Coverage

Workers Compensation Board of Prince Edward Island

Coverage

On Prince Edward Island, most industries are required by law to have coverage under the provincial compensation system.

As an employer, you are also responsible for confirming the contractors and subcontractors you hire have coverage, also known as clearance, with the WCB.

The Workers Compensation Act General Regulations describes the industries and employers that are not covered under the Act. If you are one of these employers, you may choose to be covered.

Employers in excluded industries can apply for Optional Coverage.
Proprietors and partners of a non-incorporated business, owners and directors of a corporation and independent operators can apply for Personal Coverage.

Optional Coverage

If you are an employer in an industry not covered by the Act, you can apply for Optional Coverage. Simply register with the WCB using WCB Online Services or submit an Employer Registration Form.

If you would like more information about Optional Coverage, please contact us.
(back to top)

Personal Coverage

Personal Coverage is voluntary, and as a proprietor or partner of a non-incorporated business, owner or director of a corporation or an independent operator, you may apply for coverage.

You can apply for Personal Coverage by completing a Personal Coverage Application. If you believe you are an independent operator, you must also complete an Independent Operator Checklist.

To find out if Personal Coverage is right for you, please review our Personal Coverage Frequently Asked Questions.

If you would like more information abour Personal Coverage, please contact us.
(back to top)

Clearances for Contractors and Subcontractors

As an employer, it is in your best interest to request a clearance letter from the WCB whenever you hire contractors or subcontractors who have workers. The clearance letter confirms that the contractor's account with the WCB is in good standing.

Clearance ensures that the employer is protected and that all employers carry their fair share of the cost of the compensation system. Without clearance, as an employer, you may be liable for your contractors or subcontractors assessments if they have not paid assessments for their workers.

Obtaining a clearance letter for your contractors and subcontractors can be done in two ways:

Electronically, any time and anywhere you have access to the Internet, with the WCB's Online Services.
By requesting clearance through WCB Employers Services. Simply contact us.

(back to top)

More information about coverage and clearance can be found in the Information for Employers booklet and in the WCB employer services policies.

If you have any questions, or would like a copy of a form or publication, please contact us.

November 07, 2022

WCB announces rates, surplus and pursuit of benefit enhancements

The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) of PEI is pleased to announce a 4.2% reduction of its estimated average assessment rate for Islander employers for 2023. This brings the 2023 rate to $1.37, down from $1.43 in 2022. Assessment rates are set annually by the WCB Board of Directors and are calculated per $100 of assessable payroll. As of January 1, 2023, the maximum assessable earnings (MAE) will be $65,000. The MAE is the maximum amount of earnings an employer would pay premiums on per worker. Based on the funding status as of December 31, 2021, the Board of Directors also approved a $22 million surplus distribution to employers. The surplus comes as a result of investment returns which fluctuate from year to year. Surplus distribution is considered on a yearly basis by the Board of Directors. “The WCB is proud to contribute to the fair compensation of injured workers while balancing financial sustainability for employers,” said Jim MacPhee, Chair of the Workers Compensation Board. “It is with this balance in mind - the needs of workers and employers - that while rates are decreasing, we are also pursuing legislative changes this fall that would enhance benefits for injured workers and their families.” The rate reduction is made possible by strong investment returns in 2021, growth in the Island’s assessable payroll, a focus on injury prevention and return to work efforts and generally, a funding policy which focuses on sustainability and minimizing volatility. The strong funded position of the WCB creates the opportunity to pursue benefit enhancements while continuing the trend of reduced employer assessment rates. All Island employers will be advised of their individual assessment rates in December 2022. These rates are based on the cost of claims, the risks of workplace injury in their specific industries and the assessment rates by industry group. For more information on rate assessments by industry groups, please visit http://wcb.pe.ca/2023rates The surplus will be distributed to eligible employers in December 2022. For more information on the most frequently asked questions related to the surplus, please visit http://www.wcb.pe.ca/surplus Benefit enhancements put forward by the WCB include a variety of measures meant to alleviate the financial impacts of injuries and fatalities on Islander workers and their families. The proposed enhancements are currently being considered by the Legislative Assembly of PEI. For more information on benefit enhancement, please visit https://bit.ly/3fKpRNe Aussi disponible en français. -30-

October 21, 2022

Asbestos management requires specific safety measures

As the post-tropical storm Fiona clean up continues, the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) reminds employers and workers that they are required to follow the specific safety measures related to asbestos management. Asbestos is a strong, fire-resistant mineral fibre. While asbestos is no longer used in residential and commercial building construction, it can still be found when renovating, restoring and demolishing older buildings. In Prince Edward Island, Occupational Health and Safety regulations require asbestos to be identified and abated in a safe manner whenever renovation, restoration or a demolition project is undertaken. This work needs to be performed by a qualified asbestos abatement contractor, after having obtained an Asbestos Notification Permit from the Occupational Health and Safety Division of the WCB. These regulations apply to Island based and non-Island based companies when the work is being conducted in PEI. “Asbestos is dangerous because when it is released in the air without appropriate precautions, it can be inhaled. Once inhaled, it can cause inflammation in the lungs, scar tissue and escalate into more serious and long-term health issues,” said Danny Miller, Director of Occupational Health and Safety. “The WCB supports employers and workers by providing up-to-date information on asbestos management and useful resources which can be found on our website.” The WCB would also like to remind all Islanders that urgent workplace health and safety matters can be reported anytime by calling its Occupational Health and Safety emergency line at 902-628-7513. This emergency line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including during statutory holidays. WCB ASBESTOS RESOURCES Asbestos Management Guide: http://www.wcb.pe.ca/DocumentManagement/Document/pub_guidetoasbestosmanagement.pdf Asbestos Prevention Update: http://www.wcb.pe.ca/DocumentManagement/Document/pub_asbestoshazardspreventionupdate.pdf Asbestos Notification Permit: http://www.wcb.pe.ca/DocumentManagement/Document/frm_asbestosnotificationpermit.pdf List of Occupational Health and Safety Providers: http://www.wcb.pe.ca/DocumentManagement/Document/pub_ohsserviceproviders.pdf Aussi disponible en français.

View All