55% of Workplace Injuries Happen to First-Year Workers — My New Employee’s WCB Claim Exposed Costly Gaps in My Safety Program
Subtitle:
My first-year worker had an injury that revealed significant costs due to my lack of WCB and Return-to-Work processes.
The Statistic That Pointed Out Areas that need attention
I didn’t know it at the time, but 55% of all workplace injuries happen to first-year workers — a statistic published by the Alberta Construction Safety Association (ACSA)
Link: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/30/3071714/0/en/ACSA-unites-the-construction-industry-to-protect-first-year-workers.html (April 30, 2025)
I learned this the hard way — when my new employee was injured, and the WCB claim that followed cost my business far more than I ever expected. It wasn’t the injury that caused most of the damage… it was everything I didn’t know about WCB, safety obligations, documentation, and Return-to-Work (RTW).
What I’m sharing here is a cautionary story, but also a practical guide — because if it happened to me, it can happen to anyone.
The Incident: When My First-Year Worker Was Injured
My worker had only been with us for a few months. Good attitude. Eager. Still learning.
One day, he strained his back while lifting materials — a task he had technically been oriented for, but clearly not well enough. I reported the injury to WCB as required, but because I didn’t understand the deeper process, the small injury quickly snowballed into a high-cost claim.
Here’s what went wrong:
1. I didn’t provide clear modified-duty options
Without a proper modified-work or RTW plan, WCB had no choice but to keep him off work.
2. I didn’t document the safety training properly
WCB asked whether he had been trained. I said yes.
They said: “Can you provide documentation?”
I had nothing formal to prove it.
3. I didn’t understand how claim duration affects my premiums
Every week he was off — even though he felt fine after a while — added to the total claim costs, which directly increased my premiums.
4. I didn’t know about Occupational Injury Service (OIS)
This program provides same-day access to physiotherapy and injury care.
Had I used it, this claim could have been much shorter.
5. My legal OHS obligations were also tied to claim outcomes
I thought the injury itself was the cost.
I was wrong. I didn’t realize that I could also get a fine from OHS. If you can believe it, it was up to $500K for a first offense! That would cause a serious burden to my business.
The Financial Impact No One Warned Me About
Because I handled the claim incorrectly, here’s what happened:
- Lost productivity: I had to replace the worker temporarily.
- Higher WCB premiums: Our experience rating jumped.
- Administrative time: Countless hours spent answering WCB questions.
- Corrective actions: We needed new documentation, forms, and safety processes.
- Required training: Mandatory refreshers after the incident.
- Possible OHS fine: If found in non-compliance with legislation.
I realized:
Injuries can be costly —I had unnecessary costs from mismanaging the claim.
First-year workers are the most vulnerable because they lack:
- familiarity
- hazard recognition skills
- confidence in asking questions
- full knowledge of procedures
- real-world experience with job tasks
I realized that my onboarding, orientation, and supervision for my new employee was inadequate.
According to WCB, to lower my premiums I should implement:
- early reporting
- modified-work programs
- strong safety systems (OHS compliance)
- COR-level structure
- proper documentation
- employer education and supervision
These aren’t just “nice to have.”
They directly influenced my WCB costs.
If you’re reading this and realizing your company might have gaps — you’re not alone.
I learned the hard way that even one injury can expose weaknesses in training, documentation, supervision, or claims management.
These systems are not “extra paperwork.”
They’re what protect your people — and your business.
If you want support with:
- WCB claims management
- Return-to-Work planning
- new worker onboarding
- COR preparation
- OHS compliance
- safety program structure
- incident investigation
- reducing claims costs and premiums
Safety Ahead assists companies in the implementation of comprehensive safety systems I wish I had before my employee got hurt.