Insight Masthead
WSCC
Volume 7 Issue 2
June 2013

 

Visit us on the web at wscc.nt.ca or wscc.nu.ca

In This Issue
Get Your Account Number Now!

NAOSH Wrap-up

Mine Rescue

Codes of Practice

Goodbye and Hello

GC Update

Holiday Reminder

Quick Links

www.wscc.nt.ca

 
www.wscc.nu.ca

 www.waonwtnu.ca


 
www.ccohs.ca

 
www.awcbc.org

 
www.naosh.org

 
www.nsa-nt.ca

 
www.ntfl.yk.com

 

Policy Spotlight

At its recent June meeting in Yellowknife, the Governance Council approved revisions to six policies: 00.04, Year's Maximum Insurable Remuneration (YMIR); 03.07, Calculation of Temporary Compensation; 04.11, Claims Management; 04.13, Conflicting Medical Opinion; 06.03, Calculation of Permanent Compensation; and 10.04, Preventing and Investigating Abuses and Offences.

 

At the March meeting in Iqaluit, the Governance Council approved revisions to five policies:

00.05, Determining Employer and Worker Status; 02.04, Coverage Outside of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut; 09.01, Safety Education; 10.04, Preventing and Investigating Abuses and Offences; and 11.02, Reporting an Injury.

 

To view all current policies, including those under review, visit our website.
Get Your Account Number Now!

 

The Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) is expanding our account registration process to make it easier for businesses to work in the North.

 

Any qualified business, including start-ups and bidding operations, can now register and receive an account number prior to starting work or reporting payroll. This change became necessary as industry bidding practices evolved to include WSCC registration as a condition of awarding contracts. The change reflects the need to foster business growth and eliminate barriers for start-ups and bidding operations.

 

While the new account numbers do not automatically grant coverage under the Workers' Compensation Acts, it is easier for organizations to start work. Once work commences, these businesses simply need to contact the WSCC to report their payroll, or to apply for personal optional coverage.

 

An administrative fee to cover the cost of this new service comes into effect October 2013. The WSCC extends a grace period to businesses registering early.

 

Businesses can apply for an account number by filling out the revised New Employer Account Registration form, available on our website.

 

 

safety street sign 
NAOSH Wrap-up 
  

Another year of safety celebrations has come to a close! Safety Street, in celebration of North American Occupational Safety & Health (NAOSH) week, wrapped up in Yellowknife, Inuvik and Iqaluit, and the WSCC thanks everyone who celebrated with us!

 

Congratulations to all Safety Street winners!

  • Inuvik - Rick Lindsay, Lorie Fyfe
  • Iqaluit - Qikiqtaaluk Corporation
  • Yellowknife - Team Hazard Haters (Department of Municipal and Community Affairs); Grace Lau-a, Beverly Pilgrim, Justin Hazenberg, and Kavitha Balaji
  • Youth Colouring Contest - Courtney Rinas, Aldan Doornbos, Noah Crocken, Brennen Sutton, Abigail McDonald, and Cassidy
  • Toolbox Minute Challenge - City of Yellowknife's Solid Waste Division

The WSCC celebrates NAOSH week every year. Contact us to find out how you can join the celebrations!

 


Mine Rescue

 

Emergency situations in a mine require effective communication, astute decision making, skilled action, and rescue equipment that works properly. In the event of a mine emergency, lives depend on rescue teams.

 

The WSCC invited the public to watch the 56th Annual Mine Rescue Competition in Yellowknife, June 14 and 15, where mine rescue teams tested their rescue skills and techniques. The dark day didn't dampen the turn out, as spectators witnessed mock mine disasters and watched team after team face the challenges.

 

Seven teams from six mines representing all three territories competed this year. Challenges included surface and underground written tests; surface and underground practical bench (equipment check); fire-fighting; underground obstacle; surface and underground smoke; rope rescue; first aid; and surface obstacle/recovery. Tasks vary from year-to-year, forcing teams to adapt their knowledge to new situations. The pressure is high and the solutions must come quickly. The event also provides rescue teams the opportunity to interact with their counterparts from other mines.

  

All teams performed extremely well. "They know what to do in the event of an emergency," said Peter Bengts, WSCC Chief Inspector of Mines. "The northern mining community can be confident they are in good hands."

 

After two days of testing their abilities, competitors and colleagues gathered at the Mine Rescue Awards Banquet at the Explorer Hotel. Cathie Bolstad, President of the NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines, emceed the evening. Ekati Diamond Mine, Dominion Diamond Corporation took home this year's Overall Surface and Overall Underground trophies. For a complete list of winners visit our website. The Ekati teams, along with the winning teams from the 2012 competition, compete in the Biannual Western Mine Rescue Competition, the largest in Canada, in Fernie, BC, in September.

 

The WSCC sponsors the annual competition as part of its mandate to promote workplace safety in all Northern workplaces. 

Codes of Practice
 

The WSCC announces the publication of a series of ten codes of practice on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). These much needed codes provide information on regulatory requirements of PPE and the applicable Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards.

 

The PPE codes in the series include:

  1. PPE Basics
  2. Eye and Face Protection
  3. Foot Protection
  4. Hand Protection
  5. Head Protection
  6. Hearing Protection
  7. High-Visibility Apparel
  8. Respiratory Protection
  9. Commercial Diving Operations
  10. Fall Protection (available July)

Codes of practice provide practical guidance for stakeholders to meet the safety standards of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Safety Acts and Regulations, and ensure safety in the workplace. Stakeholder input is critical in the development process, and Northern stakeholders made significant contributions through their participation in focus groups, working groups, and reviews.

 

Additional codes are available for Hazard Assessment, Asbestos Abatement, Thermal Conditions and Traffic Control Person.

 

The Traffic Control Person (TCP) code supports traffic control people in regulating traffic at work sites to ensure the safety of the public and work crews. The TCP code uses a pocket-size logbook for easy recording of incidents. These logbooks are available at the WSCC. Call 1-800-661-0792 to order logbooks for your organization.

 

Codes of practice are available on our website.

Please email for more information, or to learn how you can participate in developing upcoming codes of practice. All Codes of Practice refer to the existing Safety Regulations.

Goodbye and Hello 
  
After nine years with the Governance Council (GC), the WSCC wishes Bill Aho the best of luck! Bill served with the GC as Chairperson since 2009 and used his strong interpersonal skills to enhance the working relationship between the GC and the WSCC.

 

Taking on the Chairperson role is Dave Tucker. Dave was appointed to the GC in September 2012 and brings an extensive board and management experience to his new role. He is as a chartered accountant and works in strategic and business planning.

 

The GC oversees the business and management of the WSCC and protects its' financial integrity. The Northwest Territories Minister Responsible, in consultation with the Nunavut Minister, appoints Directors to the GC.

 

The Directors perform specific roles. One Director serves as Chairperson, with two Directors assigned to represent each of the public interest, workers, and employers.

 

The WSCC President reports to the GC on WSCC operations, programs, and budgets.

GC Update

 

The GC meets four times a year and is already half-way through their 2013 meetings.

 

March's meeting, in Iqaluit, saw the 2012 financials of the organization approved. Funding was approved to support Partners in Compliance (PIC), a program aimed at transforming the commercial transportation industry. With the ice roads and the completed bridge project, commercial carriers and transportation are even more a focus. PIC provides opportunity for motor carriers to realize higher safety standards and receive recognition for their achievements. PIC aims to make roads safer and more secure, and transportation systems more reliable and efficient.

 

The June GC meeting saw the delegation of authority for the appointments of safety professionals transfer from the GC to the WSCC President & CEO. An update was made on the Directed Services Philosophy. This philosophy aims to support and enhance the connection between workplace safety and care for workers. Both Stakeholder Services and Prevention Services are working to enhance our relationship with stakeholders by applying the principles of prevention, care, education, and consultation.

 

The next meeting takes place in September in Yellowknife. If you have something you want to share with the GC, email!

Holiday Reminder 

 

The WSCC offices in Yellowknife and Inuvik close in recognition of Aboriginal Day, Friday, June 21. The Iqaluit office closes July 9 for Nunavut Day. All WSCC offices close for Canada Day, Monday, July 1. Call 1-800-661-0792 to report a serious injury or incident during the closures. 

Quality Assurance

Quality Assurance

 

The Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission commits to service excellence. Share your suggestions with our President on how to serve you better. Email or call (867) 920-3888, or toll free at (800) 661-0792.

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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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH STAKEHOLDERS, WE ENSURE WORKPLACE SAFETY, AND CARE FOR WORKERS