P.E.I. resource available to workers, employers
The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) of Prince Edward Island (PEI) is reminding employers to keep workers safe during the hurricane season in Atlantic Canada.
The best response to unpredictable weather events is proper emergency planning, said the WCB.
“Many Islanders are still feeling the effects of 2022’s post-tropical storm Fiona. If not shared already, this is the time for employers to share with their workers what the emergency plans are to protect people and worksites as hurricane activity picks up in the Atlantic Ocean,” said Danny Miller, the WCB’s director of occupational health and safety.
“This includes monitoring weather forecasts, keeping contact lists updated, having extra supplies on hand, and securing worksites, among other things. It also includes supporting workers before, during and after disrupting weather events.”
The Atlantic hurricane season spans June to November, with most activity occurring between mid-August and mid-October.
Historically, PEI and the Maritimes have been hardest hit during the month of September, with hurricanes and post-tropical storms Juan (Sept. 2003), Dorian (Sept. 2019), Teddy (Sept. 2020) and Fiona (Sept. 2022), according to the WCB.
Extreme weather conditions lead to revenue loss among employers, according to a previous report from KPMG.
How to keep workers safe during hurricane season
To protect workers, WCB is telling employers to:
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- Review emergency plans.
- Communicate your hurricane plan.
- Communicate frequently before, during and after the storm.
- Provide training that will benefit workers after the storm.
To protect worksites, employers should do the following:
- Create a comprehensive emergency plan.
- Closely monitor forecasts as weather events can evolve quickly..
- Make sure all critical data and important documents are backed up off-site to prevent loss in the event of damage to the workplace.
- Review insurance policy to confirm hurricane-related damage and business interruptions are covered.
- Fill and test emergency generators and have extra fuel available.
WCB’s hurricane safety toolkit is available to workers and employers here.
Environmental catastrophes and natural disasters should be a concern for workers, especially after these incidents cost the global economy US$380 billion in 2023, according to a report from Aon. That figure is 22% above the 21st century average.