Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council

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
Total 2-Year Claims CostsSIC 321
Aquaculture/Services Incidental to Fishing
7
Projected Baseline Assessment RateAquaculture/Ser
vices 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 (SICs)
• 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 SICs
  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 associations 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 Doctors 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 SICs 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 SICs Jan 09, info
  provided, opportunity for feedback by Feb

34
Next Steps

• Assess feedback received from mailout
• Secure letters of support
• Educate MLAs
• Develop Order in Council
• Continue to communicate information to industry