By Tyler Marr

Uptick in Saskatchewan workplace fatalities in 2018 ‘shocking and disturbing’

Oct 12, 2018 | 5:00 PM

In the first eight months of 2018, 37 people died on the job in Saskatchewan, a steep increase over the number of workplace fatalities in 2017 and a count already on par with the 15-year average.

Last year, according to the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB), the province saw just 27 workplace deaths, the lowest in a decade and a half. 

Saskatchewan WCB CEO Peter Federko said it is “shocking and disturbing” and “certainly alarming” to see the developments this year, adding the board is somewhat “puzzled why these continue to haunt us.”

In a media release, the WCB said the leading cause of workplace deaths in 2018 are occupational diseases, like exposure, and motor vehicle-related incidents, including aircraft. Six deaths from April’s Humboldt Broncos bus collision are included in the count, but Federko said even removing those numbers; “if we straight line [the trend] to the end of the year, we are looking at over 40.”

Asked what could be contributing to the spike in deaths, Federko listed off things like failing to use safety equipment, a lack of training or poor weather, but said the root cause remains a mystery. He said the WCB is partnering with external agencies, like the universities in both Saskatoon and Regina, to pin down a cause to assist the agency in implementing a meaningful prevention strategy.

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“Looking at overall injury statistics, we have seen a dramatic decrease in our total number of claims,” he said. “But unfortunately, fatalities remain stubbornly high.”

He said the WCB is becoming more aggressive in terms of finding the information that will allow the agency to determine the cause of fatalities but said it is going to take the entire leadership of Saskatchewan’s business community to turn the statistics around. 

Even for companies not directly impacted by a death, there are far-reaching impacts across the business community from an uptick in fatalities, with Federko making note of emotional and psychological impacts alongside financial repercussions, too.

“All employers, to a certain extent, take responsibility for each other’s costs, just like you and I would insuring our homes or vehicles,” he said. “We are in risk pools with other homeowners and car owners and we share the risk of those claim costs together.”

When compensation for workplace deaths reach a certain threshold, he said all industries in the insurance pool are forced to bear the costs.

Federko said the Mission Zero campaign, which has been heavily marketed since 2008 by the WCB, has had a positive impact in reducing workplace injuries in the province. However, he maintains getting to that point will take the entire province pulling together.

“There is no acceptable number of injuries and fatalities,” he said.

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr