WCB CEO, Peter Federko welcomed delegates and introduced the newly appointed WCB Chair, David Eberle. Mr Eberle opened by introducing himself and speaking about what his role with the WCB. Honourable Rob Norris, Minister Responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, brought greeting on behalf of the government.

This year's presentations included:

New Occupational Health & Safety Regulations
A review the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 amendments that came into effect on October 9, 2007. Amendments addressed in the presentation included: fall protection; new training standards for operators of powered mobile equipment; training standards for electrical workers; respiratory protective devices; personal protective equipment; and amendments that directly impact logging, oil and gas and health care sectors. To view OH&S legislation changes click on the link.

Case Management I - Adjudication
This session explained the WCB's organizational structure, principles of adjudication, reporting and the life-cycle of a claim.

Employer Services, Rate Setting and Experience Rating
This session provided an overview of the services offered by Employer Service, including clearances, employer payroll statements and on-line employer services. An explanation of the rate setting model and experience rating program were also provided.

Workshop: Developing a Health and Safety Program
This interactive session provided participants an opportunity to work with Prevention staff and participating safety Associations to develop or improve their health and safety program.

Case Management II - Case Management
This session provided an overview of the case management approach to the long term Claims Management process.

Fraud
The fraud session provided participants an opportunity to understand what fraud is and how to report it.

Appeals
The appeals presentation explained how the appeal process works, what types of issues can be appealed, what information is considered, who can appeal and what you need to do if you want to appeal a WCB decision.

Occupational Health and Safety: Harassment Legislation
Information presented in this session covered expanded legislation which came into effect October 1, 2007. The expanded legislation covered the expanded definition of harassment to include conduct sometimes referred to as "personal harassment" or bullying. The presenter reviewed the new definition and the extent of the employer's duty to prevent and deal with harassment connected to the workplace. To view the legislation click on the link.

Journey to a Zero Injury Workplace
David Todd, Operations Manager of U.S. Onshore Production for Shell presented the safety culture that they have at Shell. David explained how Shell's commitment to safety still requires checks and balances and is a system wide commitment from their front line staff to their Board members. Even with this commitment David had a fatality under "his watch" that changed the way he managed his people forever. He discussed how Shell hired Dupont to come to their organization to do a safety review and learnt some valuable lessons. Lessons, which he and his fellow co-workers apply and live by on a day-to-day basis. His main message was that we all need to be aware of our surroundings and our responsibilities to ensure a safe workplace.

Return-to-Work Success Story: Advance Engineering Products
Gord Secuur and Mark Hannant from Advance talked about the steps, the processes and the benefits to their employees and their business in implementing a successful return-to-work program.

An Injured Worker's Story: Curtis Weber
Curtis shared his personal experience with participants. When he was a young worker, Curtis was severely injured the third day on the job building grain bins, when a crane moving a hopper came in contact with an overhead power line. He sustained burns to 60% of his body and had to have his right arm and left leg amputated. Curtis message is simple, "Every workplace injury is preventable." He said, and "You have to know what the hazards are whatever you are doing and plan your activities around them."

Safe Employer - Cherick Ventures
As the 2008 Safe Employer award winner, Cheryl Watt, owner of Cherick Ventures along with Bob Earis, Safety Consultant with Saskatchewan Forestry Safety Association discussed how Cherick as a small business operates their safety program.

Recovery and Return to Work for Injured Workers
Dr. Vic Thackeray, Medical Officer, and Chris Drobot, Manager of Health Care Services with the WCB provided an overview of the recommendations that have been implemented by the WCB from the Early Intervention Program report done by IBM.