| Policy Spotlight | | |
Our Governance Council approved revisions to four policies at its recent meeting: 00.02, 00.03, 00.08, and 02.06.
To view all of our current polices, including policies under review, visit our website. | |
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| Greetings!
Every year, many Northerners get excited when we awake to our winter wonderland. We enjoy the excitement of the season's activities, and the beauty of freshly fallen snow. However, this time of year also presents a unique set of safety challenges.
Cold weather conditions, and slippery surfaces, can increase the chances of workplace injuries and incidents. We must exercise caution for our own safety, and for the safety of those around us. Slow down, prepare yourself, and survey your surroundings. The few extra minutes it takes to do something safely is a wise investment in injury prevention.
This issue of Insight shares information on how we help keep our community safe, announces our assessment rates for 2011, discusses how you can offer input into new Occupations Health and Safety Regulations, and introduces you to the roles of our Governance Council. Stay safe and warm as you enjoy your time in our great outdoors.
Sincerely,
Anne Clark
President & CEO |
Keeping Our Community Safe
Starting in 2008, the WSCC formed a Medical First Responder (MFR) team to help support our community. Completely volunteer based, WSCC MFRs complete Advanced First Responder training. The volunteers then provide first aid support at community events, promoting the importance of health and safety. All volunteers take their roles seriously as it takes a significant commitment to complete the trainining and volunteer the hours to gain certification as an MFR. This commitment allowed our MFRs to volunteer over 100 hours in 2009, supporting 12 events. This year, our team of 13 volunteers more than doubled the amount of volunteer time in our community, and added even more events to our roster. We are proud of our MFR team and believe that safety and care doesn't end at work. If you would like more information on MFR training, you can visit the St. John Ambulance website, or call their Yellowknife office (867) 873-5658. |
Every year, our Governance Council and an independent actuary set the Provisional Average Assessment Rate and the individual rates for each sub-class. These are based on the last five year's claims experience. So, the less claims, the more stable your rates.
On November 1, our Council made the formal announcement of our 2011 rates. The Provisional Average Assessment Rate is $1.73 per $100 of assessable payroll, slightly lower than last year's average rate of $1.80. Our Year's Maximum Insurable Remuneration (YMIR) is higher for 2011, at $82,720, up from $75,200 in 2010.
All employers registered in the NWT and Nunavut will receive an assessment rates package in the mail. This package includes your rate guide that gives you the specific rate for your industry subclass.
If you have questions about our rates, or want to meet, please contact us. In the NWT, you may call Susan Abernethy, Manager of Employer Services at (867) 920-3843 or toll free 1-800-661-0792. In Nunavut, please call David Simms, Manager of Employer Services at (867) 979-8510 or toll free 1-877-404-4407. |
Public Consultation on New Safety Regulations
The Safety Advisory Committee
continues work on draft Occupational Health and Safety
Regulations to replace the current regulations under the NWT and Nunavut Safety Acts. As part of this work, the committee seeks employer and worker input. Get involved in your safety. The Safety Advisory Committee will consider all comments and provide feedback before finalizing its recommendations.
Visit our website to view the current draft and read more about the proposed changes. Email your comments to the committee by January 10, 2011. |
Getting to Know our Governance Council
A little lesser known part of our organization, our Governance Council, is a vital component. Providing overall direction and governing operations, the Council also carries out the following duties:
- Govern and give general direction to our President on our operations;
- Ensure the proper administration of the Workers' Compensation Act(s), the Explosives Use Act(s), the Mine Health and Safety Act(s), the Safety Act(s), and regulations made under these Acts;
- Review and approve our programs and operating policies;
- Review and approve our annual operating and capital budgets; and
- Ensure the proper stewardship of the Workers' Protection Fund.
The Governance Council is made up of seven Directors, with one acting as Chairperson. The remaining Directors represent one of three interests: the general public, workers, and employers. If you have something you would like to share with our Council, email your feedback. |
Safety Poster: Workplace Safety Responsibilities
Resonsibilities are part of life. Whether they start out as chores as a child, and expand a little later in life to who picks up your child from daycare, they are a necessity for things to go smoothly. At work, employers and workers have specific responsibilities. Knowing what they are can help workers stay safe at work and provide employers with an assurance that they are doing what they must to keep their workers safe. To help, we created a safety poster that shows employer and worker responsibilities. This poster is available in English, French, and Inuktitut. If you want a copy for your workplace, or information on our other safety posters, send us an email. |
We Want to Hear from You
Insight: A Look At Safety and Service helps keep you current on WSCC information. If you have suggestions of how we can make it better, let us know. |
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