| Policy Spotlight | | |
Our Governance Council approved revisions to two policies at its recent meeting in December: 00.04 and 02.04.
To view all of our current polices, including policies under review, visit our website. | |
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| Greetings!
The rest of Canada is approaching the end of winter, but for us Northerners, we still have a couple months of snow and icy surfaces ahead of us. As the frosty season continues, it is important we stick with our safety routine, especially as the increasing daylight tempts us to enjoy more time outdoors.
As the weather continually changes, we need to prepare ourselves for anything that comes our way. This holds true for the workplace. Being safe at work is a responsibility workers and employers share. Awareness is the best tool for incident prevention. I encourage you to take advantage of safety education opportunities, and continue to expand your knowledge of how to work safely.
This issue of Insight includes recent policy updates and our 2011 Corporate Plan. It also provides important information on the draft occupational health and safety regulations deadline extension, and a winter safety tip. Enjoy the rest of the season, and always take time to prepare before you head out.
Sincerely,
Anne Clark
President & CEO |
2011 Calendars Available
Keeping track of important dates can be a challenge. To help make it a little easier, each year we produce a WSCC calendar. Featuring important safety-related dates, it also includes space for you to add you own.
The calendar comes in two sizes: a large two-sided English and Inuktitut version, or a smaller, tabloid size English version. We have a limited number of quantities left so if you would like a 2011 WSCC calendar for your workplace, just email us. |
Safety Tip: Winter Driving
Winter driving is a fact of life for most Northerners. Regardless of how unseasonably warm it may be for our southern neighbours, winter wraps us in its icy embrace for many months of the year.
If you plan to head out on a road trip, make sure you prepare for the trip before you turn the key. Here are some tips: - Plan your driving in advance and know your route;
- Prepare your vehicle for winter driving conditions, make sure you fill it up with fuel before you go;
- Check the weather and road conditions for your route before you go;
- Tell someone where you plan to go and when you expect to get there;
- Wear warm and comfortable clothing;
- Warm up your vehicle before you go and make sure your windows are clear of snow and ice; and
- Pack a winter safety kit with supplies to help you if you get stranded or break down.
A little preparedness can go a long way to making a winter road trip one that you remember for all the right reasons.
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Employer Payroll Statements Due
Are you a Northwest Territories or Nunavut employer? Have you submitted your Employer's Payroll Statement for 2010 and estimate for 2011? The submission deadline is February 28, 2011. Avoid a penalty and send your forms in before the deadline. This penalty is 15% of your provisional assessment. In Nunavut, fax your forms to (867) 979-8501. In the Northwest Territory, Fax your forms to (867) 873-4596. Need another copy of your forms or our 2011 Rate Guide? Visit the Forms and Publications pages under the Employers section of our website. |
2011 Corporate Plan
We are pleased to share our 2011 Corporate Plan with you. It provides a brief review of 2010 activities, and what we plan to do in 2011 to meet your needs and further our progress in meeting our vision. As we wrap up the last year of our 2009-2011 plan, we enter the planning phase that will flow into our 2012-2014 Strategic Plan. We value open and transparent communication, which is why we want to hear from you. To grow and improve, we need to know what we can do better. If you have any comments, concerns, or recommendations on our programs and service delivery, please forward them to our Executive Services Division. |
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Add Some Safety to your Schedule
As part of our commitment to provide employers and workers with the tools and resources to work safely, the WSCC offers free safety education courses.
Delivered free of charge to participants by our safety officers, the courses include: - Internal Responsibility System and Due Diligence;
- Occupational Health and Safety Committees;
- Go Safe: Work Smart;
- Safety Awareness;
- Incident and Accident Investigation;
- Asbestos Awarness;
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS); and
- Mould Awareness.
Delivered throughout the year in both Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, the courses help lay the groundwork for a safety foundation.
To learn more about these courses, and a current training schedule, visit our website. |
Reflections Winter 2011 Edition
This week, we sent our latest edition of Reflections to press. That means it will soon go out to subscribers in the mail. This edition covers topics relevant to employers, workers, and our communities.
Some of the articles in our Winter 2011 edition include:
- Foot Protection;
- Hiring Contractors;
- Lead;
- Nunavut's Greatest Resource; and
- Seasonal Affective Disorder.
In the meantime, you can read some of our past editions on our website here. |
Consultation Deadline Extension
This past Fall, the Safety Advisory Committee requested input from workers and employers on draft Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. When finalized, the new regulations will replace the current regulations under the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Safety Acts.
To allow more time for stakeholders to review the draft, the Northwest Territories Minister Responsible for the WSCC, the Honourable Robert C. McLeod, extended the deadline for comments to March 31, 2011. This is an important stage of the drafting process and your feedback can contribute to final regulations that balance the interests of both workers and employers.
Visit our website to view the current draft and read more about the proposed changes. Email your comments to the Committee by March 31, 2011. |
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2010 Stakeholder Survey
In 2009, we conducted a formal stakeholder survey to measure current service delivery and awareness among injured workers and employers in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
To build on the results, we surveyed injured workers in the compensation system for more than one year, employers, and pensioners in December. The results will help us to further refine service delivery processes and will contribute to strategic planning and resource allocation.
You don't need to wait for a formal survey to give your feedback on how we can improve our services. Share your comments, email us. |
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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