FAQ
When should incidents and injuries be reported?
It is no longer mandatory that all workplace incidents be reported to YWCHSB.
If your injury on the job did not cause you to lose any work time, other than the day of the injury and you did not require medical attention off the worksite, it is not necessary for you to file a Report of Injury/Illness with the YWCHSB.
If you do have a workplace incident it is important to fill out a Worker Incident Report. You and your supervisor should keep copies of this report. Supervisors also need to fill out the Supervisor Incident Report. This information helps with taking corrective actions so that similiar incidents do not occur.
If you need first aid on the job site, record details of the incident in your deparment's First Aid book.
If your injury develops into a more serious condition, documentation from the Incident Report or the department's First Aid book will be used by YWCHSB to assess potential compensation.
If you need medical attention off the worksite, or if you lose work time beyond the day of your injury, you must file a Report of Injury/Illness with the YWCHSB.
As soon as an Employer learns an employee has sought medical help for a work-related injury or illness, the employer must fill out the Employer's Report of Injury/Illness and send it to the YWCHSB within three working days.
Employers must immediately report all serious incidents involving serious injuries and illnesses to the Occupational Health and Safety branch. Reports can be made by telephone to the 24-hour Incident Report Line at (867) 667-5450.
Examples of serious injuries: Any injury causing death, paralysis, amputation, fracture of a major bone, loss of sight, internal bleeding, third degree burns, dysfunction (e.g. unconsciousness) due to concussion, electrical contact, lack of oxygen or poisoning.
Examples of serious incidents: Uncontrolled explosions; failure of hoist equipment; collapse or upset of a crane; collapse or failure of a load-bearing structure; inrush of water, fire or explosion in an underground working; collapse or cave-in of a trench, excavation wall, underground working or stockpile; accidental release of a controlled product; any "close calls" -- incidents that likely would have caused serious injury but did not because of safety precautions, rescue measures or chance.
A worker should report an injury or an incident promptly to their supervisor and report within 12 months to the YWCHSB.
How soon after hiring a worker does an employer have to register with the YWCHSB?
Within 10 days. The employer must register and establish an account whether workers are employed on a regular, casual or contract basis.
What determines an employer's assessment rate?
The assessment unit assigns an industry code to each employer. These codes place employers with a similar type of operation, hazard or accident experience record together.
Rates for each industry are set annually by the Board. An employer pays an assessment based on payroll figures. The minimum assessment for all or part of the year is $150.00.
Can a sole proprietor (independent operator) choose to be covered by Workers' Compensation?
Optional coverage is available. A sole proprietor must apply, in writing, to the assessment unit who will review the application. Once the YWCHSB approves coverage, an account will be opened.
Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board
