Burial coverage increased for work-related fatalities

The provincial government has amended the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Regulations to increase burial coverage for a death resulting from a workplace injury or illness.

A news release on Monday stated the maximum coverage for burials has been increased from $5,000 to $10,000.

The increase is retroactive for work-related deaths occurring on or after Jan. 1, 2019. The regulations were published on Friday, Aug. 16 in the Newfoundland and Labrador Gazette.

The release notes the change is intended to reduce the financial burden on families during a difficult time, and brings coverage for burial expenses due to work-related injury or illness in Newfoundland and Labrador in line with the national average.

“The impact of a workplace fatality is felt by family, friends and co-workers, and resonates with all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians,” said Service NL Minister Sherry Gambin-walsh. “Our continued goal is to protect the health and safety of employees in all workplaces so such tragedies are preventable.”

Workplacenl will contact the families or estates of those who have been paid burial expenses since Jan. 1, 2019 to determine if they are eligible for a retroactive payment. New claims for burial expenses will automatically be considered for the higher amount. Retroactive and new payments depend on the actual cost of the burial or memorial.

On average, there are 25 work-related fatalities in our province each year, the majority due to occupational disease from exposures to harmful substances years ago.

The Occupational Health and Safety Division, Service NL and Workplacenl’s joint five-year workplace injury prevention strategy calls for a collaborative approach to build a strong safety culture and prevent such tragedies.