For the third year in a row, BC construction industry employers are slated to have their base assessment rate decrease significantly. The preliminary assessment rates for 2009 were recently announced by WorkSafeBC.

The major decreases coincide with the creation of the Construction Safety Association of BC (CSABC) and its safety training and Certificate of Recognition (COR) program.

Examples of preliminary rate decreases include a reduction in the Industrial Commercial and Institutional CU rate from $4.08 to $3.67. The reduction is excellent news during a time of high construction activity. Home Building decreases slightly - from $4.06 to $4.03 per $100 payroll. Low Slope Roofing decreases from $ 6.98 to $5.73 and Steep Slope Roofing decreases from $12.98 to $11.56 . Highway Maintenance is looking at a decrease from $3.25 to $3.15.

Electrical Work decreases from $1.46 to $1.31 and masonry decreases from $5.45 to $4.38. One of the rare increases is to Structural Moving, which moves from $3.61 to $3.76.

The complete list of WorkSafeBC preliminary rates for 2009 can be viewed online at <www.worksafebc.com/insurance/premiums/2009_prelim_rates/classifi cation/browse_sectors_and_subsectors/default.asp>.

To keep the rates going down, contact the CSABC and start to earn your own company COR and your rebate of 15 percent of the base rate on WorkSafeBC assessments. For more information contact Cathy Lange B.G.S. executive director for CSABC at 604.434.3222 or 877.434.3222. To contact the Council of Construction Associations, call Grant McMillan, president, at 604.241.7667.