WSIB doubles rebates for small employers in Ontario who are investing in health and safety

Jeffrey Lang, president and CEO, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is providing smaller businesses in Ontario with up to 99 full-time employees more time to take advantage of added incentives to make their workplaces safer, while boosting their bottom line.

The benefits for smaller businesses through the WSIB’s Health and Safety Excellence program, first announced in June 2022, are now available through 2023, meaning businesses can:

• earn double the rebates in both 2022 and 2023
• receive $1,000 towards their health and safety plan in both 2022 and 2023

“Joining our Health and Safety Excellence program and receiving the added benefits is a no-brainer for many smaller businesses,” said Jeffery Lang, president and CEO of the WSIB.

“We know smaller businesses are still recovering from the pandemic, so it’s a crucial time for us to double up on our support and incentives. Every business that invests in health and safety means fewer injuries in the long run.”

How it works

The Health and Safety Excellence program connects Ontario businesses with approved providers in their industry or community who help design a plan based on 36 available health and safety topics.

For each topic completed, businesses can earn a rebate on their WSIB premiums. Since its inception in 2020, the program has distributed more than $25 million in rebates. Smaller business enrollment in the Health and Safety Excellence program has increased by 60 per cent since the additional benefits were first announced in June 2022.

“The WSIB’s Health and Safety Excellence program reinforces that improving safety in the workplace is not just good practice, it’s good for business,” said Rocco Rossi, president and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “We’re pleased that the WSIB is continuing to offer double rebates into 2023 as it will incentivize many of our smaller business members to continue to invest in their workplace safety and improve their safety culture while saving money on premiums.”

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) applauded the move by WSIB.

“This is especially important coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, as 60 per cent of Ontario’s small businesses still aren’t back to normal revenue levels,” said Ryan Mallough, vice-president, Legislative Affairs (Ontario) at CFIB.

More information

Businesses can visit wsib.ca/healthandsafety to learn more about the Health and Safety Excellence program and how to start improving their workplace safety today.

“We want smaller businesses to know that we’re here for them and dedicated to helping them make their workplaces safer,” said Rod Cook, vice-pesident of Workplace Health and Safety Services at the WSIB.