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The North is full of opportunities to explore and this is the perfect time of year to venture out to relax and take in our natural surroundings, listening to the peaceful sounds that ease our stress.
Our hearing is something many of us take for granted. People often forget the importance of using proper hearing protection to stay safe at work. As our construction and outdoor project season heats up (and hopefully our summer), remember to take the time to review the hazards of the task you are about do, and use the right personal protective equipment for that job.
This issue of Insight highlights the importance of hearing protection. It also provides information on this weekend's Mine Rescue Competition, our newest safety resources, and an overview of the trade shows we attended this year. Enjoy this issue and have a safe summer of exploring.
Sincerely,
Dave Grundy
Interim President & CEO |
54th Annual Mine Rescue Competition
Each year the WSCC organizes the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Mine Rescue Competition. Held in Yellowknife, the Competition tests the skills of search and rescue teams from Northern mines.
This year's Competition starts at the Giant Mine site on Friday, June 10. Following Friday's closed event, all participating teams compete on Saturday, June 11, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, at the Yellowknife Community Arena.
Saturday's competition is open to the public and is a great outdoor family event. Our partner, the NWT Chamber of Mines, will also host their community BBQ, known as the Miners' Picnic.
If you're in Yellowknife, drop by with your family and friends and show your support for mine safety. |
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Safety Tip: Hearing Protection
Our hearing is one of our most important senses. Listening to your favourite band's new single, waves crashing on a beach, or a baby laughing are all sounds we enjoy. To keep enjoying those sounds and more, you must protect your hearing at work.
To select the right hearing protection for workers, consider five factors:
- Noise Levels - The level of noise, in decibels, a worker will encounter.
- Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) - The effectiveness of the hearing protection at reducing the noise.
- Exposure - The type of exposure the worker experiences (continuously or intermittently) and how often the exposure occurs (daily, once a week, etc.).
- Environment - Consider the other hazards the worker will expose themselves to to make sure their hearing protection works with their other personal protective equipment.
- Fit - The worker must be comfortable wearing the protection and it must fit them properly to work.
Hearing loss is preventable but not repairable. Protect it. |
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Trade Shows: Taking Safety on the Road
Every year, we take the WSCC on the road to more than 20 locations around the North. Employees from our Industrial Safety, Mining, and Employer and Claims Services Units attend the shows to help provide information on our services and resources.
Our trade show season runs from September to June, and we are literally all over the map. Here are the shows we attended in the 2011 season:
January
Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce (BRCC) show, Cape Dorset, NU
February
Northwest Territories Construction Association show, Yellowknife, NWT
BRCC show, Qikiqtarjuaq, NU
Kitikmeot show, Cambridge Bay, NU
March
Skills Canada, Fort Smith, NWT
Skills Canada, Inuvik, NWT
BRCC show, Kimmirut, NU
April
Nunavut Mining Symposium, Iqaluit, NU
Skills Canada, Iqaluit, NU
Skills Canada, Yellowknife, NWT
Fort Smith Trade Show, Fort Smith, NWT
With the Inuvik Petroleum Show in Inuvik, NWT, left as our last show of the season, we crossed the Territories several times over, talking to employers, workers, and youth, sharing our safety message. If you have suggestions for additional shows, email us. |
Hard of Hearing Conference
Next week, Yellowknife will host the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) National Conference and Annual General Meeting. Held from June 16-18, the theme for this year's Conference is Drums of Hearing - North of 60. Topics on the conference agenda include audiology in the North, living with tinnitus, and the rights of the hard of hearing.
Hearing loss in the workplace is a problem that we all need to do our part to prevent. If you are interested in learning more about the CHHA Conference, visit their Conference website. |
Safety Practice Sheets
The newest item in our safety toolbox, safety practice sheets provide additional detail on how to safely use equipment or tools. They are great resources for employers to use in safety meetings and provide to workers as a reference, highlighting safe work practices. Our first safety practice sheets are Ladder Safety and Scaffolding Safety, available in English and French, and English and Inkutitut versions. If you would like safety practice sheets for your workplace, 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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