Fewer injuries, fatalities reported across industries
Workplace injury and fatality rates in Saskatchewan continued to decline in 2024, marking a historic low for the province, according to the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB).
The province’s workplace injury rate dropped to 3.91 per 100 workers, reflecting a 1.01% decrease from the 2023 rate of 3.95. A report from 980 CJME noted that this marks the second consecutive year of decline, with the province reaching its lowest recorded workplace injury rate.
Similarly, workplace fatalities decreased in 2024, with 27 deaths reported—a 7% drop from the 29 fatalities in 2023. This is the lowest number of workplace deaths in Saskatchewan since 2017. Of the fatalities, 10 were attributed to occupation-related diseases, while the remaining 17 resulted from traumatic incidents, including vehicle collisions, drowning, and contact with machinery.
For the fifth consecutive year, 90% of Saskatchewan workplaces saw no fatalities or injuries, the WCB reported. The province’s time-loss injury rate also fell by 3.37%, reaching 1.72 per 100 workers.
WCB chair Gord Dobrowolsky credited the ongoing reduction in injury rates to collaborative efforts by employers, workers, safety associations, and provincial leaders.
“Safety starts with us on every job, every shift,” Dobrowolsky stated. “It is our combined efforts that continue to reduce injury rates. While these numbers are heading in the right direction, even one injury is too many.”
Phillip Germain, CEO of the WCB, acknowledged the progress but emphasized the need for continued improvements in workplace safety.
“Our province leads the country in so many ways, but when it comes to workplace safety, we still have a ways to go before we are number one in workplace safety in Canada,” Germain said. “We are committed to ensuring safer workplaces in our province. While safe workplaces are good for business, the most important part of every job is for each worker to come home safely.”
