WINNIPEG - The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) of Manitoba has announced the priorities for its Community Initiatives and Research Program for 2001. In making the announcement, WCB Chair Wally Fox-Decent encouraged applicants to prepare their submissions in advance of the April 27, 2001 deadline.

"Reducing workplace injury and illness is a challenge that requires a partnership approach to seeking successful outcomes," Fox-Decent said. "This program helps enable those with good ideas in the pursuit of solutions that can benefit all Manitobans."

The application process will involve a two-stage approach - the first stage consisting of a Letter of Intent summarizing their proposal and its intended benefit to the WCB, which must be received no later than April 27, 2001. Following a preliminary evaluation, a number of the applicants will be invited to proceed with a more detailed proposal.

This year, the Program is focused on prevention. Within this priority, the Board expressed particular interest in applications that focus on:

• protecting young workers (under 27), older workers (over 50), and/or workers in the manufacturing or healthcare sectors from occupational injury and disease
• preventing workplace injuries through ergonomics intervention, and
• preventing workplace injuries through early identification of specific job hazards.

"We have a responsibility to reach out to workers in these target groups, who face special risks related to on-the-job injury," Fox-Decent said. "As well, by making prevention a priority, we are taking a pro-active approach by targeting workplace injuries before they happen."

Applications should address the overall objectives of the Community Initiatives and Research program. The objectives are to:

• promote, educate and increase the awareness level of injury and disease prevention issues;
• achieve practical outcomes which have a positive impact on employers and workers;
• develop a stronger understanding and further current knowledge of workplace injuries, illness and disability;
• apply acquired knowledge to the development of new techniques;
• identify and promote effective return-to-work and rehabilitation strategies;
• evaluate specific program interventions or other initiatives to assess the impact on reducing injury and disability; and
• promote research towards the advancement of general medical science where there is a link to workers' compensation.

Established in 1997, the Community Initiatives and Research Program funds initiatives on accident and disease prevention, safety in the workplace, treatment of workplace injuries, services for injured workers and scientific, medical or other issues related to workers compensation. Up to $1 million annually in funding is approved by the Board of Directors of the WCB, for work to commence in the following year. The Program falls within the mandate of the Workers' Compensation Act.

More information and a copy of the grant application package may be obtained from the Manitoba WCB by calling (204) 954-4650, or toll-free in Canada 1-800-362-3340 (ext. 4650). The information is also available in the Community Initiatives and Research program section on the WCB's Web site.

The Manitoba WCB is a not-for-profit mutual accident and disability insurance agency established by legislation in 1917. It is a partnership between workers and employers and is funded by employer premiums. About 325,000 Manitoba workers at 22,000 firms are covered by workers' compensation.

The WCB is governed by a Board of Directors representing workers, employers and the public interest. It is committed to providing superior compensation services for Manitoba workers and employers in a manner that is sensitive, responsive and effective, in order to minimize the risk and impact of workplace injuries.

"We continue to look for creative and innovative ways to reduce the effects of workplace injury and illness in Manitoba," Fox-Decent said. "Our Community Initiatives and Research program is an excellent way of supporting the work of others for the benefit of all Manitoba employers and workers."


Contact:
Don McDonald
Director of Communications
WCB Manitoba
(204) 954-4113
1-800-362-3340 (Canada)
Email: dmcdonal@wcb.mb.ca