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WorkSafeBC

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FAQs - Registration and Assessment


Health and Safety | Registration and Assessment

I operate a small business. Do I need to register with WorkSafeBC?

Virtually all employers in British Columbia must register with WorkSafeBC. This includes employers in home-based businesses, as well as some contractors, subcontractors and residential employers.

To find out more about registration requirements, contact the Employer Service Centre:

See also:
Registering
Who is exempt from registering with the WorkSafeBC?

What happens if I don't register?

If you are required to register and don't, you could be fined and charged the total compensation costs of an injury plus retroactive insurance premiums, should one of your workers be injured.

How much does it cost to register?

There is no charge for registering. However, once you obtain WorkSafeBC coverage, you will be charged annual or quarterly premiums for your workplace disability insurance coverage. Premiums are directly related to the industry you're engaged in and the amount of your payroll.

How can I register?

While online registration is the fastest way to register, you can also register by:

  • Online
  • Contacting the Employer Service Centre at 1 888 922-2768 or 604 244-6181 to request an application
  • Faxing your application to 604 244-6490
  • Mailing your application to WorkSafeBC, PO Box 5350 Stn Terminal, Vancouver, BC V6B 5L5

As the owner/operator of a small motel, can I personally opt out of the WorkSafeBC program?

Yes, as "a proprietor" (or a spouse) you are not automatically covered for compensation benefits; you can, however, apply for Personal Optional Protection (POP) from WorkSafeBC.

Do I have to pay WorkSafeBC premiums if my teenage children work for me in the business?

Yes. Children of the employer are considered workers and are automatically covered if there is an employment relationship.

To find out more about registration requirements, contact WorkSafeBC's Employer Service Centre:

Can I pay the medical cost of an employee's injury to prevent increased WorkSafeBC premiums?

No. All work-related injuries must be reported to WorkSafeBC.

See also:
As an employer do I have to report all injuries?

Do I need to register if I'm a labour contractor?

Although registration is not mandatory, it is permitted. If you don't register, you and your employees are covered by the prime contractor's registration. The prime contractor is then responsible for paying premiums or reporting work-related injuries.

Labour contractors include unincorporated individuals or partners who:

  • Have workers and supply labour only to one firm at a time (e.g. a framer with one or more workers in the construction industry)
  • Are not defined as workers, do not employ workers or supply major materials or major revenue-producing equipment, but do contract a service to two or more firms on an ongoing basis (e.g. a janitor who has two or more ongoing contracts with two unaffiliated firms)
  • May or may not have workers, but contract a service which includes one piece of major revenue-producing equipment to a business or a person (e.g. a backhoe contractor who supplies a backhoe)

Do I need to register if I'm a worker?

In fact workers cannot register with WorkSafeBC or waive their rights to compensation. A worker is anyone employed full-time, part-time or casually, and who is paid a wage, salary or commission by the job, or on a piecework basis. This includes administration, management and clerical staff as well as labourers.

Do I need to register if I'm building my own home?

If you take on the role of a general contractor in the construction of your own home, you are required to register, even if the subcontractors you hire carry their own registration. Contact the Employer Service Centre for details. Also, check the status of subcontractors working for you by using WorkSafeBC's clearance letter service.

See also:
How do I contact the Employer Service Centre?
What is a clearance letter?

Do I need to register if I'm hiring contractors or subcontractors?

Probably. To be sure, contact the Employer Service Centre. Remember, even if you hire subcontractors who carry their own insurance, you should ask to see their WorkSafeBC account number.

See also:
How do I contact the Employer Service Centre?
What is a clearance letter?

What is a clearance letter?

A clearance letter will tell you whether a business, contractor, or subcontractor is registered with WorkSafeBC and up-to-date on their payments. Clearance letters may contain the following descriptions:

  • Active and in good standing
    The firm is registered and up to date with its payments.
  • Cancelled and in good standing
    The firm has cancelled its account and does not owe premiums. If the firm is required to be registered, you could be liable for retroactive premiums. Visit registration for more information about who's required to register or contact our Employer Service Centre.
  • Active and delinquent
    The firm owes premiums. You could be held responsible for premiums related to your contract if you hire the firm.
  • Cancelled and delinquent
    The firm owes premiums. You could be held responsible for premiums related to your contract if you hire the firm. If you're not sure whether you or the subcontractor needs to be registered, visit registration or contact our Employer Service Centre.
  • Recently registered
    We're unable to comment because the firm's first payment is not yet due. You should ask the firm when its payment is due and return to this site on that date to check the clearance status.
  • Recently registered and subsequently cancelled
    We're unable to comment because the firm's final payment is not yet due. You should check again at the beginning of next month to see if the firm's clearance status has changed.
  • Not reported its annual assessment
    We're unable to comment because the firm hasn't provided year-end payroll figures. Until the firm reports its payroll, we can't determine whether it paid the correct assessment.
  • Unable to comment
    The transactions on this account haven't yet been fully processed. Please try again tomorrow or contact our Clearance Section at 604 244-6180 or toll free at 1 888 922-2768.

See also:
About Clearance Letters
Get Clearance letter online (not all types of clearance letters are available)
How do I get a clearance letter?

How do I get a clearance letter?

To get a clearance letter:
Online
By phone: 604 244-6180 or toll-free at 1-888-922-2768, or fax 604-244-6390.

Is there a cost for a clearance letter?

No. Our clearance letters are free of charge.

See also:
How do I get a clearance letter?

What is a Clearance alert?

A way to be notified of changes to a subcontractor's clearance status by email. You can sign up online by providing the names of the subcontractors for whom you'd like to receive updates and WorkSafeBC will send you an e-mail when there is a change to their clearance status.

See also:
Benefits of Clearance Alert

Do I need to register if my business is only in BC temporarily?

The requirement for registration is based on the number of times your business comes (or intends to come) into BC.

Registration is required:

If your business comes (or intends to come) into BC for a total of 15 or more days each year
If your business comes (or intends to come) into BC for a total of 10 to 14 days as the result of three or more visits within a year
If your company operates outside BC and establishes a place of business in BC or employs BC residents

Registration not required:

If your business comes (or intends to come) into BC for a total of 10 to 14 days as the result of one or two visits within a year
If your business comes (or intends to come) into BC nine days or less within a year regardless of the number of visits

For more information, contact the Employer Service Centre to determine your registration requirements. Note: there are special requirements for out-of-province trucking firms.

See also:
How do I contact the Employer Service Centre?
Application for alternative assessment procedure for interjurisdictional trucking (PDF 27 KB)

What is POP?

POP stands for Personal Optional Protection. If you are eligible to register and are not automatically covered by WorkSafeBC, you may be able to apply for Personal Optional Protection (POP).

Who is exempt from registering with WorkSafeBC?

You're exempt if:

  • You're the owner or occupier of a private residence (see registration information for Homeowners and Residential Employers) and:
    • You regularly employ a person or firm for an average of less than eight working hours a week
    • You employ a person or firm to provide before and after school care for your children for an average of less than 15 working hours a week
    • You employ a person or firm to do a specific job or jobs for a temporary period of less than 24 working hours
  • You or your spouse own an unincorporated business and don't employ workers (spouses include common-law and same sex spouses)
  • You own an incorporated personal financial holding company and you don't employ workers other than the principal shareholders. The activities of your company are restricted to the management of personal investments such as:
    • Investments in publicly-traded stocks and bonds
    • Interest bearing financial instruments such as GICs (Guaranteed Investment Certificates)
    • Non-revenue producing land, buildings and/or equipment where there is no development, construction or direct rental activity

    How do I know when my registration is complete?

    It depends on how you registered.

    If you registered online:

      At the end of the session, you will be assigned an Internet Registration Confirmation Number (IRCN). This is a temporary number only. Your permanent WorkSafeBC account number will be e-mailed to you and a letter will follow by mail.

    If you registered by mail or fax:

      You will receive a letter confirming your registration. You may also be contacted by WorkSafeBC if we need clarification or additional information.

    See also:
    How do I contact the Employer Service Centre?

    How do you set my rate?

    See how we classify your firm and set your rate.

    How do I report my payroll and make my payments to WorkSafeBC?

    The quickest and easiest ways are to report and pay online from the comfort of your own computer, or by calling our automated phone system at 604 244-6181 or toll-free at 1 888 922-2768.

    If you prefer, you can use the forms we mail you during the year to report your payroll. If your premiums are $1500 a year or less, you'll need to submit the Employer Payroll and Contract Labour Report once a year along with your payment. If your premiums are more than $1500 a year, you'll be required to submit four payments with your Employer's Remittance Forms, as well as a year-end payment with your Employer Payroll and Contract Labour Report.

    Can I deduct the cost of my WorkSafeBC premiums from my workers' pay cheques?

    No. It's against the law to deduct premiums from your workers, either directly or indirectly.

    What if I disagree with my classification?

    If you disagree with a classification decision, you may request a review from the Review Division within 90 days of the date of the decision.

    If you have questions about the decision, you may ask to have it clarified by the Assessment Department. If additional information comes to light, the department may reconsider its decision at any time.

    See also:
    Employer Advisors

    How do I contact the Employer Service Centre?

    If you need personal assistance contact the Employer Service Centre between the hours of 8:30 and 4:30 p.m. (PST), Monday through Friday.

    Phone: 604 244-6181 or toll-free 1 888 922-2768
    Fax: 604 244-6490
    Mail:
    WorkSafeBC Assessment Department
    PO Box 5350, Stn. Terminal
    Vancouver, BC V6B 5L5
    In person: 6951 Westminster Highway, Richmond, BC

    Where can I get help outside WorkSafeBC?

    If you're looking for impartial advice, assistance, representation, and training for workers' compensation issues, contact the Employers' Advisers Office.

    How do I report claim fraud?

    If you suspect fraudulent activity relating to workers' compensation, find out how to report it.

    By phone
    The Fraud Tip Line (1 877 523-3315) Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Voicemail is available after hours.

    By email
    . The information you provide is confidential. Providing your name is helpful so an investigator can contact you for more information, or clarify information as the investigation develops. The investigator will guard your identity and anything that could identify you may be protected under disclosure legislation. No caller is required to provide their name.

    See also:
    Fraud allegation forms

    Where can I get technical support for online registration and clearance letters?

    For web site technical support call our Customer Support Centre at 604 276-3135 or toll-free 1 888 855-2477 between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PST), Monday through Friday, or e-mail .



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