Health & Safety Excellence Program

It is a voluntary, incentive program that connects businesses of all sizes with WSIB-approved providers (EMC) to improve the health and safety of their workplaces.

• Successful validation of one or more topics
• Compliance with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act - an employer ‘charged’ under WSIA must wait two years (Limitations Act of Ontario) from the date of the charge to the date of the compliance check, before they are eligible for a rebate. During this period, the employer can still join or remain in the Excellence program but would not receive a rebate. The WSIB reserves the right to consider other compliance factors such as the severity and frequency of non-compliance issues to determine rebate eligibility.
• Must reconcile any balances owing to the WSIB prior to receiving any WSIB rebates
• A business experiencing an allowed traumatic fatality from the date their action plan was approved to the date the rebate is issued will be disqualified from earning a rebate. A business waiting on a decision regarding a workplace fatality is ineligible for any rebate compensation until a decision regarding the fatality is determined.

Businesses that successfully demonstrate the implementation of 1 to 5 Health and Safety topics can receive a rebate on their WSIB premiums.  In addition, your business should experience a reduction in claim costs, which will improve your premium rate with the WSIB.

• Improved workplace morale and more productive workers
• Reduced risks of workplace hazards
• Reduction in injuries, absenteeism and property damage
• Be prepared for potential MLTSD workplace inspections
• Legal compliance
• Peace of mind
• Worker retention
• Flexible timelines allow employers to work at their own pace
• Flexible entry points; employers choose where they start in the program, not necessarily at level 1
• Earn rebates and lower your premiums
• Improve your health and safety experience
• Gain access to a team of leading Health and Safety experts
• Receive exclusive access to EMC member resources
• Build a well-crafted and functional Health and Safety program
• Network with other Health and Safety professionals in your industry
• The WSIB Health and Safety Excellence program provides the building blocks for businesses that want to seek MLTSD accreditation by providing a seamless roadmap to excellence

The recognition is 1.4% or 2% per topic based on your predictability of your reported annual WSIB premiums.  To find out what your WSIB premiums are and your predictability visit the WSIB Compass on-line services. Under your Dashboard  Note:  Predictability is the degree to which a business’s claims experience and insurable earnings can impact their premium rate.

Businesses that successfully implement 1 to 5 Health and Safety topics are eligible for rebates of 1.4% to 10% on your WSIB premium.  The amount of the rebate is based on your predictability rate*. The WSIB issues rebates four times per year which means you do not need to complete all selected topics at the same time to receive your rebates.

* visit the WSIB Compass on-line services to find your predictability rate. Under your Dashboard  Note:  Predictability, as determined by the WSIB, is the degree to which a business’s claims experience and insurable earnings can impact their premium rate.

There is a minimum rebate of $1000 per topic, up to 75% of the employers’ annual premiums.

An Excellence program badge for participation, recognition for each topic and level completed, and the number of years in the program will be visible in Safety Check.  Digital badges can also be used to market your participation in the program with internal and external stakeholders.

• Professional Health & Safety Consultants to guide and assist your efforts
• Online resources including templates, communication portal and training modules
• Program documentation review to ensure your success
• On-site validation to provide coaching and guidance
• Members’ community website with a wealth of resources, tools and templates.