WorkSafeNB is pleased to announce the release of its 2022 Annual Report, highlighting a year filled with notable achievements. With a continued focus on Making New Brunswick the safest place to work, the organization proudly maintains the lowest injury frequency in over a decade.
Tim Petersen, president and CEO of WorkSafeNB, was extremely satisfied with 2022’s accomplishments. “Looking back on the year, we have a lot to celebrate” he said. “All our key performance indicators trended positively. Most importantly, our injury frequency remained stable at 1.2, with fewer people getting hurt at work in our province than at any point in the last decade.”
Petersen also commended WorkSafeNB's strong return-to-work results and the organization's dedication to preventing workplace disability. In 2022, the average time for open claims decreased for the first time in more than 10 years, and the percentage of workers back to work at 90 days has risen by 5% in just two years.
“By adopting modernized approaches to supporting workers in their recovery, we are making a tangible difference in their lives and in their recovery." These new approaches include introducing sector-specific case management, launching an early intervention team, enhanced stay-at-work support, new programs and offerings for complex injuries such as traumatic psychological injuries, and a focus on care closer to home.
Among other highlights of the year, WorkSafeNB saw a significant jump in employee engagement, maintained steady client satisfaction, and experienced strong financial results.
Financial stability is crucial to provide meaningful benefits to workers while keeping costs reasonable for employers. WorkSafeNB proudly reports a 2022 funding level of 148, surpassing the board's target range of 115%-125%. Furthermore, the organization achieved a remarkable 22% decrease in the average assessment, now sitting at $1.31, the lowest average rate in Atlantic Canada.
WorkSafeNB’s positive outcomes were further bolstered by an ambitious modernization program and supported by our new 2022-2024 Strategic Plan, Linked Together for our Future, outlining three focus areas – People, Prevention, and Integrity.
“On behalf of the board of directors, I thank WorkSafeNB’s exceptional employees who consistently go above and beyond to ensure the safety and well-being of New Brunswick's workers and their families,” said Mel Norton, WorkSafeNB’s chairperson. “We also want to thank our stakeholders for their ongoing engagement in policy development and legislative reviews, and their valuable contributions to building a safer, healthier, and more prosperous future for all New Brunswickers.”
For more details on WorkSafeNB's strategic initiatives and inspiring stories behind the numbers, access the full 2022 Annual Report and Financial Statements.