March, 1973 THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER Y PAG fee _ BENEFITS UP—REPORTS W.C.B. Total cost of Workmen’s Compensation benefits to Bri- tish Columbia’s injured work- men and dependents of fatally injured workmen rose to $47,121,472 during 1972, up $5.1 million over 1971, according to the 1972 annual report of the B.C. Workmen’s Compensation Board. Time-loss compensation ac- counted for $20.6 million of the total, medical aid payments for $9.5 million and reserves for pensions $16.9 million. New work injury reports by the Board totalled 117,211 in 1972, an increase of 7.3 percent over 1971. Time-loss claims grew to 40,881 from 31,968 in 1971. The large increase in this category was mainly the result of the reduction of the waiting period for benefits from. three Biv to the day of injury, which became effective March 30, 1972. The number of days lost from work in B.C. as a result of injuries requiring more than one day off work rose fo 1,097,457 in 1972. The number of employers re- gistered with the Board grew to 49,717 and the assessable payroll to $4,711,000,000, an increase of $281 million over 1971. Employers pay the total cost of compensation through as- sessments levied by the WCB. Assessment rates, which have - been virtually at the same rate level for the past four years, are based on accident costs in each industry. Maximum ‘compensation payments for workmen injured on or after January 1, 1973 were increased to $537.50 a month from the $475 monthly paid during 1972. In addition, pensions for wi- dows and children and most disabled workers were in- an estimated’ ONE OF THE ELECTRICAL panel boards for the new braking creased 4.04 percent January 1, 1972 and a further 4.04 percent on January 1, 1973 as a result of rises in the Consumer ~ Price Index. The WCB’s accident preven- tion inspection department made a record number of 23,687 inspections of industrial operations during 1972 and is- sued more than 27,000 safety orders requiring the elimina- tion of hazardous work condi- tions. : The WCB industrial hygiene program ‘was expanded by added personnel and larger and more complete laboratory facilities for the testing and analysis of industrial health hazards. The number of patients treated in the WCB’s rehabili- tation clinic increased by five percent to 4,698. Their average stay was 25.3 days and the average daily attendance at the clinic was 474. NEW CLIPPER SAW BRAKE B.C. Forest Products Com- pany in an effort to reduce the danger of shingle sawyers being injured by the clipper. saw, has had the Canadian Dynamics Ltd. manufacture a new electrical braking system which will stop the saw in. seconds. The brake is designed to rapidly decelerate 3 phase electric motors up to 4HP from full speed to a stand still within 5-15 seconds depending on the mechanical load. This is achieved by applying a DC voltage source to the motor winding upon interruption of - AC-line power. B.C. Pores’ has installed the braking system at a cost of $325.00 per unit, on all clipper saws at its Hammond Division. A number of shingle sawyers have been injured, some seri- ously, at the Hammond Divi- sion from the failure of the old type brake to quickly stop the saw. Most of the accidents oc- curred while the sawyers were changing the shingle saw and leaned into the clipper saw while it was still revolving. Company officials are now optimistic that the new braking ‘system will eliminate this int BEST WISHES on the opening of the new Workmen’s Compensation Board office in Courtenay were extended to WCB Commissioner; George Kowbel (right) by Max Salter (left), president of IWA Local 1-363 in Courtenay. The official opening February 20 was attended. by more than 50 labour, management and community leaders. An accident preven- tion inspector and a rehabilitation consultant will make their headquarters in the WCB Courtenay office to serve Northern Vancouver Island. THIS VIEW of the confined quarters where the shingle sawyer works amply illustrates the need to provide the best protection possible from injury from the two saws he operates to manufacture the shingles. The large saw to the left is the shingle saw and the small one, lower centre, is the clipper saw. At the centre top, is located the switch con- trolling the new clipper saw brake. ANOTHER VIEW of the clipper s saw and the lever used by system for clipper saws recently installed at the B.C. Forest the sawyer to stop the saw by the old braking method. Products Company’s Hammond Division. danger. © : att.