1943 to 1973 The Growth Years — Developing the Process
With the Great Depression and World War II in the past, the Board
could look back with pride. Under the leadership of E.S.H. Winn
(Chairman from 1917 to 1946), the Board gained the confidence of
industry through careful money management while expanding the services
offered and industries covered.
Stakeholders now demanded more from the WCB. The increased demands
required more people and the WCB grew from a small organization
of 100 in 1941, to an organization of 1,300 by 1972. Where consistency
used to be assured by the direct involvement of the commissioners
in all aspects of the business, it now required procedures, processes,
and professional management.
Fifteen workers lose their lives in the sinking of coastal
vessel Nordholm off Cape Scott.
The Board organizes the Provincial Industrial Safety Council,
an association devoted to safety education and the distribution
of accident prevention information.
The Board purchases a movie projector for the showing
of safety films to industrial workers.
The Vocational Rehabilitation Department is established by
the Board to assist permanently disabled workers in returning
to productive employment.
Many claims processed by the Board are from men working on
construction of Alaska Highway.
Parker Williams, Commissioner of the Board since its inception
26 years ago, retires. He is succeeded by Chris W. Pritchard.
As a result of the Sloan Inquiry major benefit increases
are made by the government.
Notes to
benefits:
All pension payments are given as monthly amounts.
Only changes to benefits
are noted.
Benefits are set by statute
(in the Act).
Benefits for dependent children,
parents and others are monthly amounts for each individual,
subject to group limits where noted.
Maximum pension is
the fraction of a worker's gross earnings that is paid for total
disability.
Waiting period is
the number of days off work after the accident before wage loss
compensation starts.
Maximum earnings
are the maximum annual earnings that are insured under the Workmen's
Compensation Act.
Widows who re-marry
are paid a remarriage allowance lump sum equal to 2 years of the
pension they are receiving.
Initial lump sum is paid
to widows or foster mothers as soon as the claim is approved.
Disability benefits: Workers
Maximum earnings:
$2,500
Maximum payment:
$132
Minimum payment:
$54
Disability benefits: Dependants
Common-law wife's pension:
$40
Initial lump sum: $100
Remarriage allowance max.:
$960
Child under 16 years: $10
Child 16-18 years & in
school: $12.50
Maximum for family: $80
Child < 16 - no widow:
$10
Child < 18 - no widow:
$17.50
Child < 18 - no widow
& in school: $20
Parents or others: $20
Parents & others maximum:
$30
Transportation of body (in
addition to funeral expense): $100
1944
The Board issues a directive stating that safety committees
in industry must have an equal number of representatives from
management and labour.
1945
Commissioner J. H. Pillsbury retires and is replaced by G. M.
Williscroft.
Freighter "Greenhill Park" blows up at dockside in Vancouver.
Six workers are killed.
1946
Workers employed in retail stores, hotels, and private hospitals
are brought under the Actfor the first time.
For accidents occurring after April 10, compensation is paid
from date of disability if the disability continues over six days
(formerly 14 days).
The Board starts regular safety poster service for B.C.
industry.
Collections from workers for medical aid fund are discontinued
on April 12. Employers now pay for total cost of compensation
and medical aid.
E. S. H. Winn, K.C., who served as Chairman of the Board since
1917, retires. His successor is Adam Bell.
The Industrial Hygiene Department is established by the
Board.
Disability
benefits: Workers
Waiting
period: 3 days; 0 days after 6 days off
1947
Employers in practically all industries except farming are
now required to cover their employees under the Act.
In the last two years more than 100,000 additional working men
and women have been brought under the protection of the Act.
One millionth injury is reported to the Board. This year
75,018 work injuries are processed, the highest number since the
Act came into being.
1948
Commissioner G. M. Williscroft retires and is replaced by E.
V. Ablett.
Benefits to widows and children are increased by the
government.
Disability
benefits: Dependants
Common-law
wife's pension: $50
Remarriage allowance max.:
$1,200
Child under 16 years: $12.50
Max. for family: repealed
Funeral expenses: $150
1949
The Board announces the location of a new head office and
Rehabilitation Centre.
The Government announces that the Honourable Gordon McGregor
Sloan, Chief Justice of British Columbia, will conduct a second
Royal Inquiry into the Workmen's Compensation Act.
The number of employers now under the Act grows to
20,302. They employ more than 350,000 workers.
1950
The Board's Accident Prevention Department begins examining
and certifying workers using explosives.
Victoria area office opens.
In a presentation to the Sloan Royal Commission of Enquiry representatives
of both industry and labour combine to express the opinion that:
"The salaries now paid the Chairman, Board Members,
and executive officials [of the WCB] are not commensurate
with their responsibilities… recommend that substantial
salary increases be provided."
1951
Twenty-three workers lose their lives in a B.C. plane
crash.
The Board moves into a new head office at 707 West 37th
Avenue in Vancouver.
A Vancouver man files a claim for a head injury that he said
occurred when he bumped his head on a counter at work. Investigation
proves later that man had struck his head on a pool table while
retrieving a ball he had knocked off the table.
1952
The Sloan Royal Inquiry Report is presented to Government with
the result that major benefit increases are made.
Nelson area office opens.
W. M. Allison is appointed to a three-month term as Commissioner
to replace Adam Bell who is recovering from an off-the-job accident.
Disability
benefits: Workers
Maximum
pension: 70%
Maximum earnings: $3,600
Maximum payment: $210
Minimum payment: $65
Disability
benefits: Dependants
Widow's
pension: $75
Foster mother's pension:
$75
Common-law wife's pension:
$75
Child 16 to 18 and in school:
$20
Child under 18
- no widow: $27.50
Child under 18 - no widow
and in school: $30
Parents or others: $75
Parents & others maximum:
$75
Funeral expenses: $250
1953
B.C. payrolls, on which Board assessments arelevied,
pass $1 billion for the year.
A compensation counsellor is appointed by the government
to assist claimants.
The Act is amended to include treatment by chiropractors,
naturopaths, chiropodists, and dentists.
The I.W.A. appoints John T. Atkinson as safety director, the
first full-time union safety director in Western Canada.
1954
Further benefit increases are announced by the government.
Penalty for infraction of safety regulations increased from
$50 to $300.
Disability
benefits: Workers
Maximum
pension: 75 %
Maximum earnings: $4,000
Maximum payment: $250
1955
Permanent disability pensions are raised for workers
injured before March 18, 1943.
Adam Bell, Chairman of the Board, retires. He is succeeded by
J. E. Eades.
Independent fishermen are now permitted to apply for compensation
coverage for themselves and their families.
In cases of medical dispute, workers are now given the right
to be examined by an independent specialist under an amendment
to the Act.
The Board opens a new $1.5 million Rehabilitation Centre
next to head office in Vancouver.
Disability
benefits: Workers
Minimum
payment: $108.33
Disability benefits: Dependants
Child < 16
years: $25
Child 16 to 18 and in school:
$25
1956
Work injuries reported this year total 95,562, the highest
in the Board's history. Fatal injuries rise to 324. Compensation
benefits amount to $21.2 million.
For the first time, the construction industry passes the
lumber industry in number of injuries.
The Board passes a regulation that all workers exposed to
serious drowning risk must wear life jackets.
1957
The Board co-sponsors three two-day worker's compensation
seminars with labour and management groups.
Annual "Totem " trophy provincial first aid competition initiated
by the Board.
Prince George and Vernon area offices open.
The Board starts the task of microfilming some 40 million
documents in claim files going back to 1917.
1958
While under construction three sections of the Second Narrows
bridge collapse, resulting in the loss of 18 lives. WCB-ordered
life jackets save many of the workers.
Board Chairman J. E. Eades, Q.C. elected President, Association
of Workmen's Compensation Boards of Canada.
Commissioners establish new review procedures for disallowed
claims.
Five millionth compensation cheque is issued by the Board.
The Board grants $13,000 in retroactive compensation to the
estate of Mr. J. Zucco, and widow's pension and children's allowances
to Mr. Zucco's dependants. The highly publicized case concerns
a claim from Mr. Zucco for silicosis compensation benefits.
Medical evidence from independent specialists showed that silicosis
was not apparent on x-rays. Following Mr. Zucco's death, an autopsy
indicates that silicosis was present but was overshadowed by tuberculosis.
(The Act is subsequently amended to provide broader powers
for the Board to pay claims of this type.)
The government sponsors a provincial centennial safety campaign
for industry.
1959
Chris W. Pritchard, Commissioner, retires. He is succeeded by
Hector Wright.
Increased benefits to widows, children and injured workers
are announced by government.
Widows' pensions are increased from $75 to $90 month.
The Medical Review Panel is established to resolve medical
disputes arising from claims.
The Board opens new $200,000 remedial activity wing adjacent
to the Rehabilitation Centre.
Penalty on employers whose negligence is responsible for accidents
is increased from $300 to $10,000.
Penalty for infraction of safety regulations is increased
from $300 to $500.
Disability
benefits: Dependants
Widow's
pension: $90
Foster mother's pension:
$90
Common-law wife's pension:
$90
Initial lump sum: $250
Remarriage allowance max:
$1,500 (Common-law wives are now eligible for the
remarriage allowance)
Child < 16 yrs: $35
Child 16 to 18 and in school:
$35
Child < 18 - no widow:
$37.50
Child < 18 - no widow
and in school: $40
Parents or others: $90
Parents & others maximum:
$90
1961
The number of compensation cases (loss of three working days
or more) drops to 21,437, the lowest number in 20 years.
New logging safety regulations go into effect.
In the "Rammell vs. Workmen's Compensation Board" case, the
Supreme Court of Canada decides that the Board's adjudicating
procedure is proper and in accordance with the Act.
Industrial safety inspections rise to 16,223, the highest
number in Board's history to-date.
UBC opens School of Rehabilitation Medicine to help relieve
shortage of therapists.
1962
The government announces the appointment of Chief Justice the
Honourable A. C. DesBrisay to conducta Royal Inquiry
into Workmen's Compensation.
In "Farrell vs. Workmen's Compensation Board", the Supreme Court
of Canada confirms the constitutional right of the provincial
legislature to establish the Workmen's Compensation Board with
the authority granted under the Workmen's Compensation Act.
One worker is killed and 15 others are injured as a result of
typhoon "Freda" on B.C.'s southwest coast.
1963
Chief Justice the Honourable A. C. DesBrisay dies while conducting
Royal Inquiry.
Two millionth work injury is reported to the Board since
1917.
The Board starts an educational campaign on hearing conservation
in industry.
1964
The government appoints the Honourable Mr. Justice C. W.
Tysoe to replace the late Chief Justice the Honourable A.
C. DesBrisay as Royal Inquiry Commissioner.
In an accident on January 2, Alan Brett, a Port Alberni millworker,
loses both his arms near the shoulder. After nine months of rehabilitation,
he learns to use his artificial limbs and passes a road test for
his driver's license. He becomes the first person in B.C. with
two artificial arms to receive a driver's license.
The Board puts new Data Centre with Univac computer into
operation to improve worker's compensation administration.
B.C. payrolls, on which compensation assessments are
based, pass $2 billion mark at year-end.
For the first time, 13,000 workers employed by members of the
B.C. Lumber Manufacturers Association work the entire year
without a fatal accident.
1965
The Tysoe Royal Inquiry Report is completed and presented to
the government. As a result of the Report, the government increases
benefits.
A new formula is devised for increasing maximum wage rates in
future years: The cost-of-living factor is introduced to increase
benefits when the Consumer Price Index rises 2% or more in the
preceding year.
Special arrangements are made by Board to circulate compensation
cheques during six-day postal workers' strike.
An avalanche at Granduc Mine in northern B.C.claims
26 lives.
Board Chairman J. E. Eades, Q.C., is elected president of International
Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions.
Disability
benefits: Workers
Maximum
earnings: $6,600 (Amount can now be changed by the
WCB without referral to the legislature.)
Maximum payment: $413
Minimum payment: $130
Disability benefits: Dependants
Widow's pension:
$115
Foster mother's pension:
$115
Common-law wife's pension:
$115
Remarriage allowance max:
$2,500
Child < 16 years: $40
Child 16 to 18 and in school:
$45
Child 18 to 21 and in school:
$50
Child < 18 - no widow:
repealed
Child < 16 - no widow:
$45
Child 16 to 21 - no widow
and in school: $55
Parents or others: $115
Parents & others maximum:
$115
Funeral expenses: $265
Burial plot or cremation
cost: $85
1966
Legislation passes permitting a $10 million grant from provincial
general revenue to go towards helping pay part of pension
increases.
The Board revises general accident prevention regulations
for B.C. industry after a 10-day meeting with labour and management
representatives.
Board hosts 52nd Annual Convention of International Association
of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions in Victoria.
Four hundred worker's compensation officials from five countries
take part.
The Board increases most pensions and allowances as a
result of a 2% rise in Consumer Price Index in preceding year.
The Industrial department is established in Board's Rehabilitation
Centre.
WCB safety and first aid inspection force increases to 36.
Disability
benefits: Workers
Minimum
payment: $133
Disability benefits: Dependants
Widow's pension:
$117.30
Foster mother's pension:
$117.30
Common-law wife's pension:
$117.30
Child < 16 years: $40.80
Child 16 to 18 and in school:
$45.90
Child 18 to 21 and in school:
$51
Child under 16 - no widow:
$45.90
Child 16 to 21 - no widow
and in school: $56.10
1967
1967
Higher assessment rates in most industrial classifications
are levied to provide the funds that make increased benefits
possible.
A Claims Advisory Service department is established to
assist workers, employers, and their representatives who require
assistance in the processing of work injury claims.
A full-time, three-member Board of Review is established
by the Board of Commissioners to hear appeals on claims.
An explosion at the Natal coal-mine on April 3rd
kills 15 miners and injures ten others. Total compensation costs
for the disaster are $504,105.76.
A special rehabilitation program is developed for the treatment
and care of back disabilities.
The Workmen's Compensation Act is amended to compensate
for disabilities caused by employment in compressed air environments.
Disability
benefits: Workers
Minimum
payment: $150
Disability benefits: Dependants
Monthly benefits
to widows and children are now adjusted annually on January 1 with
rises in the Consumer Price Index.
1968
Despite a 3.8% decrease in the number of new injury claims processed
over the previous year, compensation costs reach an all-time
high as a result of increased benefits provided for injured workers
and dependants of fatally injured workers.
The Bravery Awards plan is instituted as a result of
legislative changes to the Workmen's Compensation Act.
These awards monetarily recognize heroic acts of workers. The
first "Award for Bravery" is presented to William Whittaker of
North Vancouver who rescued a fellow worker from drowning in a
waterfront accident.
1969
Rapid industrial growth in B.C. sees the highest number of
worker injuries in the 53-year history of the Board, as well
as the highest number of safety inspections and orders.
The Board establishes a policy of early referral by screening
all cases involving an injured worker being off work for more
than three days.
Regional offices open in Nanaimo, Prince Rupert, and Terrace.
A Data Centre is constructed to modernize and streamline
many Board systems and procedures. An IBM Third Generation
Computer is installed and becomes operational in November.
A 20-acre site in Richmond is purchased for the erection of
the Rehabilitation Centre.
A crash program is implemented to microfilm Board records,
particularly claim files, thereby eliminating the substantial
amount of storage space required for paper files and safeguarding
irreplaceable documents.
In August the Board hosts the 43rd Annual Convention of the
Association of Workmen's Compensation Boards of Canada. More
than 100 delegates from all ten provinces attend.
1970
The Board's Accident Prevention Department undergoes considerable
change. Functions are distributed among three new departments:
Accident Prevention Inspection, Safety Research and Education,
and Industrial Hygiene.
Rehabilitation services to injured workers triples as a result
of a major policy change. Assistance is now offered to any
injured worker with a re-employment problem, rather than only
permanently disabled claimants.
Area offices open in Cranbrook and Kamloops.
A claims handling procedure is initiated where minor "medical
aid only" claims are adjudicated solely on the basis of a report
from the employer.
1971
The Board sponsors two special safety events:
Search '71, the largest joint management-labour safety
conference ever held in Canada, and
The Centennial '71 International First Aid Championships.
A complete revision of the Accident Prevention Regulations
is undertaken by the Board with the assistance of a joint
labour-management committee.
A new accident prevention inspection system becomes operative:
the Data Processing department provides complete and up-to-date
details to inspectors concerning the safety record of employers.
An audiologist is appointed to assist industry with testing
for possible hearing loss to employees working in noisy surroundings.
Construction begins on the Leslie R. Peterson Rehabilitation
Centre in Richmond. The first-phase is a residence for injured
out-of-town workers.
A central library is established at the Board to handle
business, medical, and technical publications.
Disability
benefits: Workers
Maximum
earnings: $7,600
Maximum payment: $475
1972
Several changes to the Workmen's Compensation Act go
into effect on March 30. These changes include reducing the
waiting period for time-loss benefits from three days to the day
of injury.
The Board's safety education campaign is highlighted by two
major conferences:
Drugs and Alcohol in Industry, and
Health and the Industrial Environment.
The Board's First Aid Training Manual, which has received
international recognition, is revised and a new edition printed
and distributed.
New Accident Prevention Regulations are adopted by
the Board, effective May 1.
A course in job search techniques is introduced for injured
workers attending the Clinic.
