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May 26 2003 - A workplace injury rate of 3.0 serious injuries per 100 full time jobs was recorded for 2002 - the lowest since the current system of measurement in Alberta was established in 1991.

"I am pleased that we are making progress on reducing our workplace injury rate, especially since we have a rapidly growing workforce," said Alberta Human Resources and Employment Minister Clint Dunford. "This is a good start towards our goal of a 40 per cent reduction in workplace injuries by the end of 2004."

The Work Safe Alberta initiative is aimed at tackling injuries and fatalities on a number of fronts. Legislation was passed in December 2002 to increase the maximum fine for a workplace safety offence from $150,000 to $500,000. An additional 19 Occupational Health and Safety Officers are being hired to perform targeted inspections of workplaces with poor safety records. Alberta Human Resources and Employment is also developing a mentorship program in which employers with good safety records will mentor employers who have safety problems.

"While the 2002 results are encouraging, we still have over 100 work related deaths a year in Alberta," added Dunford. "Every workplace tragedy can be prevented if employers and workers 'choose safe not sorry.'"

The workplace injury rate in Alberta is described as the 'lost time claim rate'. A lost time claim is generated by the Workers' Compensation Board - Alberta on every occasion when an employee misses more than the day of their injury away from work. In 1991 the Alberta lost time claim rate stood at 4.1 claims per 100 person-years, in 2002 it was 3.0. The goal for 2004 is a rate of 2.0.

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