearance Request System?
If a firm is deemed my worker, am I assessed on the entire amount of the contract?
Can I hold my deemed worker financially responsible to offset any assessment that may be owing to the WCB because of their status?
How do I determine the labour portion of a contract when hiring deemed workers and defaulting subcontractors?
Do I require clearance on Supply Only contracts?
When can I use the Online Clearance System?
I can't log on to the Online Clearance System, what do I do?

Question:
How do I register for the Interactive Online List?

Answer:
When you phone the WCB Technical Support Team to register, you will need to provide the following information:

The name(s) and phone number(s) for the individual(s) you would like to register
A challenge-response phrase (for more on this, please refer to Information Security)
If you are a registered employer with the WCB you will also need your WCB Firm Number, Industry Code and corresponding rate, a valid e-mail address and the last reported Annual Estimated Earnings, or the last reported Quarterly Earnings .

To register, phone the WCB Technical Support Team at 954-4803 in Winnipeg or toll free at 1-866-751-9245. A WCB Technical Support Team member will help you register all of the users for your organization.

Once you are registered, a WCB Technical Support Team member will phone you back with individual User IDs and passwords for each of the users.

Question:
How do I change, add or delete registered user access for my organization?

Answer:
To update user contact information, your organization's Security Administrator will need to advise the WCB Technical Support Team at 954-4803 in Winnipeg or toll free at 1-866-751-9245.

For more information, please see pages 4 and 5 of the Getting Started Guide.

Question:
What are the system requirements for Online Clearance System?

Answer:
Before you register, you may want to check with your System Administrator to make sure your system is compatible with the Interactive Online Clearance System. Your system needs to include:

Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or a later version (128-bit encryption version)
JavaScript enabled on your web browser
Cookies enabled on your web browser*
A valid Internet account
Minimum 800 x 600 display resolution (though 1024 x 768 display resolution is recommended).

Question:
What exactly is a "clearance"?

Answer:
A clearance is basically a letter that tells you whether or not a business, contractor or subcontractor has complied with the requirements of the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba. This is important because if someone you've hired isn't in good standing with the WCB, you might be liable for their assessment costs - or have your own assessment rates go up because they are in an accident.

Question:
Who should get clearances?

Answer:
General contractors or any firm hiring for the purposes of construction, transportation or logging should get clearance information on their subcontractors before work commences and before any payment is made.

Question:
What is a "deemed worker"?

Answer:
Firms registered with the WCB who do not carry appropriate coverage to work for a general contractor will be considered deemed workers of the contractor hiring them. When you check the status of the firm through any of the Clearance Request Systems, the system will identify these types of firms for you.

General Contractors who hire deemed workers should ensure that their current year's estimate of earnings is updated to reflect the labour portion of the contract that they enter into with these firms.

Question:
What is a "deemed/defaulted worker"?

Answer:
Firms with the status of deemed/default do not have the appropriate coverage to work for general contractors and additionally, have not fully complied with the terms of the Workers Compensation Act. Once they have complied, they will return to the status of deemed worker.

Question:
What if I cannot find the contractor I am searching for through the Online Clearance Request System?

Answer:
If you are unable to locate a firm number of the contractor you are searching for, it may be because they are not registered with the WCB. In order to ensure your liability is protected, you should verify whether or not the contractor is required to register with the WCB, otherwise they could be deemed a worker of your firm. (For more information call the Employer Inquiry Unit at 1-204-954-4156 or toll free at 1-800-362-3340)

Question:
If a firm is deemed my worker, am I assessed on the entire amount of the contract?

Answer:
No, you are only responsible to report the labour part of the contract on your Annual Workers Earnings Report or your Quarterly Remittance Form.

Question:
Can I hold my deemed worker financially responsible to offset any assessment that may be due to the WCB because of their status?

Answer:
No. As an employer, you are not allowed to deduct earnings from your deemed worker to offset your financial obligation to the WCB. For more information, refer to the Contract Labour Coverage Fact Sheets on trucking, logging, construction and roofing and the Assessment Schedule for Contract Labour.

Question:
How do I determine the labour portion of a contract when hiring deemed workers and defaulting subcontractors?

Answer:
For calculation examples, labour percentage and rates, refer to the 2008 Assessment Rates. For more information, refer to the Contract Labour Coverage Fact Sheets on trucking, logging, construction and roofing and the Assessment Schedule for Contract Labour.

Question:
Do I require clearance on Supply Only contracts?

Answer:
No, letters of clearance are not required for firms that "supply material only".

Question:
When can I use the Online Clearance System?

Answer:
WCB's Online Clearance System and technical support is available to you 24 hours a day, seven days a week (This availability level is subject to change.).

Question:
I can't log on to the Online Clearance System, what do I do?

Answer:
Contact the WCB Technical Support Team at 954-4803 in Winnipeg or toll free at 1-866-751-9245.