Students who have an incident, injury, or accident on campus or during their work-integrated learning experience must report it.
(Q) Hi Ben, I’m a full-time undergrad who participates in a work-experience program on campus. Most times the work tasks relate to the field I’m specializing in. Other times I perform odd jobs like painting, grass-cutting, and general maintenance sort of stuff.
Last week I took a tumble off a ladder while painting utility pipes in a parking garage. Nothing too serious, but I’ve been hobbling around ever since. Probably I should see a doctor. If it turns out to be something more serious, am I covered by WCB? Nobody seems to know. — Sean S.
(A) Something similar happened to me when I worked a summer job at a school division. On one fateful day I attempted to lift a filing cabinet that was twice the weight of my lanky teenage body. Let’s just say it didn’t end well for me. But unlike you, I wasn’t participating in a work-experience program, but rather, was hired as a seasonal employee. So my WCB coverage was unambiguous.
That said, you’ll be glad to know, just as my injury was covered under WCB all those years ago, so is yours. Students registered in a secondary school are considered workers of the Government of Alberta while they attend and participate in the practical experience part of a work-related program such as Industrial Education, Home Economics, etc.
So here’s your assignment: first off, tell your supervisor you hurt yourself on the job. Explain exactly what happened to cause your injury. The school will subsequently notify WCB about your injury if the treatment required is anything beyond first aid or if you missed time from work. Since your injury is nagging, you need to seek medical attention, and therefore, a WCB claim will be opened.
Next up — tell your doctor or other health care provider (e.g. chiropractor, physiotherapist) that you were hurt at work. They are then required by law to report to the Board within 48 hours.
And finally, you’ll submit a report of injury to WCB. Reporting online is the fastest and easiest way to report your incident. The system will guide you through the reporting process and provide online help along the way. The myWCB worker mobile app is downloadable here:
Good luck and wish you well young man.
