WCB Funds New Prevention Projects, Notes Priorities for 2006

The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB), Canada recently reported the latest funding recipients of its Community Initiatives and Research Program (CIRP). These 11 groups will conduct community or industry-based projects that focus on the prevention of workplace injuries, disability management programs, or injury prevention and workplace injury support for the agriculture community.

The CIRP provides up to $1 million annually to fund projects focusing on injury and disease prevention, safety in the workplace, treatment of workplace injuries, support for injured workers and their families, and research into scientific, medical or other issues related to workers compensation. Since the inception of the program, approximately 65 percent of the funding has supported workplace prevention, education and training initiatives.

“The WCB places a great deal of importance on promoting a safe and healthy work environment for all Manitobans, and the CIRP reflects that cause,” said WCB President and CEO Doug Sexsmith. “The projects funded by the CIRP support our mandate of preventing workplace injuries and illnesses, while also reducing the pain, suffering and costs resulting from such occurrences.”

Sexsmith adds that the projects funded through the CIRP initiative are good examples of the workplace safety movement spearheaded by SAFE Work and SAFE Manitoba.

“SAFE Work and SAFE Manitoba are about building partnerships in the community to help build a culture of safety in our province. Work shouldn’t hurt.”

Since the CIRP was launched by the WCB at the end of 1997, 100 innovative projects have been completed or are still in progress. The CIRP aims to enhance the understanding of workers’ compensation issues and to minimize the human and financial impact of workplace injuries and disease.

The WCB has also released its priorities for its 2006 CIRP funding. The WCB will begin accepting funding requests for projects that focus on either the prevention of workplace injuries, return to work projects, or occupational disease claims (please note that any additional applications that address the mandate of the CIRP will also be considered).

The deadline for the first stage in the application process is April 14. For more information on how to apply for CIRP funding, visit the WCB Web site at www.wcb.mb.ca.