The board says it is assisting employers in recovering from the pandemic
Workplace insurance costs for Ontario businesses will remain at a 20-year low after the Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) announced it is freezing premiums for 2023. This means the average premium rate will stay at $1.30 for every $100 of insurable payroll.
Jeffery Lang, WSIB president and CEO, says the WSIB knows Ontario businesses are still feeling the pain caused by the pandemic.
"We are doing our part to support Ontario businesses as they recover from the pandemic while improving outcomes for people who have been injured to have a safe, timely and lasting return to work," says Lang. "I am very proud that we are able to hold premium rates to a 20-year low."
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Next year the WSIB will double the rebates for smaller businesses enrolled in the Health and Safety Excellence program for each task completed, in addition to $1,000 for implementing health and safety plans.
"Some businesses could earn back their entire premium payment if they invest in health and safety improvements in the workplace," says Lang. "This is the biggest financial incentive we've ever had, and I hope a lot of small businesses take us up on this offer."
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The board is also working with the province’s other safety partners to deliver better outcomes for people who have been injured at work in order to improve health and safety practices in Ontario's workplaces.
"Our government is driving generational change at the WSIB to deliver for people injured at work while also keeping costs low for Ontario businesses," says labour minister Monte McNaughton. "Working together, we will be taking more action in the coming months to support safe employers and put workers and their families first."
