Workers' compensation boards (WCB) and commissions across Canada collect information about accepted time-loss injuries.
The Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) publish accepted time-loss injuries and fatality reports under the National Work Injuries Statistics Program (NWISP) according to the following categories:
The publication can be ordered online from NWISP.
The NWISP database contains information about work-related illnesses and diseases as well as injuries.
Summary data by province/jurisdiction are available free of charge for the number of accepted time-loss injuries (1982-2015) and the number of fatalities (1993-2015) on the AWCBC web page NWISP statistics.
Before March 1996, Statistics Canada managed the National Work Injuries Statistics Program and collected data from all the WCBs and commissions. NWISP summarized the information on all the time-loss injuries and diseases that were accepted by the boards and commissions and prepared reports that were published by under the titles Work Injuries 1992-1994, Work Injuries 1991-1993, etc. (Catalogue 72-208, Statistics Canada).
After March 1996, the AWCBC assumed the responsibility for the National Work Injuries Statistics Program.
The AWCBC produces an annual publication that contains statistical data on the Number of Accepted Time-Loss Injuries and Diseases, and the Number of Fatalities for each of the twelve Canadian workers' compensation jurisdictions. A total for Canada is also shown for each category.
Accepted time-loss injuries are captured in several different categories. The report includes tables that show these injuries by:
Fatality statistics are shown by:
These reports summarize data for groups of industries and occupations. For example, "industry division" applies to a group like the "manufacturing sector" not to specific industries like the "paint and varnish industry". Similarly, occupations in these reports refer to the major groups like "construction trades occupations" (Statistics Canada Occupational Classification group 87) rather than to unit groups like "carpenters and related occupations" (group 8781).
It is important to remember that these reports do not include all workplace injuries: they only include accepted time-loss injuries. The AWCBC defines a time-loss injury as "an injury for which a worker is compensated for a loss of wages following a work-related accident (or exposure to a noxious chemical) or receives compensation for a permanent disability with or without time lost in his or her employment". An example of the latter kind of time-loss injury is a worker who receives compensation for a loss of hearing caused by excessive workplace noise even though the worker may have not missed any time from work because of this injury.
To be included in the statistical report, the injury must have been accepted by a WCB or commission. This requirement means that cases not accepted by a workers' compensation agency would not be included in the reports. Other examples of excluded information include:
If you require more specific work injury statistics or need information that is not in the AWCBC or NWISP reports, AWCBC can carry out customized searches on a fee-for-service basis. You can obtain more information on customized reports and request searches from the AWCBC at the following address:
You may also wish to contact the WCB in your jurisdiction for additional statistical information. These agencies can provide various kinds of work injury statistical reports; the cost may vary according to the availability of the data and the time required to undertake computer searches, if required.
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Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information, CCOHS does not guarantee, warrant, represent or undertake that the information provided is correct, accurate or current. CCOHS is not liable for any loss, claim, or demand arising directly or indirectly from any use or reliance upon the information.
