Construction sees WSIB premiums drop 2.1% for ‘23
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is holding steady on average premium rates for employers across the province in 2023, while construction employers will see their average rates drop by 2.1 percent starting in January.
WSIB announced its planned premiums for next year on October 20. The average premium rate for all Ontario businesses will remain steady for 2023 at $1.30 for every $100 of insurable payroll.
“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,” said board president and CEO Jeffery Lang. “I am very proud that we are able to hold premium rates to a 20-year low.”
The news for construction employers is particularly positive. The industry has seen its average premiums drop by more than 60 percent since 2016.
On a conference call announcing the premiums, Lang indicated the industry has made particularly good progress on reducing workplace injuries. About 95 percent of construction employers will see their employer premiums go down in 2023, which should collectively save the industry about $16 million.
“The construction sector is being acknowledged for the great work they’ve been doing in reducing injuries,” he said.
Under WSIB’s new premium model, construction employers belong to any of six groups. Rate changes in each are as follows:
- G1 – Residential Building Construction: $2.63 (2022) to $2.47 (2023)
- G2 – Infrastructure Construction: $2.12 (2022) to $1.81 (2023)
- G3 – Foundation, Structure and Building Exterior Construction: $4.12 (2022) to $3.60 (2023)
- G4 – Building Equipment Construction: $1.70 (2022) to $1.50 (2023)
- G5 – Specialty Trades Construction: $2.36 (2022) to $2.16 (2023)
- G6 – Non-residential Building Construction: $1.79 (2022) to $1.55 (2023)
The WSIB says the decision to freeze rates for 2023 builds on the support it has provided businesses during the pandemic, including the first-ever surplus rebate for safe businesses earlier this year. That rebate resulted in more than $1.2 billion injected back into Ontario’s economy.
“Our government is driving generational change at the WSIB to deliver for people injured at work while also keeping costs low for Ontario businesses,” said Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development 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.”
Earlier this fall, the WSIB announced it had extended larger rebates for those small businesses enrolled in the Health and Safety Excellence program. Rebates double for every topic completed, while employers will also earn plus $1,000 toward 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,” said 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.”
Companies will be able to access their individual 2023 premium rate statements on the WSIB’s website starting November 1. Paper copies will be mailed later in the month.