Workers’ compensation rates for trucking industry to increase 2% in 2012

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TORONTO, Ont. — The Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has announced that workers’ compensation premiums for the trucking industry will increase by 2% in 2012. Rates jumped by 11.1% in 2011.

Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) says the decision is a positive indication that its lobbying efforts – including urging the WSIB to do a better job of cost control instead of increasing payroll taxes on employers – may be working.

“Any increase in these economic times is unwelcome and while a 2% is better than the double-digit increase of last year, it is not clear what the long-term performance or burden of the WSIB will be,” said Ontario Trucking Association president David Bradley.

The 2012 rate will be the last ad hoc premium rate setting before the Funding Review is completed and a new rate setting model is implemented, according to officials.

Last year, OTA went so far as to suggest that the “deal” between employers and the Government of Ontario that led to the establishment of the provincial workers’ compensation program a century ago was no longer working or valid and that private options needed to be considered.

In 2012, the General Trucking (rate group 570) rate will increase from $6.43 to $6.56, the Courier Services (rate group 577) rate will increase from $2.89 to $2.95 and the Warehousing (rate group 560) rate will increase from $3.28 to $3.35.

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  • I have been trying to get my WSIB Claim reinstated since May 2011. I am in my first Appeal. I fell off the top of B Trains in 1998. In 2007 I was a Driver of Over Dimension Trucking & Neared Killed myself & another Trucker, because I was Driving while On Pain Killers(Oxi Contin)Driving for Dinsmore Trucking.I Rolled 2 Loads of Hydro Polls. I have since had a Suicide attempt because of trying to Quit this Drug Cold Turkey. Had my AZ Licence Reduced to DZ. I have been Drug Free since March 2007 & have devoted my Time & what little Money I have to Inventing a way to Tarp Loads without climbing on top of loaded Trailers. I have succeeded in Inventing this Idea. WSIB told me to Contact “Infrastructure Health & Safety Association”, (Funded by WSIB) to show them my Invention. I met with them in December 2011 & discussed my Invention & let them know that, We the Truckers don’t have the Luxury Of Fall Protection, because we are usually Tarping our Loads in a Field of Mud. I also while I had their attention. Some other Safety Concerns of Truckers.
    Like “Paid by the Mile” & longer Hours of Driving, Due to 105 Speed Limits.
    Thank You for the Opportunity to Tell Trucking My Safety Concerns.

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