Governance – Policy Development Policy 41-004 | Effective Date: March 18, 2025

Policy

WorkSafeNB has a legislated authority to establish policy. Through policy, WorkSafeNB ensures consistent interpretation of legislation, provides guidance where legislation allows for discretionary decision-making, delegates authority and sets the direction for administrating the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission and Workers’ Compensation Appeals Tribunal Act (WHSCC & WCAT Act), Workers’ Compensation Act (WC Act), and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act).

All WorkSafeNB policies are binding on both WorkSafeNB staff and the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Tribunal in their decision-making.

The Board is committed to ensuring that, through the policy development process, approved policy aligns with WorkSafeNB’s strategic direction, while balancing the needs and interests of workers and employers, and maintaining the intent of the legislation. For more information, see Policy 41-012 Governance – Balancing Decisions.

To achieve that end, the Board receives feedback on policy through consultation with stakeholders.

Interpretation

Policy identification and prioritization

1. WorkSafeNB establishes an annual policy agenda, identifying those policies which are considered a priority for review or development. Establishing an annual agenda also increases the effectiveness of operationalizing approved policies.

2. Potential policies for development or review are identified by analyzing:

• Legislative and/or regulatory changes;
• Court of Appeal decisions;
• Strategic initiatives identified to further WorkSafeNB’s goals;
• Risks;
• Opportunities to improve benefits and maintain low assessment rates;
• Decision Review Office recommendations;
• Internal audits and program evaluations;
• Operational issues requiring Board direction or significant resourcing; and,
• Date the policy was last approved.

3. The annual policy agenda is the result of prioritizing policies, which have been identified for potential development or review, according to:

• The degree of risk involved in delaying a policy decision;
• The resource requirements to develop and implement the decisions; and
• The opportunity to further WorkSafeNB’s strategic goals.

4. Although the policy agenda is established annually, it may be updated or modified at any time during the year.

Stakeholder engagement

5. Once annual policy priorities are established, the extent of stakeholder engagement is determined based on the impact each policy has on stakeholders. If consultation is recommended, WorkSafeNB tailors its approach, ensuring input is gathered from relevant stakeholders through a variety of methods. For more information, see Policy 41-003 Governance – Stakeholder Engagement.

Review and evaluation

6. Policies identified are reviewed or developed using an information-based, decision-making model. This involves a continuous process of gathering, analyzing, and weighing information.

7. WorkSafeNB gathers information such as:

• Legal authority;
• Practice analysis;
• Jurisdictional information;
• Data; and,
• Court of Appeal decisions, standards, and guidelines.

8. Through an actuarial financial evaluation and analysis of the information gathered, WorkSafeNB ensures balanced policy positions are achieved, considering the needs and interests of stakeholders, while ensuring policies are based on timely, strategic, credible, and objective information.

Roles and responsibilities

9. The Board approves any new policy, or a policy undergoing review where the policy determines strategic direction by:

• Addressing key function(s) of the board;
• Guiding investment and rate setting;
• Setting principles for the system;
• Establishing intake eligibility and continued eligibility; or
• Establishing discretionary benefits.

10. The Board will also approve policies identified for review due to:

• An Appeals Tribunal’s referral under section 21(9.2) of the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission and Workers’ Compensation Appeals Tribunal Act;
• A New Brunswick Court of Appeal or Supreme Court of Canada Decision;
• An emerging issue as identified through strategic planning; or
• A specific request of the Board.

11. All other policies undergoing review are delegated to the Executive Leadership Team for approval.

12. The CEO will recommend that a policy, initially delegated to the Executive Leadership Team, be approved by the Board where the CEO determines that there is a:

• Significant change due to a legislative amendment to the governing Acts;
• Material financial impact on WorkSafeNB;
• Significant financial impact on employers or workers;
• Need for a legislative amendment; or
• Matter that requires board approval as determined by the CEO’s discretion.

13. Policies approved by the Executive Leadership Team are reported to the Board by the President/CEO at the next scheduled board meeting.

Non-substantive changes

14. Non-substantive changes are revisions that do not affect the policy direction, such as formatting, correcting grammatical or translation errors, and updating references. These changes are approved by the Director, Policy & Hearing Representation, and are recorded in the Previous version section of the policy. The approval date and effective date do not change when revisions are non-substantive.

Communications

15. WorkSafeNB communicates policy decisions to clients, service providers, and other stakeholders by publishing policies in both official languages on WorkSafeNB’s website.

16. Approved policies will be translated and posted to the external website.

Previous versions

• Policy 41-004 Governance – Policy Development release 4, effective August 22, 2019
• Policy 41-004 Governance – Policy Development release 3, effective June 1, 2015
• Policy 41-004 Governance – Policy Development release 2, effective November 29, 2012