[2] Established in 1917 in accordance with The Workers Compensation Act,[3] which was passed the previous year, WCB's creation was the result of a compromise: injured workers gave up the right to sue employers in exchange for no-fault insurance in the case of work-related injuries or illness, while employers agreed to pay for the system providing they would be protected from lawsuits.

The system of collective liability was created to prevent that, and thus to ensure security of compensation to the workers.

[4] WCB is run by a board of directors that consists of 10 members appointed by the Manitoba government from nominations submitted by labour, employers and the public.

[8] SAFE Work Manitoba, a division of the Workers Compensation Board, is a public agency focused on the prevention of workplace injury and illness.

Since 1981, the Executive Council of Manitoba has included a Minister responsible for The Workers Compensation Act; however the specific ministerial designation has changed several times over the years, and the current position is not a full cabinet portfolio but rather is held by a minister with other cabinet responsibilities.