How to Lower WCB Premiums: Proven Strategies to Reduce Costs and Improve Workplace Safety

Many employers view WCB premiums as an irritating process and an unavoidable cost of doing business. However, with the right strategy in place, these premiums can often be reduced significantly, without compromising employee safety or industry compliance.

Here at Windley Ely, we’ve helped some of Canada’s largest employers and manage over 20,000 incidents annually across all provinces and territories. We specialize in comprehensive WCB claims management and assisting employers in taking a proactive, data-driven approach to workers’ compensation. From optimizing claims management to enhancing workplace safety programs, our expert-backed solutions are designed to reduce risk, improve outcomes, and help you take back control of your premiums – all with ease.

Here are some ways you can lower your WCB premiums starting today!

1. Build a Strong Safety Culture

Having a proactive safety program isn’t just an obligatory box to check off; quite the contrary, in fact, it’s one of the most effective ways to reduce the frequency and severity of workplace injuries, which in turn keeps your premium rates in check.

It all starts with clear protocols, ongoing employee training, and leadership that genuinely prioritizes health and safety. To ensure that’s upheld, we work with companies to assess their existing safety practices and help them identify where improvements can be made – whether it’s refining your reporting procedures or building a more structured safety training schedule, we can help you make health and safety a priority to not only benefit your bottom line, but also your workers and your reputation.

2. Conduct Regular Risk Assessments

An important thing companies need to remember is that certain hazards can shift as your business evolves. That’s why having routine workplace risk assessments in place is absolutely essential to keep your WCB premiums low. Identifying and addressing potential hazards before they result in incidents not only keeps your team safe but also prevents costly claims that drive up those premiums.

Our team of experts can help you evaluate risk levels, implement strategies on how to reduce future risks, and ensure controls are practical and up-to-date, turning these detailed risk assessments into a valuable, ongoing practice.

3. Optimize Your Return-to-Work (RTW) Programs

The longer one of your injured workers remains off the job, the higher the claim cost can be, and the more likely it is to impact your premiums long-term. That’s why having a proactive, detailed, and well-structured RTW program can make a significant difference.

We support our clients with this by creating transitional work plans and communication processes that help employees safely reintegrate into the workplace as soon as medically appropriate. A well-run RTW program prioritizes recovery, reduces lost time, and demonstrates to WCB that you’re actively managing your claims responsibly and effectively.

4. Promote Employee Health & Wellness

Strong and healthy employees are less likely to experience workplace injuries and more likely to recover quickly if they do get injured on the job. Supporting and encouraging wellness in the workplace doesn’t need to be a complex or costly effort. Even small initiatives like ergonomic assessments, mental health resources, or regular health and safety check-ins can go a long way in reducing incidents and improving overall workplace morale.

Here at Windley Ely we help you integrate effective wellness solutions into your workplace strategy in a way that supports both your people and your long-term claims goals.

5. Maintain Accurate Payroll and Worker Classification

WCB premiums are directly affected by how your payroll and employees are documented and classified. Misreporting payroll or misclassifying employees (especially when it comes to contractors vs. employees) can lead to overpayments, penalties, and even retroactive charges, which you’d prefer to avoid.

We can help you review your classification codes and payroll reporting process regularly to ensure accuracy and reduce your risk of costly errors.

6. Establish a Reliable Management System

One of the biggest drivers of increased WCB costs is inconsistent or reactive claims management, which not only negatively impacts your company’s organizational reputation but is also a major stressor that simply isn’t needed. Delays in reporting, missing documentation, or consistent lack of follow-up can all increase claim duration and drive up your premiums.

Our Windley Ely claims platform and dedicated account managers help you stay on top of every claim, from day one to resolution. With real-time updates, strategic insights, claim cost tracking, and documentation tools built in, managing claims becomes a streamlined, efficient process that leads to better outcomes and lower costs moving forward.

7. Understand Incidents and Take Preventive Measures

With every workplace incident, there is an opportunity to improve. Conducting thorough investigations after every injury allows you to identify the root causes, implement corrective actions, and prevent similar incidents from occurring again in the future.

At Windley Ely, we guide clients through incident reviews and reporting and overall trend analysis, helping to transform reactive events into proactive safety strategies for your company.

8. Tap into Available Programs and Certifications

Something many employers may be unaware of is that, depending on your region and industry, there may be cost-saving programs available to help lower your premiums. For example, participating in safety incentive programs, maintaining a Certificate of Recognition (COR), or enrolling in a Partnership in Injury Reduction (PIR) program can all demonstrate your dedication and commitment to safety, and in some cases, lead to actual rebate opportunities.

We’ll help you determine what programs apply to your business, how to qualify, and how to leverage them to your advantage.

9. Previous Claims and Appeal Process

Something many employers don’t realize is that previous claim decisions or costs may be eligible for review. Whether it be errors in claim classification, missed opportunities for cost relief, or inaccurate assessments, they can all inflate your experience rating – and ultimately, your premiums. 

Windley Ely’s team of specialists works with employers to review historical claims data, identify potential inconsistencies, and manage the appeals process where appropriate. This approach and strategy have helped many of our clients recover significant savings and strengthen their overall WCB performance.

There are several paths an appeal can take, depending on the nature of the issue, such as:

Protest Actions
Our experienced Case Managers file direct objection letters with the board to contest or revise claim decisions based on claim-specific facts and documentation.

Cost Relief or Cost Transfer
We advocate to have shared or inappropriate costs reassigned – either to the industry as a whole, or to another responsible party, such as in cases involving third-party liability (e.g., motor vehicle accidents).

Legal Appeals
With the support of our in-house legal team, we challenge decisions on legislative grounds when the claim’s merit does not align with WCB policy or regulation.

Additionally, where applicable, there may be an opportunity to appeal on medical grounds. In these cases, our team of Nurses and Physicians reviews all relevant medical documentation to determine if the claim outcome can be challenged from a healthcare perspective.

A Smarter Strategy Leads to Long-Term Success
WCB premiums don’t need to be an ever-evolving mystery or an unpredictable expense any longer. With the right systems, insights, and team on your side, you can reduce unnecessary costs while supporting the health, safety and satisfaction of your workforce.

At Windley Ely, we don’t just manage claims – we help build resilient, future-ready claims programs that support your long-term business goals.Connect with us today and let’s talk about how we can help you lower your WCB premiums and improve your program performance.