For Your Information:

Workplace Health and Safety in Manitoba

Manitoba has one of the highest rates of workplace accidents and injury in the country.On average, 875 Manitobans are hurt on the job every week. That's an average of 125 people injured each day, or one every 12 minutes. In 1999, there were close to 46,000 reported workplace accidents or illnesses. The estimated cost of these injuries to the Manitoba economy is in the range of $200 million to $800 million.

The highest injury rate is in the manufacturing industry, followed by construction, transportation and then healthcare. As well, the injury rate of the service sector is growing steadily. The injury rate amongst young workers (18-29) is the highest and is also growing the fastest.

In 1999, 23 workers in covered industries (covered by the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba) died as a result of workplace accidents or illness.

74 percent of Manitoba businesses are not required by law to have either a workplace safety and health committee or representative because they employ fewer than 10 workers.

The number of reported accidents has been increasing since 1993 and is expected to increase by 7.5 percent over the next five years. Of the covered labour force, those in the highest risk industry sectors - manufacturing and construction - are increasing at the fastest rate and are projected to increase by 10 percent and 6 percent respectively.