What does WorkSafeNB coverage actually protect me as a homeowner if a contractor gets injured on my property?

If a contractor gets injured on your property and they don't have WorkSafeNB coverage, you — the homeowner — can be held financially responsible for their medical costs, lost wages, and rehabilitation. That's the part most people don't realize until it's too late.

Here's how it actually works in New Brunswick. WorkSafeNB operates as a no-fault insurance system for workplace injuries. When a contractor is properly registered and in good standing with WorkSafeNB, their coverage handles everything if they're hurt on the job — medical treatment, wage replacement, long-term rehabilitation, and in the worst cases, survivor benefits for their family. You as the homeowner are protected from civil liability for those costs because the system absorbs them.

The danger zone is when a contractor isn't covered. Under New Brunswick's workers' compensation framework, if you hire a contractor who has fewer than three workers and isn't registered with WorkSafeNB, you may be treated as the "principal employer" — meaning WorkSafeNB can assess you for the injured worker's coverage costs. A roofer falls off your house, breaks his back, and suddenly you're facing a claim for months of wage replacement and medical bills. Your homeowner's insurance may not cover this, and even if it does, you're looking at a complicated claims process and potential premium increases.

What the clearance certificate actually tells you. Before any contractor starts work on your property, ask for a WorkSafeNB clearance certificate. This document confirms the contractor is registered and their account is in good standing — no outstanding premiums owed. You can verify this yourself at worksafenb.ca or by calling 1-800-999-9775. A contractor who hesitates or makes excuses about providing this is a red flag worth taking seriously.

The mandatory threshold is three or more workers — employers at that level must register. But many smaller operators (a solo handyman, a two-person crew) fall below that threshold and operate without coverage. That doesn't mean they're doing anything illegal, but it does mean the financial risk shifts toward you if something goes wrong.

Practically speaking, make this part of your hiring checklist alongside getting quotes and checking references. Ask every contractor — roofers, excavators, framers, electricians — for their clearance certificate before signing anything. For larger projects involving multiple trades, ask each subcontractor for their own certificate, not just the general contractor's. A GC's WorkSafeNB registration doesn't automatically cover their subs.

One more layer worth knowing: WorkSafeNB coverage doesn't replace the need for a contractor to carry general liability insurance. WorkSafeNB handles worker injury claims; liability insurance covers property damage and third-party injuries. You want to see both documents before work begins.

You can find contractors in our directory at the New Brunswick Construction Network — and it's always worth asking any contractor you connect with for their WorkSafeNB clearance certificate and proof of liability insurance as a standard first step.