In 1995, reports the Human Resources Development Canada publication Occupational injuries and their cost in Canada 1991 - 1995, 1 Canadian worker in 15 was injured on the job. This translates into 1 occupational injury for every 8.7 seconds worked. One injured worker in 29 missed at least 1 day of work.

The proportion of annual injuries that prevented an employee from reporting for work or from effectively performing all work-related duties increased from 38% in 1970 to almost 60% in 1987. By 1995 the rate had declined to 51%.

Mean payment per occupational injury in Canada, adjusted for inflation

Although the number of occupational injuries reported by workers' compensation boards fluctuated between 1990 and 1995, an average of 1 million injuries was reported each year. From 1970 to 1995, the average compensation per injury (adjusted for inflation) increased from $1250 to $4510. In current (1997) dollars, the 1995 national average was $6020, with the highest average compensation found in Ontario ($7870), Quebec ($6520) and Newfoundland ($6070).