WorkSafeBC announces flat average premium rate for 2012

Organization projects increases to the average base rate in 2013

The average base premium rate for registered employers in British Columbia will remain unchanged from 2011, WorkSafeBC announced.

The 2012 average published base rate will be $1.54 per $100 of employers’ assessable payroll. WorkSafeBC’s average published base rate for 2008 through 2010 was $1.56.

The average published base rate is a composite of rates in 67 individual rate groups, or insurance pools, which are compilations of various classification units. Insurance premium rates for B.C.’s 206,000 employers are based on the claims cost (or safety) history of their industry and of similar employers and are further adjusted based on individual performance.

For 2012, 53 per cent of employers will experience a base rate decrease, eight per cent of employers will have their base rate remain unchanged and 39 per cent of employers will have a base rate increase.

WorkSafeBC projects a deficit at the end of 2011 and modest increases to the average base rate starting in 2013.

Industries with base rate decreases

Rate decreases are projected for the following industries: municipalities, public schools, fishing, ranching, log hauling, real estate, steep- and low-slope roofing, retail art galleries, movie theatres, bingo halls, telephone and cable services, ferry services, heavy equipment manufacturing, general retail, private schools, greenhouses, wineries, couriers, auto servicing, dentists, optometrists, most health care services, orchards and berry farming, coffee shops, wood mills, libraries, garbage removal services, recycling depots, public art galleries and construction management consulting.

Industries with base rates remaining the same

Most accommodation services, finishing carpentry, supermarkets, butcher shops, colleges, law and notary public offices, travel agencies, insurance, accounting, business and computer consulting services, restaurants, taxis and general trucking will see their rates virtually unchanged or will incur modest rate changes.

Industries with base rate increases

Industries whose rates are projected to increase include: movie and television production and post production, television or radio broadcasting, ski hills, retail bakeries, animal boarding, airports, flooring stores, farm labour supply services, dump truck operations, campgrounds, liquor stores, residential framing, most waterfront operations, sawmills, construction labour supply, log-home construction, helicopter services, log towing, house construction, unions, residential tree services, casinos, manual tree falling and grain, hay, white-mushroom and vegetable farming.

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