This page provides updates on recent changes to operational policies at the WSIB, policy clarifications, and our policy agenda.
To sign up for email updates of new or revised policies or to request past policies, please email polpub@wsib.on.ca.
Do you have a policy question? Contact the Operational Policy Branch.
Policy agenda
The 2024 policy agenda outlines our policy priorities for the coming year and includes items that may involve stakeholder consultation.
Learn about policy development at the WSIB including the agenda-setting process and past policy agendas.
Policy updates/clarifications
Independent living policy consultation (Serious Injury Program value-for-money audit consultation)
*April 18, 2024*
We have now launched the next phase of consultation on the proposed changes to our independent living policies. The consultation will run until June 12, 2024.
Minor revisions to traumatic and chronic mental stress policies
*Effective March 1, 2024*
We have made minor revisions to Operational Policy Manual (OPM) document 15-03-02, Traumatic Mental Stress and OPM document 15-03-14, Chronic Mental Stress to clarify the role of witness evidence in the adjudication of claims for traumatic and chronic mental stress.
These revisions clarify that the presence or absence of corroborating witness evidence may be relevant. However, the decision-maker does not need corroborating witness evidence to determine that the events that caused the chronic or traumatic mental stress injury, as described by the injured person, actually took place.
Additionally, the revisions specify that, when corroborating witness evidence is unavailable, the decision-maker must still assess and weigh all other relevant and available evidence, including the injured person’s evidence, to determine the likelihood that the events occurred as described.
We also made other housekeeping changes to clarify terminology.
Policies in place and effective prior to March 1, 2024:
Comparison documents of the revised and prior versions:
2024 benefit rates
*Effective January 1, 2024*
Each year, benefit rates are reviewed and revised to make sure that people are fairly compensated in a financially responsible and accountable way.
For 2024, the WSIB has increased all benefit rates to keep up with recent cost-of-living increases. The benefits outlined in the policy are:
- Clothing Allowance – Minor Damage
- Clothing Allowance – Major Damage
- Non-Professional Escort Fee
- Guide and Support Dog Allowance
- Independent Living Allowance
- Meal Allowance – Breakfast
- Meal Allowance – Lunch
- Meal Allowance – Dinner
- Personal Care Allowance – General Attendant Rate
- Personal Care Allowance – Personal Attendant Rate
- Personal Care Allowance – Skilled Attendant Rate
- Bookkeeping Fee
- Transportation Allowance
The benefit rates for 2024 are now outlined in 18-01-05, Table of Rates. These rates were posted in advance on December 12, 2023.
Policy that was in place and effective prior to January 1, 2024:
Comparison document of the new and prior versions:
2024 indexed values
*Effective January 1, 2024*
Every year, Operational Policy Manual (OPM) documents 18-01-02, Benefit Dollar Amounts - Accidents from 1998 and 18-01-03, Benefit Dollar Amounts - Accidents before 1998 are updated to include the current year’s indexed values. The indexing factor for 2024 is 4.4 per cent.
18-01-02, Benefit Dollar Amounts - Accidents from 1998
18-01-03, Benefit Dollar Amounts - Accidents before 1998
Prior versions:
Occupational disease update: Three new poisonings added to Schedule 3
*Effective December 13, 2023*
Effective December 13, 2023, poisonings due to work-related exposure to ammonia, chlorine, and hydrogen sulfide have been added as new occupational diseases to Schedule 3 of Ontario Regulation 175/98 under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, as amended by Ontario Regulation 387/23.
The three additions to Schedule 3 were approved by the WSIB’s Board of Directors based on consideration of the scientific evidence and other relevant information, including existing claims data, and the threshold for entry of an occupational disease into Schedule 3 set out in the WSIB’s Occupational disease policy framework. These changes were also endorsed by the WSIB’s Scientific Advisory Table on Occupational Disease.
Introduction of a new communicable illnesses policy
*Effective December 1, 2023*
The new Operational Policy Manual (OPM) document, 15-03-15 Communicable Illnesses builds on well-established entitlement principles and our current practice in adjudicating communicable illness claims. It responds to feedback we received from stakeholders during our public consultation. The policy will support consistent, timely, and high-quality initial entitlement decisions and will offer transparency about our decision-making process.
The policy will apply to communicable illness claims with an accident date on or after December 1, 2023.
To review our consultation summary report following our consultation earlier this year, along with the submissions, please visit the communicable illnesses policy consultation page.
Temporary Employment Agency (TEA) transition
*Effective December 1, 2023*
In September 2023 we completed our review of the rate setting approach for TEAs, which included a two-phase stakeholder consultation. You can review the consultation results, including the planned approach to create a new classification for the supply of clerical labour starting in 2025.
In 2024, TEA rates will be set using the same approach as all other businesses, as they were in 2022 and 2023. The TEA Transition to the Rate Framework policy has been updated to reflect that approach. TEAs eligible for a rate increase or decrease will move a maximum of three risk bands (approximately 15 per cent) from their prior year risk band towards their projected rate. Our premium and payment FAQs provide additional information about premium rate setting.
The following revised policy is effective December 1, 2023:
Policy that was in place and effective prior to December 1, 2023:
Comparison document of the revised and prior version:
Minor policy revisions to align with the accident reporting timelines in the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997
*Effective September 29, 2023*
We have made minor revisions to Operational Policy Manual (OPM) documents 15-01-02, Employers’ Initial Accident-Reporting Obligations and 11-02-01, No Lost Time to align the policies with the legislated requirement for businesses to notify the WSIB of an accident within three business days after learning of their reporting obligation.
The policies previously indicated the WSIB must receive a business’s accident report within seven business days of them learning of their reporting obligation. When we introduced the policies, the majority of businesses relied on the postal system to submit accident reports. The seven business day time-period was in case of postal delays between when a business submitted the accident report and when we received it. Since the vast majority of businesses no longer submit accident reports by mail, the seven business day time-period is no longer needed.
Policies in place and effective prior to September 29, 2023:
Comparison document of the revised and prior versions:
Minor policy revisions related to the determination of average earnings for apprentices
*Effective September 29, 2023*
In March of 2023, the provincial government amended s.53 of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 (WSIA) to include rules governing how the WSIB determines the average earnings of an apprentice. This amendment indicates that an apprentice’s average earnings are to be an amount equal to the average earnings of a journeyperson in the same trade as the apprentice. Subsequent legislative changes also included the removal of references to apprentices in s.16 of Ontario Regulation 175/98 under the WSIA since they were no longer relevant. The revised Operational Policy Manual document 18-02-08, Determining Average Earnings – Exceptional Cases reflects the current legislative requirements to determine average earnings for apprentices.
In addition to the above, minor revisions to documents 12-04-13, Apprentices and 18-04-10, Calculating FEL for Students, Learners and Apprentices, consist of housekeeping changes to update the legislation referenced in those policies.
Policies that were in place prior to the September 29, 2023 changes:
Comparison documents of the revised and prior versions:
Minor policy revisions related to independent non-economic loss medical assessments
*Effective September 29, 2023*
We have made revisions to Operational Policy Manual (OPM) document 18-05-03, Determining the Degree of Permanent Impairment to state that we will provide businesses with an independent non-economic loss medical assessment report, once the person with an injury or illness is notified and given an opportunity to object to the assessment report being disclosed. Other minor revisions were made to reflect that we give people a choice from a list of physicians to conduct independent non-economic loss medical assessments. The chosen physician must also consider reports from other treating health care professionals.
As a result of the revisions to OPM document 18-05-03, a consequential revision is being made to OPM document 21-02-01, Disclosure of Claim File Information - General.
Policy in place and effective prior to September 29, 2023:
Comparison document of the revised and prior versions:
Minor policy revisions to use a person’s pay periods closest to the person’s injury/illness date to determine their short-term average earnings
*Effective September 29, 2023*
We have revised the Operational Policy Manual document 18-02-02, Determining Short-term Average Earnings to clarify that we will calculate a person’s short-term average earnings using the complete pay periods closest to the date of the person’s injury or illness that represent four consecutive weeks of earnings.
Other minor housekeeping changes have also been made to update terminology.
Policy in place and effective prior to September 29, 2023:
Comparison document of the revised and prior versions:
Housekeeping changes to remove outdated content regarding Stakeholder Compliance Services
*Effective September 29, 2023*
We have made housekeeping changes to Operational Policy Manual (OPM) documents 11-01-02, Decision-Making and 11-01-14, Reconsiderations of Decisions to remove outdated content related to a historical period when staff in Stakeholder Compliance Services (formerly Regulatory Services) made final decisions of the board.
Policies in place and effective prior to September 29, 2023:
Comparison document of the revised and prior versions:
Policy changes related to cancers in firefighters and fire investigators
*Effective July 20, 2023*
In June 2023, the provincial government amended Ontario Regulation 253/07 under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 to add two new cancers: primary-site pancreatic cancer and primary-site thyroid cancer.
The additional coverage for pancreatic and thyroid cancers took effect on June 29, 2023, and we have updated OPM document 23-02-01, Cancers in Firefighters and Fire Investigators to reflect the changes. For more information, please read our FAQs about firefighter presumptive care.
Minor changes have also been made to improve clarity about the criteria for the presumption and we have also made updates so that the policy meets accessibility standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
Policy in place and effective prior to July 20, 2023:
Comparison document of the revised and prior versions:
Housekeeping policy changes to meet provincial accessibility requirements, update outdated terminology, correct grammatical errors, and clarify the application of policies
*Effective July 20, 2023*
We have made housekeeping changes to multiple documents in the Operational Policy Manual (OPM) to ensure we meet accessibility standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
You can see details of the changes to each document:
In addition to housekeeping changes to meet accessibility standards, we revised OPM document 15-04-03, Chronic Pain Disability to clarify that claims for somatic symptom disorders where pain is not the primary somatic symptom are considered under 15-04-02, Psychotraumatic Disability
Policy that was in place and effective prior to July 20, 2023:
Comparison document of the revised and prior version:
We made housekeeping changes to the following operational policies to update outdated terminology and correct grammatical errors:
- 19-02-08, RTW Co-operation Obligations
- 21-02-03, Disclosure of Claim File Information to Employers (No Issue in Dispute)
Policies that were in place and effective prior to July 20, 2023:
Comparison documents of the revised and prior versions:
Minor revisions to independent operator and insurable earnings policies
*Effective July 1, 2023*
The WSIB has made changes to its operational practices regarding forms used to determine independent operator status. These changes will reduce the administrative burden for independent operators and principals and have been reflected in policy. In addition, we have made changes to these policies to comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
The following revised policies are effective July 1, 2023:
- 12-02-01, Workers and Independent Operators
- 14-02-08, Determining Insurable Earnings
- 14-02-09, Insurable Earnings – Drivers in the Transportation Industry
Policies that were in place and effective prior to July 1, 2023:
Comparison documents of the revised and prior versions:
Policy changes related to Cancers in Firefighters and Fire Investigators
*Effective June 1, 2023*
Policy changes have been made to document 23-02-01, Cancers in Firefighters and Fire Investigators, to clarify the circumstances in which the presumption will be rebutted and to codify the WSIB’s existing approach to the rebuttal analysis in cancer claims in firefighters and fire investigators. These changes address the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal’s finding that the policy lacked provisions to establish a causal connection between workplace exposure and the prescribed cancers to support the application of the presumption. These changes, however, do not alter the definitions of “firefighter” and “fire investigator”, as established in Ontario Regulation 253/07 and mirrored in the policy, for the purposes of the presumption’s application.
Other minor revisions have been made for clarity related to case-by-case decision-making and time limits.
Policy that was in place and effective prior to June 1, 2023:
Comparison document of the revised and prior versions:
Minor Revisions to reflect changes to the Law Society’s paralegal licensure as it applies to worker or employer authorized representatives
*Effective June 1, 2023*
There have been amendments to the Law Society’s By-Law 4 Licensing that sets out a number of exemptions from the paralegal licensure. As a result, the revised Operational Policy Manual document 21-02-04, Disclosure of Claim File Information to Worker or Employer Representatives, reflects the current licensing requirements and exemptions for authorized representatives.
Policy that was in place and effective prior to June 1, 2023:
Comparison document of the revised and prior version:
Housekeeping policy changes to meet provincial accessibility requirements – June 1, 2023
*Effective June 1, 2023*
We have made housekeeping changes to multiple documents in the Operational Policy Manual to ensure we meet accessibility standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
You can see details of the changes to each document:
Housekeeping policy changes to support the WSIB’s transition to digital account statements
*Effective April 1, 2023*
Housekeeping changes have been made to documents 14-03-08, Pre-payment of Premium and 14-03-10, Statement of Account in the Operational Policy Manual to help facilitate the WSIB’s transition to digital account statements.
Policies that were in place and effective prior to April 1, 2023:
Comparison documents of the revised and prior versions:
Revision to clarify the WSIB’s approach to employer premium adjustments following a status decision
*Effective April 1, 2023*
We have revised Operational Policy Manual document 14-02-06, Employer Premium Adjustments to clarify the WSIB’s approach to issuing a credit premium adjustment following a status decision.
Policy that was in place and effective prior to April 1, 2023:
Comparison document of the revised and prior version:
Communicable illnesses policy consultation
We launched a consultation seeking stakeholder feedback on our draft communicable illnesses policy. The consultation period started February 14, 2023 and closed on March 28, 2023. We are currently reviewing the submissions received. The stakeholder submissions and a summary of the results of the consultation will be posted on our website in the coming months.
2023 benefit rates
*Effective January 1, 2023*
Each year, benefit rates are reviewed and revised to ensure that people are fairly compensated in a financially responsible and accountable way.
For 2023, benefit rates that have increased are:
- Non-Professional Escort Fee
- Guide and Support Dog Allowance
- Independent Living Allowance
- Meal Allowance
- Personal Care Allowance – General Attendant Rate
- Personal Care Allowance – Personal Attendant Rate
- Personal Care Allowance – Skilled Attendant Rate
- Transportation Allowance
The benefit rates for 2023 are now outlined in 18-01-05, Table of Rates. These rates were posted in advance on December 15, 2022.
The revised policy includes revisions to meet Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 standards for tables. The table in the policy now includes a header and cells have been reformatted to improve readability for people using assistive technologies.
Policy that was in place and effective prior to January 1, 2023:
Comparison document of the new and prior versions:
- *
2023 indexed values
*Effective January 1, 2023*
Every year, Operational Policy Manual (OPM) documents 18-01-02, Benefit Dollar Amounts - Accidents from 1998 and 18-01-03, Benefit Dollar Amounts - Accidents before 1998 are updated to include the current year’s indexed values. The indexing factor for 2023 is 6.5 per cent.
18-01-02, Benefit Dollar Amounts - Accidents from 1998
18-01-03, Benefit Dollar Amounts - Accidents before 1998
Prior versions
Housekeeping changes to reflect repealed legislation - Drugless Practitioners Act, 1990
*Effective January 1, 2023*
On July 1, 2015, the Drugless Practitioners Act, 1990 was repealed and therefore no longer has effect. Operational Policy Manual document 17-01-02, Entitlement to Health Care and 18-01-12, Employer Contributions to Worker Benefits have been revised to remove references to the Drugless Practitioners Act, 1990.
Policies that were in place and effective prior to January 1, 2023:
Comparison documents of the revised and prior versions:
- *
- *
Minor Revisions to Apprentices (coverage policy)
*Effective January 1, 2023*
On January 1, 2022, the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021, (BOSTA) was proclaimed. BOSTA enabled the creation of new skilled trades and apprenticeship systems. As a result, Operational Policy Manual document 12-04-13, Apprentices has been revised to better reflect the apprenticeship systems established under BOSTA and to align the terminology used in the policy with BOSTA.
Policy that was in place and effective prior to January 1, 2023:
Comparison document of the revised and prior version:
- *
In addition to the above, two other Operational Policy Manual documents have been revised to make housekeeping changes to use the gender-neutral term “journeyperson”.
| Policy | Prior version | Comparison document* |
|---|---|---|
| 18-02-08, Determining Average Earnings - Exceptional Cases | ||
| 18-04-10, Calculating FEL for Students, Learners, and Apprentices |
Housekeeping policy changes to meet provincial accessibility requirements – January 3, 2023
*Effective January 1, 2023*
Housekeeping changes have been made to multiple documents in the Operational Policy Manual to ensure accessibility standards for tables under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 are met. Details of the changes to each document can be found in the comparison documents below.
Temporary Employment Agency (TEA) transition
*Effective December 1, 2022*
The TEA Transition to the Rate Framework policy has been updated to reflect the extension of the 2022 rate setting approach for TEAs into 2023. Under the approach, TEAs’ rates will be set using the same approach as all other businesses. All TEAs eligible for a rate increase will move a maximum of two risk bands (approximately 10 per cent) from their prior year risk band towards their projected rate. All TEAs eligible for a reduction will see decreases to their rate in 2023. Our premium and payment FAQs provide more information about premium rate setting.
We are continuing to examine our approach to TEA rate setting beyond 2023 to ensure that all businesses’ rates reflect their individual and class risk and experience. Visit our TEA rate setting consultation page to learn more.
The following revised policy is effective December 1, 2022:
Policy that was in place and effective prior to December 1, 2022:
Comparison document of the revised and prior version:
- *
Occupational Disease Policy Framework
As part of the WSIB’s Occupational Disease Strategy, the WSIB has approved the Occupational Disease Policy Framework following a consultation held between Tuesday November 30, 2021, and Monday, February 28, 2022.
Temporary Employment Agency consultation
The WSIB's phase two of the Temporary Employment Agency (TEA) consultation sought stakeholder feedback on the proposed modification to the rate-setting approach for TEAs and/or their views on how TEAs transition to this revised approach. Phase two of the consultation started on Wednesday October 12, 2022 and closed on Wednesday November 16, 2022.
Housekeeping changes to Determining Insurable Earnings policy to meet provincial accessibility requirements
*Effective June 28, 2022*
Housekeeping changes have been made to Operational Policy Manual document 14-02-08, Determining Insurable Earnings to ensure accessibility standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 are met. All tables now include a name and caption.
Policy in place and effective prior to June 28, 2022:
Comparison document of the revised and prior version:
- *
Minor revisions to the hearing devices policy
*Effective May 2, 2022*
Minor revisions have been made to Operational Policy Manual document 17-07-04, Hearing Devices to reflect the updated procurement contracts with hearing device suppliers.
The minor revisions include the creation of a category of authorized hearing aid models that address the needs of most hearing aid users. Pre-approvals are also no longer required when obtaining an authorized model. Instead, a pre-approval must only be submitted when requesting an exception model.
The policy clarifies that the WSIB may collect a prescription for a hearing aid in certain scenarios. There is now also emphasis on the flexibility decision-makers have when considering replacement hearing aids due to loss or theft.
Policy that was in place and effective prior to May 2, 2022:
Comparison document of the revised and prior version:
- *
Housekeeping changes to Schedule 2 Security Requirement policy
*Effective March 1, 2022*
Operational Policy Manual (OPM) document 12-01-05, Schedule 2 Security Requirement was scheduled for a five-year cyclical review following the last revision in 2016. As a result, housekeeping changes have been made to the policy.
The updates include changing the document number from 12-01-05 to 14-04-01, and moving it to the corresponding OPM section, Employer Collections, which includes other security-related OPM documents. Other changes include updating internal divisional and external organization names, as well as removing hyperlinks and specific webpage names to reduce future changes.
Policy that was in place and effective prior to March 1, 2022:
Comparison document of the revised and prior version:
- *
Occupational Disease Updates: Scientific Advisory Table Membership and McIntyre Powder
*February 7, 2022*
As part of the WSIBs Occupational Disease Strategy, we are establishing a Scientific Advisory Table on Occupational Disease to support occupational disease policy development. Following the selection process, we are happy to announce the members of the table.
Effective January 27, 2022, Parkinson’s disease has been added as a new occupational disease to Schedule 3 in the General Regulation. Read more about this addition on our McIntyre Powder update webpage.
Minor revision to medical cannabis policy
*Effective February 8, 2022*
A minor clarification has been made to Operational Policy Manual (OPM) document 17-01-10, Cannabis for Medical Purposes. The reference to “palliative setting” in the policy’s definition of “designated condition” has been replaced with “palliative state” to clarify that “palliative” is intended to refer to the state of the person and not a physical setting, such as a hospice.
In addition, several housekeeping changes were made to the policy, including updating the application date and review schedule.
The WSIB has committed to regularly conduct reviews of the scientific and clinical evidence on medical cannabis. Based on the result of an independent scientific review received in 2021, the WSIB determined that the work-related medical conditions listed in the policy continues to reflect the evidence for the therapeutic use of medical cannabis.
For more information on the independent scientific review and/or information on medical cannabis treatment for work-related injuries and illnesses, please visit the WSIB’s medical cannabis webpage.
Policy that was in place and effective prior to February 8, 2022:
Comparison document of the revised and prior version:
- *
Scheduled Review: Determining Average Earnings – Periodic Payments for Survivors (18-02-09)
*Effective February 8, 2022*
The Operational Policy Manual (OPM) document 18-02-09, Determining Average Earnings – Periodic Payments for Survivors has been revised as part of a scheduled review, as outlined in the 2021 Policy Agenda. The review included consultation with internal partners, review of relevant internal and external policy questions, and a scan for relevant Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) decisions.
As a result of the review, only housekeeping changes were made.
18-02-09, Determining Average Earnings – Periodic Payments for Survivors
Policy that was in place and effective prior to February 8, 2022:
Comparison document of the revised and prior version:
- *
Revisions to Pupils in Work Education Programs
*Effective February 8, 2022*
Operational Policy Manual document 12-04-07, Pupils in Work Education Programs has been revised.
The Ministry of Education offers various work education programs where secondary school pupils are placed with employers to gain practical work experience.
The revisions to the policy were made in consultation with the ministry to better reflect the out of province coverage guidance that would generally apply to secondary school pupils if injured or made ill outside of Ontario while participating in a work education placement.
Other minor changes have also been made to align the terminology used in the policy with the ministry’s programs and to further improve its clarity and readability.
Policy that was in place and effective prior to February 8, 2022:
Comparison document of the revised and prior version:
- *
Employer Classification Manual amendments 2022
*Effective January 1, 2022*
The following Employer Classification Manual (ECM) documents have been amended to ensure accurate classification of wholesale business-to-business electronic markets, trade agents and brokers, and of care attendants directly employed by a private household, while maintaining pre-Rate Framework coverage rules.
2022 benefit rates
*Effective January 1, 2022*
Each year, benefit rates are reviewed and revised appropriately to ensure that people are fairly compensated in a financially responsible and accountable way.
For 2022, benefit rates that have increased are:
- Non-Professional Escort Fee
- Guide and Support Dog Allowance
- Independent Living Allowance
- Meal Allowance
- Personal Care Allowance – General Attendant Rate
- Personal Care Allowance – Personal Attendant Rate
- Personal Care Allowance – Skilled Attendant Rate
- Transportation Allowance
The benefit rates for 2022 are now outlined in 18-01-05, Table of Rates. These rates were posted in advance on December 17, 2021.
Policy that was in place and effective prior to January 1, 2022:
- 18-01-05, Table of Rates (PDF)
Comparison document of the new and prior versions:
- 18-01-05, Table of Rates (PDF)*
2022 indexed values
*Effective January 1, 2022*
Every year, Operational Policy Manual (OPM) documents 18-01-02, Benefit Dollar Amounts - Accidents from 1998 and 18-01-03, Benefit Dollar Amounts - Accidents before 1998 are updated to include the current year’s indexed values. The indexing factor for 2022 is 2.7 per cent.
18-01-02, Benefit Dollar Amounts - Accidents from 1998
18-01-03, Benefit Dollar Amounts - Accidents before 1998
Prior versions
- 18-01-02, Benefit Dollar Amounts – Accidents from 1998 (PDF)
- 18-01-03, Benefit Dollar Amounts – Accidents before 1998 (PDF)
Policy clarifications
Pre-existing conditions and permanent impairments – issued December 15, 2017
* If you need an accessible version of this document, please contact accessibility@wsib.on.ca