Month in Review – Prince Edward Island

LAWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Workplace Harassment

Jan 30: Between now and March 1, the PEI WCB will be accepting public comments on proposed changes (to policy POL-01, Psychological and Psychiatric Conditions) that would provide workers comp benefits for work-related harassment. Conditions: The condition must be professionally diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist and result from an “acute reaction” to workplace harassment.

Action Point: Find out about workers comp coverage of PTSD and mental stress

Noise Hazards

Feb 9: The PEI WCB reminded employers that workers are entitled to workers comp benefits for hearing loss they sustain as a result of work exposure to hazardous levels of sound. OHS laws also require employers to implement a hearing protection program and furnish annual hearing tests to workers who are so exposed.

Action Point: Use the OHSI noise control and hearing conservation program template to protect your workers from hazardous noise exposure

Workers Comp

Feb 29: That’s the deadline for PEI employers to submit their workers comp payroll data reports listing their actual 2023 payroll cost figures and projected expenses in 2024 to the WCB to avoid the risk of late fees, interest and penalties.

Environmental

Feb 7: The province launched a new program called the PEI Agriculture Energy Systems Pilot Program (PEIAgESP) offering funding to agricultural producers who are looking to adopt clean technologies to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, reduce energy costs and optimize energy use on farms.