Earn rebates with WSIB’s new Health & Safety Excellence program
A new Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) program offers a clear roadmap for businesses to improve workplace safety, whether they are just getting started or want to optimize systems and processes already in place.
The WSIB Health and Safety Excellence program is a performance-based incentive program that integrates the strengths of the previous WSIB Small Business, Safety Groups and Workwell programs. Registration is now open. The program starts in 2020. Successful participants can earn rebates and other forms of recognition for investing in health and safety.
The rebate structure is based on a business's ability to impact its premium rate, in line with the WSIB's new premium rate-setting model, which goes into effect on January 1, 2020. Most businesses (96%) have less ability to impact their rates and will receive a higher rebate. Businesses with more ability to impact their rates will receive a lower rebate.
To help workplaces work through the program, the WSIB has established a network of approved providers, including WSPS.
"One of the program's strengths is that it allows an employer to do as much as the company is able to handle,' explains WSPS Health & Safety Excellence program Consultant Kristina Dragun. Participating companies choose from one to five health and safety topics to work on. They determine when they want to start and control their progress through the program. The rebates they earn will reflect their success with the topic(s) they've chosen.
"In the process," says Kristina, "the program helps companies wishing to improve their health and safety program, as well as companies that may be considering a management system. For those who don't know how to begin, the Health & Safety Excellence program is a great place to start because you could build it from the ground up. All the expertise required to implement a health and safety program or a management system is built in."
WSPS is particularly well positioned to support program participants, says Kristina. "As a long-standing provider of the WSIB's Safety Groups program, we have an excellent track record in helping participating employers earn rebates by improving their health and safety performance. With the Health & Safety Excellence program, our professional health and safety staff will be sharing their expertise with participants as topic specialists and Excellence Guides."
How WSPS can help
"I'm really excited about this," continues Kristina, "because it's an opportunity for WSPS and participating companies to build a customized one-on-one experience. After a company signs up with us, we will introduce them to a dedicated Excellence Guide - someone who will guide them step by step as they move through the program, provide exclusive access to WSPS health and safety resources, and connect them with anyone in the organization who could offer additional support. Participating companies will also receive a 10% discount on select WSPS training, conferences, workshops and consulting."
Find out more about how the WSIB Excellence program works or email excellenceprogram@wsps.ca.
