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Welcome to WorkSafeNB's monthly E-News. Look here for important health and safety news and trends that can affect your workplace. Please stay informed, healthy and safe. Together, we’ll make New Brunswick the safest place to work!
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| WorkSafeNB announces first-ever performance refund and record-low assessment rates |
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For the first time ever, WorkSafeNB is issuing performance refund cheques to eligible employers in New Brunswick. WorkSafeNB's board of directors has approved a $180.6 million performance refund for 2024. The performance refund is possible because of WorkSafeNB’s strong funded position, which was 156.1% as of December 31, 2023, well above the target range of 115-125%. Our strong funded position is primarily due to the collective efforts of employers, workers, and WorkSafeNB, which have contributed to better-than-expected performance related to injury frequency and return to work outcomes, as well as strong investment returns.
The 2025 average assessment rate was also decreased to $1.10, down from $1.18 in 2024, marking the lowest rate in New Brunswick’s history.
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| Learn about our milestones and WorkSafeNB's future outlook |
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Last year, both WorkSafeNB and our province’s workplaces reached significant milestones. Review WorkSafeNB’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) to learn more about these achievements, current projects, trends, our future outlook and improving assessment rates.
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Photo: Tim Petersen (WorkSafeNB), Darrel Nickerson (J.D. Irving, Limited), Ian Leavitt (NB Power), Mary Ann Gallagher (J. Smith Excavating) and Kirk White (Simpson Building Contractors, Ltd.).
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| Congratulations 2024 Safety Stars! |
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WorkSafeNB relies on the support and leadership of New Brunswick individuals and organizations to ensure healthy and safe workplaces in our province. That’s why each year we recognize outstanding efforts of health and safety leaders through our Safety Star Awards.
Four awards were presented to leaders who excel in workplace safety at WorkSafeNB’s annual Health and Safety Conference in Fredericton on Friday, Oct. 4.
The 2024 Safety Star recipients are:
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Do you know an organization or individual that’s passionate about safety? Do they stand apart from the crowd? Do they set an example to others? Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Safety Star Awards:
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| Celebrating Small Business Week: A Message from WorkSafeNB |
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Small businesses are the heart of our province, driving innovation, creating jobs and contributing to the unique culture of our region. With 26,000 small businesses in New Brunswick providing employment to nearly 225,000 workers, we recognize the critical role they play in New Brunswick’s economy and our communities. We're committed to being a reliable partner to them, providing the tools, knowledge and support to make every workplace safe.
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| New Employee Orientation Guide |
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New Brunswick’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS) Act requires employers to provide all new employees with health and safety orientation before they begin work. The New Employee Orientation Guide leads employers through eight must-include topics.
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| Start with safety – your responsibilities |
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Small businesses thrive when employees are safe and healthy. Every New Brunswick employer must meet minimum health and safety requirements. Determine yours by starting with the number of people you regularly employ.
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| Free health and safety consultation services |
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We offer free consultation services to help small businesses navigate the complexities of workplace safety. Our team of safety experts works directly with business owners to assess their specific needs and challenges, providing personalized advice and solutions.
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| Return-to-Work Support: Working to Well |
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Injuries can have a significant impact on both employees and small businesses. Our Working to Well program offers step-by-step guides and resources that allow business owners to develop customized return-to-work plans that fit their specific circumstances.
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| Protect your team from respirable silica |
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As a main component in sand, rock and concrete, silica is among the most common health hazards New Brunswick’s workers are facing. To help mitigate the risk, WorkSafeNB and the New Brunswick Construction Safety Association (with support from BC Construction Safety Alliance), have released the Silica Control Tool.
Available to all New Brunswick employers, the tool allows you to anticipate exposures for a specific task, select appropriate controls, and establish an Exposure Control Plan detailing personal protective equipment required – all without the need for elaborate and costly sampling.
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| Slips, trips and falls. They hurt! |
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Most slips, trips and falls happen on the same level. There are three major causes of slips, trips and falls at the same level:
- Floor and ground contaminants
- Floor and ground conditions/design
- Unsafe acts (behaviour)
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| Guardrails |
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Guardrails help protect employees from falls. They can be used not only along the open edges of floors and roofs but also on formworks, scaffolds and other working surfaces. Guardrails should be installed as close to the open edge as possible and must be able to withstand whatever loads applied against them.
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| Fall protection |
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Injuries from falls can be prevented with proper precautions, equipment and training. The best forms of fall-protection systems include guardrails (passive system) and travel restraint (active system). As a result, the regulation requires employers to first consider these systems ahead of others.
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| New Brunswick’s Guide to OHS Legislation app welcomes three new topics! |
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The WorkSafeNB Guide to OHS Legislation has been updated to include three new topics: Explosives, Non-Ionizing Radiation including Lasers and X-Ray Safety. Additionally, new resources have been added to several existing topics. The following topics have also been updated: Scaffolding, Noise (now renamed as Noise and Hearing Conservation Program) and Respiratory Protection.
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| Work safely around heavy equipment |
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While heavy equipment (including powered mobile equipment, elevating work platform and lift trucks) can be a valuable tool on a construction site, can pose a risk to nearby employees, traffic or pedestrians — especially if the operator can't see them.
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| Do you know what to do if a crew member falls overboard? |
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WorkSafeNB held overboard rescue demonstrations in Grand Manan and Back Bay on October 21 and 22, to teach fish harvesters life-saving techniques should a crew member fall overboard. Fish harvesters and family members, as well as representatives of fishing
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associations attended the demonstrations. While the legislation was enacted on December 4, 2022, WorkSafeNB did not begin to monitor compliance until June 1, 2024, to allow time for the industry to get familiar with their responsibilities and make necessary adjustments to vessels and equipment.
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| Take Our Kids to Work Day 2024 |
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On Nov. 6, Grade 9 students across New Brunswick will take part in Take Our Kids to Work Day. This day is an opportunity to kick-start the safety conversation. Together, let’s prioritize young workers and the important role they have in making New Brunswick the safest place to work.
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| Get ready for Radon Action and Lung Cancer Awareness Month |
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November is Radon Action Month, as well as Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and WorkSafeNB is joining the effort to spread the word about the dangers of radon exposure.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can build up in homes and workplaces, leading to an increased risk of lung cancer. Testing is the only way to know if you're at risk, and this November, we’ll be sharing tips and resources to help raise awareness. Check our website and social media channels throughout the month to learn more.
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| Happy Halloween from all of us at WorkSafeNB! |
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If you're out driving tonight, keep an eye out for trick-or-treaters. Have a spooktacular and safe evening, everyone!
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| Connect with us on social media |
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Don't miss an update! Follow WorkSafeNB on social media to stay current on workplace health and safety news, tips, trends, events, contests and more.
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| In the courts |
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WorkSafeNB's health and safety officers and occupational hygienists are given legislative authority to write orders under the OHS Act, to improve safety and prevent workplace injuries in New Brunswick.
When these orders are not complied with, or when an incident has taken place as a result of a violation of the Act and/or its regulations, WorkSafeNB may recommend charges to the Department of Justice.
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| Stay current on workplace health and safety news. Visit worksafenb.ca regularly and join us on social media. |
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Stay current on workplace health and safety news.
Visit worksafenb.ca regularly and join us on social media.
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