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In This Issue
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WorkSafeBC
Rates for 2012
Principles for Principals
School Start-up Safety
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Questions
If you have questions about the issues raised in this newsletter, or
any health, safety or wellness issue, please contact Sue Ferguson at 604.730.4502 or suef@bcpsea.bc.ca
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Rates
2012
Preliminary
rate information was presented on August 16 by WorkSafeBC
Business Information and Analysis, and is now available. Please see the
BCPSEA website to view the WorkSafe PowerPoint presentations
related to school districts.
This
is a good news situation. From a rate perspective, the rate is down 20%
from $0.69 in 2011 to $0.55 in 2012 due to two factors:
1.
the lower cost rate
2.
the improved rate group surplus
However,
once the balance is gone, everything else being equal, the total cost
rate for the insurance will be $0.65.
The
Classification Unit Overview presentation provides a high level view of
OHS information over a five year period. This information may identify
trends, correlations and comparisons useful to the employer when
developing strategies and initiatives to prevent injuries and reduce
costs.
Highlights
of the 2006–2010 Public School Overview show a downward trend in the
number of claims, cost of claims, work days lost, and the overall injury
rate. There is, however, a continuing increase in the days lost per
claim. The injury rate for public school districts remains lower
than the injury rate for all BC classification units combined. Custodians
account for 25% of claims. Elementary and Secondary School
Assistants account for 22% of claims. Over-exertion and falls on the same
level remain the top two accident types. These components are cost
drivers that affect the employer’s net rate and can be controlled through
effective prevention and injury management/return to work programs.
Principles
for Principals
BCPSEA has successfully applied for a
small initiative grant from WorkSafeBC. Funding
is being provided to develop and publish a resource to assist
school-based administrators in dealing with common occupational health
and safety issues. Sue Ferguson is working with a focus group from the BC
Principals’ and Vice Principals’ Association (BCPVPA) and will be seeking
input and recommendations from others in the field during the development
of the document. This will be provided as a web document and in limited
numbers as hard copy, with anticipated availability in early in 2012.
School Start-up Safety
Accident
and injury rates frequently increase during the first month of school.
People are coming back from a lengthy period of activity that is
different from their routine school work. Educational Assistants may be
working with new students or familiar students who have grown and may
have changed behaviours after the two months in the summer. Student care
plans and behavioural plans need to be reviewed and training may also
need to be updated.
For
further information, please contact Sue Ferguson
at suef@bcpsea.bc.ca
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