This is one of the key questions to be addressed at a symposium this fall organized by the Institute for Work & Health (IWH). Taking place on November 29 and 30 in Toronto, the symposium will provide a forum for researchers, students, policy-makers, injured worker communities, and employer and worker organizations to discuss the social, economic and policy implications of using financial incentives as a mechanism for preventing workplace injuries.
Financial incentives are system-level workers’ compensation incentives to encourage employers to invest efforts and resources in injury, illness and work disability prevention. Examples include experience rating of premiums and premium-setting modifications based on health and safety certification or specific prevention investments.
This international event will present the latest research, grouped around these key themes: the behavioural incentives of experience rating; workplace injury prevention; and claims and cost management issues.
Among the keynote speakers is Harry Arthurs, chair of the 2012 Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board funding review.
The symposium is being organized by IWH Scientists Dr. Ellen MacEachen and Dr. Emile Tompa, both of whom have explored the effect of experience rating on workplace safety in their research (see At Work, Spring 2012 and Summer 2012).
For more information or to register, go to:www.iwh.on.ca/prevention-incentives-2012