The WCIRB database is not case sensitive. You may search by using upper or lower case without affecting the search results. You may also refine a search by combining several criteria in one search. For example: select a Commissioner name, an outcome, an issue and a date range to narrow your search.

The following describes how to search the decisions by selecting the various search criteria.

• Search by keyword
  The keyword search will only search for keywords that have been identified and tagged by the publisher of the information. The publisher has tagged as keywords the decision number; Review Commissioner; WorkplaceNL policy references; Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act references; Issue references that include the classification of issues identified in the WCIRB annual report as well as specific body parts, medical conditions, treatments, drugs, etc. You can also use special search operators to get more specific results. Please see instructions provided below.

  Operator	How to Use it
  space	Using a space between words will return results with either or both words contained in the decision. For example, if you type reopening hearing you will return all the decisions that contain the word reopening and all the decisions that contain the word hearing.
  +	Using a plus symbol before a word will return decisions that include the words identified. For example, if you type +reopening +hearing you will return all the decisions that contain both the words reopening and hearing in the same decision.
  –	Using a minus symbol before a word will exclude decisions that contain that word. For example, if you type +reopening -hearing you will return decisions that include all the decisions that contain the word reopening less those decisions that contain the word hearing. If you type reopening -hearing you will return all the decisions that contain reopening and all the decisions that do not contain hearing.
  “”	Using quotations around a word or phrase will return decisions that contain the exact word or phrase contained in the quotations. For example, when searching for policy EN-20, because this phrase contains a minus symbol, you will need to use quotation marks around “EN-20” to return decisions that reference that policy. If you type EN-20 without quotation marks, you will return decisions that contain EN and all the decisions that do not contain 20.

• Search by decision number
  To search for a particular decision, enter the decision number and click on the search button.
• Search by Commissioner
  To search for a decision by Commissioner, click on the drop down arrow in the Commissioner box, choose from the list of Commissioners’ names and then click on the search button.
• Search by outcome
  There are four outcomes to the decisions: Allowed, Allowed In Part, Denied, and Referred Back. To find decisions by outcome, choose from the dropdown list in the box and click search.
• Search by issues
  WCIRB has developed an Issues Classification of the issues that are typically reviewed. To search for WCIRB decisions by issue classification, type in the issue you are looking for in the issues box and click on the search button. Entering several issues at one time will return decisions that contain all the selected issues together. For example, entering Permanent Functional Impairment, Labour Market Re-entry, and Early & Safe Return to Work, will only return decisions that contain all these issues. To return decisions with just one or more of the issues, use the check box above the search field.
• Search by policy
  WCIRB decisions may reference WorkplaceNL Policies. In the policy box, enter the policy you are looking for and click on the search button. Entering several policies at one time will return decisions with all the selected policies. For example, entering EN-12 Hearing Loss, HC-13 Health Care Entitlement, and EN-20 Weighing Evidence will return only the decisions that contain all these policies together. To return decisions with just one or more of the policies, use the check box above the search field.
• Search by legislation
  WCIRB decisions may reference various sections of the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act (the Act). In the legislation box, type in the sections of the Act that you are looking for and click on the search button. Entering several sections at one time will return decisions with all the selected sections together. For example, entering Section 2, Section 19 and Section 26 will return only the decisions that contain all these sections. To return decisions with just one or more of the sections, use the check box above the search field.
• Search by date
  Use the date finder to search for decisions by date range. Again, you can use the date range in combination with other search criteria to narrow your search.