Yukon Workers' Safety and Compensation Board confirms 1 workplace fatality in 2023

The Yukon Workers' Safety and Compensation Board (WSCB) confirmedthis week that one worker died on the job in Yukon in 2023.

The board's 2023 annual report, released inMay, cited zero workplace fatalities that year. However, the board confirmed at its annual meeting this week in Whitehorse that there had actually been one worker killed on the job in Yukon last year.

Kurt Dieckmann, president and CEO of the WSCB,said sometimes there is a delayin reportingwhen a death must be confirmed as work-related.

No further details were given about the incident or the worker who died.

Assessment rates going down

Also at Wednesday's meeting, the board said it's lowering assessment rates because of itsstrong financial position.

The board also said this week that $10 million in rebates would be distributed amongeligible employers.

Every employer who hires workers in the Yukon is legally obligated to register with the WSCB and pay assessment premiums. These are the rates being reduced for 2025.

Members contribute to a compensation fund which is managed by investors andcovers the expenses associated withinjured workers, through accepted claims.

At its annualinformation meeting in Whitehorse on Wednesday, the boardannounced a strategic plan for 2025-2029, and rate reductions for the more than 4,000 registered employers.

According to the board, there were 687 claims accepted in 2023, compared to 785 the year before.

Dieckmannalso noted there hasbeen a decrease in physical workplace injuries in Yukon the past eight years but an increase in psychological injuries.

"Now is not the time for complacency [about worker safety]," Dieckmann said.