Sheet Metal Journal, the insight - the information

GREAT OPPORTUNITY
There is a great opportunity for company owners to achieve two major benefits—decreasing workplace accidents and reducing costs. The Q and A that follows explains what can be achieved and how to do it.

How can I reduce my costs?
First, you can earn a 5% WorkSafeBC (WCB) rebate on your base assessment rate for 2006 by completing the requirements for the Certificate of Recognition (COR offered through the Construction Safety Association of BC (CSABC)). You will be learning how to stop or decrease workplace injuries, through an inexpensive, tested program that is designed specifically for the Construction Industry.

How Do I start?
Contact the CSABC—call Cathy Lange at 604-315-3722 or email her at: c.lange@telus.net You can also check out our program at our website www.casbc.ca

Cathy will walk through you through the easy steps to earning you Certificate of Recognition (COR) which qualifies your company for the 5% rebate.

COR will teach you the essential information you need to know to save money through managing your safety program and your WorkSafeBC claims.

Each day a construction worker is off on WorkSafeBC claim, the cost against your company (compensation payments) is a minimum of $200.

Does the program train workers?
Yes! CSABC has a unique interactive, computer-based safety training system that trains workers and tests their learning. The course takes an average of 4 hours to complete and can be taken at various locations.

I don’t have a written safety program. Do I need one?
If you have 20 or more full-time workers, the law requires you to have a written safety program. This written program can also be obtained through the CSABC and its training partners.

What about companies that are not in Construction Sector 72 —can they still qualify for the 5% rebate?
WorkSafeBC recently announced that COR is open to all industries, therefore all sectors can qualify for COR; however, to qualify you must have a COR Certifying Partner.
CSABC certifies construction sector 72 and may certify additional companies depending on the nature of the business. If you are in the business of supplying and servicing construction companies and the majority of your work is spent on a construction site you
may qualify.

Will the incentives from WorkSafeBC increase over time?
Yes! You will shortly be able to earn a rebate of up to 15%!
The Construction Safety Association (CSABC) is a WorkSafeBC partner in the Partners in Injury and Disability Prevention Program. The Program will provide different levels of incentives to employers who go beyond the legal requirements of the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and take a best practices approach to implementing health and safety and disability management programs. The reward for this new, higher level of accountability is first and foremost a safer, healthier workforce. But there are important financial incentives as well.
Employers who participate in the program can earn one or more Certificates of Recognition (CORs), which make them eligible for rebates on their WorkSafeBC premiums. Rebates of up to 15 percent are possible for employers who have an outstanding and ongoing commitment to health and safety and effective return-to-work.

How do the additional rebates work?

There are three levels of participation:
Occupational Health and Safety COR-The foundation of the Partners Program, this COR is awarded to employers who implement and maintain an occupational health and safety management system that exceeds regulatory requirements. Employers who obtain COR certification receive a five percent rebate on their WorkSafeBC premiums (before experience rating).

Disability Management COR- After achieving the Occupational Health and Safety COR, this certificate recognizes employers for proactive return-to-work programs. The financial reward is an additional two percent rebate off their premium.

Performance Management- Employers who obtain both of the above certificates will automatically be enrolled in this program. It provides an additional rebate of up to eight percent if employers reach performance targets reflecting a significant improvement in their overall performance and safety record.

Employers can voluntarily participate in the Partners Program through the CSABC.
Disability Management COR and Performance Management are under development and will be launched in 2007. Details will be released as they are known.

The CSABC is a non-profit society governed by a Board of Directors drawn from a variety of BC construction companies. For more information about CSABC and the Safety STAR COR program, including the financial incentives that are available, please contact CSABC Project Coordinator Cathy Lange at 604-315-3722. Or visit the website at www.csabc.ca.