By Yosie Saint-Cyr

To help employers budget properly, WorkSafeBC has published its projected 2009 average base rate for workplace insurance premiums. It will remain at $1.56 per $100 of employers’ assessable payroll in 2009-the same as 2008 and the lowest rate in 30 years, down from $2.29 in 1996. The average published base rate is a composite of rates in 67 individual rate groups.

Based on projections for 2009, 40 percent of employers will see their base rates go up or down by 5 cents or less per $100 of assessable worker payroll; 24 percent will see their base rates decrease by more than 5 cents; 29 percent will see their base rates increase between 6 and 25 cents; and 7 percent will see increases of more than 25 cents. Rate decreases are projected for construction, forestry, waterfront marine carriers, taxis and barge operators.

Industries whose rates are projected to increase include oil and gas exploration, drilling, well-servicing; large retail, convenience, furniture and flooring stores, and warehouses. Also seeing increases will be shipbuilding firms, paper mills, greenhouses, restaurants and pubs, physicians, tree planters, casinos, engineers, and various types of medical clinics.

General trucking, couriers and house construction will see their rates remain virtually unchanged or will incur modest increases.

View a summary of the 2009 preliminary base rate changes.

To find the base rate for a specific classification unit, search by classification unit name or number at www.worksafebc.com/search-classification.asp.

View the base rates for all rate groups at www.worksafebc.com/browse_rate_groups/default.asp.

Browse by industry sector.

Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B., is managing editor at HRinfodesk.com–Canadian Payroll and Employment Law News.

Originally published in HRinfodesk–Canadian Payroll and Employment Law News and Developments August 2008.
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