Getting started
This calculator uses sample incident and injury scenarios to show why a safe workplace is good business.
- Select a scenario from the top of your screen or choose Custom to enter your own values.
- Use the numbered bar at the bottom of the screen to move through the different cost categories.
Cut incident
Deli worker cuts finger
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While slicing the small end of a cold cut with a meat slicer, a worker sliced off the tip of his left hand's ring finger.
Costs are based on a one-employer and four-worker shift.
Estimated wage rates:- Workers = $10/hr
- Employer = $20/hr
Incident details
Back
- The incident occurred about three hours into the shift.
- The employer provided first aid to the injured worker for 1/2 hour. Also, the employer spent 0.25 hour arranging transportation and emergency services, and then later 0.75 hour finding and filling out the First Aid Record.
- The injured worker was transported with a co-worker to the hospital in a taxi (3.5 hours).
- The injured worker did not return to work on the day of the accident (five hours). It was estimated productivity was reduced during the incident for the other three workers by 1/2 hour each (1.5 hours in total).
- The floor and counter were cleaned (1/2 hour).
- The employer spent four hours in total investigating the accident and filling out the required paperwork.
- A follow-up meeting was held with the remaining three workers for half an hour (three workers x 1/2 hour = 1.5 hours).
- 1/2 hour was spent checking if all the guards (meat holder) were installed.
- 0.2 hour was spent installing the meat holder.
- One hour was spent dismantling and cleaning the slicer.
- The injured worker was away for two weeks.
- The employer spent four hours in total hiring a new worker.
- The employer spent one hour training a new worker. The new worker was experienced so her reduced productivity due to being new was estimated to total one hour.
- Immediately after the incident the reduced productivity of the three remaining workers was 1.5 hours each (three workers x 1.5 hours = 4.5 hours total), since the lunch trade that day was lost (due to the meat slicer not being available for use). Note: The loss of sales income resulting from the accident has not been included.
- The employer spent one hour per week managing the claim for two weeks (two hours total).
- After two weeks away, the injured worker returned and worked at 80% productivity for two weeks (40 hours x 20% reduced productivity x two weeks = 16 hours).
Slip & fall incident
Worker slips, fracturing ankle
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A worker slipped on a wet kitchen floor, fracturing his right ankle.
Costs are based on a one-employer, one-supervisor, and 15-worker shift.
Estimated wage rates:- Workers = $10/hr
- Supervisor = $15/hr
- Employer = $25/hr
Incident details
Back
- The incident occurred about halfway through a shift.
- The supervisor provided first aid to the injured worker for one hour, and then later spent one hour finding and filling out the First Aid Record.
- The employer spent 0.25 hour arranging transportation and emergency services. The wage for the employer’s time is added into the “other costs” field (0.25 hour x $25/hr = 6.25).
- The injured worker was transported by taxi to the hospital, accompanied by the supervisor (3.5 hours).
- The injured worker did not return to work on the day of the incident (4.25 hours). It was estimated that productivity was reduced during the incident for the other 14 workers by 0.25/hour each (14 workers x 0.25 hour = 3.5 hours). Total time lost = 4.25 + 3.5 = 7.75 hours.
- The spill on the floor was cleaned up (0.25 hour).
- The employer spent 3.5 hours in total investigating the accident and filling out the required paperwork.
- A follow-up meeting was held with the 14 remaining workers for 15 minutes (14 workers x 0.25 hour = 3.5 hours). The supervisor also attended this meeting. The wage for the supervisor’s time is added into the “other costs” field (0.25 hour x $15/hr = $3.75).
- The injured worker was away for two weeks.
- A worker worked one hour overtime on the day of the incident (one hour x $15/hr =$15).
- The employer used a callboard, so no costs were incurred in obtaining a replacement worker.
- Immediately after the incident the reduced productivity of all the remaining workers was estimated to be one hour in total.
- The employer spent one hour per week managing the claim for two weeks (two hours total).
- After two weeks away, the injured worker returned and worked at 75% productivity for two weeks (40 hours x 25% reduced productivity x two weeks = 20 hours).
Burn incident
Worker burns ankle and foot with hot oil
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A worker was draining hot oil from a deep fryer into a bucket. The worker picked up the full bucket and splashed hot oil onto her ankle and upper part of her foot causing second-degree burns to both areas.
Costs are based on a one-employer, one-supervisor, and nine-worker shift.
Estimated wage rates:- Workers = $10/hr
- Supervisor = $15/hr
- Employer = $25/hr
Incident details
Back
- The incident occurred near the end of the shift.
- The supervisor provided first aid to the injured worker for one hour, and then later one hour finding and filling out the First Aid Record. The employer spent 0.25 hour arranging transportation and emergency services. The wage for the employer’s time is added into the “other costs” field (0.25 hour x $25/hr = $6.25).
- The injured worker was transported by taxi to the hospital, accompanied by the supervisor (3.5 hours).
- The injured worker did not return to work on the day of the accident (one hour). It was estimated productivity was reduced during the incident for the other eight workers by 0.25 hour each (two hours in total).
- A worker spent one hour cleaning up the spilled oil.
- The employer spent four hours in total investigating the accident and filling out the required paperwork.
- A follow-up meeting was held with the eight remaining workers for half an hour (eight workers x 1/2 hour = four hours). The supervisor also attended this meeting. The wage for the supervisor’s time is added into the “other costs” field (1/2 hour x $15/hr = $7.50).
- One hour was spent by the employer checking the equipment involved in the accident.
- A new bucket with a lid and a trolley was ordered ($300).
- The injured worker was away for two weeks.
- A worker worked one hour overtime on the day of the incident (one hour x $15/hr = $15).
- The employer used a callboard, so no costs were incurred in obtaining a replacement worker.
- Immediately after the incident the reduced productivity of all the remaining workers was estimated to be only 1.5 hours in total since the accident happened near the end of the shift.
- The employer spent one hour per week managing the claim for two weeks (two hours total).
- After two weeks away, the injured worker returned and worked at 75% productivity for two weeks (40 hours x 25% reduced productivity x two weeks = 20 hours).
- The employer spent time for training the workers and supervisor on the new equipment/procedures for draining the oil. The wages for the employer, supervisor, and workers are added to the "other costs" field. See details below.
- 9 workers x 0.25 hrs x $10/hr = $22.50
- 1 supervisor x 0.25 hrs x $15/hr = $3.75
- 1 employer x 0.25 hr x $25/hr = $6.25
Back injury incident
Housekeeper sprains back
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A motel housekeeper sprained her back while turning a mattress.
Costs are based on a one-employer and five-worker shift.
Estimated wage rates:- Workers = $12/hr
- Employer = $20/hr
Incident details
Back
- The incident occurred at the very start of the shift.
- One of the workers provided first aid to the injured worker for one hour.
- The injured worker was transported by taxi to the hospital, accompanied by the employer (3.5 hours).
- The injured worker did not return to work on the day of the accident (eight hours). It was estimated productivity was reduced for the other four workers by one hour each (four hours in total).
- The employer spent five hours in total investigating the accident and filling out the required paperwork.
- A follow-up meeting was held with the four remaining workers for half an hour (four workers x 1/2 hour = two hours).
- A part-time worker (who was performing different duties) from another shift was given extra hours to fill in for the injured worker. It was estimated that her productivity was one hour less per day for a week (five hours total) compared to the previous worker.
- After two weeks away, the injured worker returned and worked at 50% productivity the first week and 75% productivity the next two weeks (20 hours week one + 10 hours week two + 10 hours week three = 40 hours reduced productivity).
Violence incident
Cashier traumatized by armed robber
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A cashier at a bakery café was confronted by an armed robber. The robber made threats, but left without physically injuring any of the staff. The cashier experienced post-traumatic stress after the incident.
Costs are based on a one-employer and nine-worker shift.
Estimated wage rates:- Workers = $10/hr
- Employer = $25/hr
Incident details
Back
- The incident occurred midday.
- The bakery café was shut down for the rest of the day after the robbery (nine workers x four hours = 36 hours lost productivity).
- The employer spent nearly two days involved in investigating the accident, and filling out the required paperwork.
- A follow-up meeting was held to discuss the incident with the nine workers for half an hour (nine workers x 1/2 hour = 4.5 hours).
- Cash was stolen during the robbery and a large amount of perishable goods (prepared foods) required disposal ($2700 total).
- The employer spent two days finding, evaluating, and hiring a new worker.
- The employer spent two days training the new worker plus extra time supervising her.
- The new worker worked at 70% of the productivity of an experienced worker for one week and then 90% the next week (12 hours week one + four hours week two = 16 hours reduced productivity).
- The bakery café did not open again for business until the middle of the next day (nine workers x 4 hours = 36 hours lost productivity).
- After the traumatized worker returned, she worked at 75% productivity for two weeks (10 hours week one + 10 hours week two = 20 hours reduced productivity).
Important
The Tourism & Hospitality Safety Calculator does not include the costs associated with increased WorkSafeBC premiums resulting from workplace injuries. And most importantly, it does not attempt to quantify the pain and suffering experienced by injured workers and their families, friends, and co-workers.
Terms of use
While we strive for accuracy and endeavour to include the most current information in this program, we can make no guarantee of accuracy or completeness.
We make no representation regarding the suitability of the information contained in this program for any purpose, and we make no warranty of any type respecting that information. WCB hereby disclaims all warranties including all warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and warranties of non-infringement.
In no event shall WCB be liable for any damages of any type suffered by any user of this program resulting from any cause whatsoever whether arising in contract, tort, or otherwise.
Copyright
©2016 Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia. All rights reserved. The Workers' Compensation Board of B.C. encourages the copying, reproduction, and distribution of this product to promote health and safety in the workplace, provided that the Workers' Compensation Board of B.C. is acknowledged. However, no part of this product may be copied, reproduced, or distributed for profit or other commercial enterprises or may be incorporated into any other publications or product without written permission of the Workers' Compensation Board of B.C.