2 days ago
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
City workplace injury claim costs jump by more than 30% last year
The city spent millions more to cover workplace injury claims last year, as officials blame exposure to the drug crisis and violence for creating traumatic experiences.
An annual workplace safety report notes the city's Workers Compensation Board-related costs rose to $25.5 million last year, up from $19.4 million in 2023, with Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service and Winnipeg Transit staff suffering the highest injury rates and the most psychological claims.
'Although work in these departments is different, the nature of work and work environment in both can involve increased risk of exposure to violence, traumatic events and stress not experienced in other workplaces. Psychosocial factors such as societal changes, (the) drug crisis, increases in violent crime… can contribute,' writes Kent Blackmon, the city's manager of organizational safety services.
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Chris Scott, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505, said bus driver assaults are far too common.
More than half the cost of city claims last year is connected to incidents that began in prior years, the report notes.
In a statement, the city said Winnipeg Transit staff accounted for about one-third of injuries that resulted in lost work time, while WFPS employees accounted for about the same portion.
The total number of work-related injury and illness claims accepted by WCB rose to 1,293 in 2024, up from 1,256 the previous year, while psychological claims increased to 207, up from 182.
The head of the United Firefighters of Winnipeg union said drug-related calls are common but the strain firefighters endure is directly linked to a staff shortage.
'No. 1, their staffing ratio is insufficient…. Pretending that it's (just) a social issue that's out of our control and there's nothing we can do about it, that is not the case. You need to reduce the exposure on your staff by having an appropriate… staffing ratio to backfill vacancies,' said Nick Kasper, president of UFFW.
Kasper said a staff shortage has resulted in increased workloads, higher overtime hours and slower emergency response times.
He said Winnipeg needs 59 more firefighters, and hiring them could save the city millions of dollars in overtime.
'We spent enough money on overtime for firefighters alone last year that they could've funded 70 full-time positions,' he said.
Chris Scott, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505, said bus driver assaults are far too common.
'We're receiving multiple reports on a daily basis of violence in the transit system (against drivers and passengers)…. Not enough is being done to keep operators safe,' said Scott.
The union leader said more resources are needed to ensure people affected by drug use and mental-health issues, which can lead to violence, can get the help they need.
'If we can get the adequate supports… that may reduce the acts of violence,' said Scott.
In a written statement, the union that represents Winnipeg paramedics said more action is needed to avoid burnout.
'Our members have been raising the alarm for years about the violence they face on the job and the lack of time to decompress after traumatic calls. In fact, in a recent survey with our members, 93 per cent said they experience violence at work, and nearly a quarter face it daily,' wrote Kyle Ross, president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union.
He said 71 per cent indicated they have considered leaving their jobs in the past year.
The annual safety report notes the city is working with WCB on ways to reduce Transit and WFPS claims.
Mayor Scott Gillingham said that work is critical.
'Certainly, we need to help our staff, without a doubt, with mental-health supports, emotional supports…. (And) when you've got medical personnel, our paramedics, our fire paramedics, attending to people who are potentially violent, that adds another layer of complexity and danger,' said Gillingham.
The mayor said he'd like to work with the province to add a safe place for first responders to take people intoxicated by drugs, other than the emergency room.
'We need some other spaces, not an emergency room, for people that are high on certain drugs that tend to make them violent…. It's a heavy weight to bear for our police, fire paramedics and paramedics,' he said.
Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of public works, noted the city is taking steps to make Transit safer.
That includes exploring options to extend partial driver shields or replace them entirely with full ones and adding more community safety officers to patrol the bus system.
Lukes also blamed increased drug use for raising the risk of public-facing jobs.
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'We're seeing all kinds of psychosis and what (can happen) when people are on fentanyl and meth…. And unfortunately, our transit system drivers are bearing the brunt of a lot of it,' said Lukes (Waverley West).
Coun. Vivian Santos (Point Douglas), chairwoman of community services, said WFPS is working to determine how best to help workers recover and return to work after injury claims. After the city sees how many staff can return to work, it should also discuss hiring more firefighters with the province, she said.
In an email, city spokeswoman Pam McKenzie said WFPS offers a behavioural health nurse, clinical support and peer support, as well as threat management training, to its staff.
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Workplace safety report
Joyanne PursagaReporter
Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne.
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