New Workers' Advisor
The Workers' Advisor Office (WAO) provides support and solutions to injured workers within the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Tune into July's feature article where we will get more in-depth with Garry Tkachuk and the Workers' Advisor Office.
|
Be Empowered: know your Rights
New worker rights and responsibilities Campaign
WSCC's new worker rights campaign, Be Empowered: Know Your Rights, empowers workers to find their voice and take action when it comes to knowing and exercising their workplace rights. Targeting new workers, the campaign focusses on: young workers entering the workforce for the first time; workers returning to the workforce after an absence; and people new to Canada.
Messages reinforce a workers' right to refuse unsafe work, to know what hazards exist in their workplace, and to participate in making their work environment safe. Every year, thousands of workers in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut get hurt at work. Learn how you can protect yourself and stay safe on the job; visit our website for more information.
|  |
Skills Canada Competition
The NWT and Nunavut Skills Canada Territorial Competitions took place in Iqaluit on April 29, and Yellowknife on May 6. Students in grades 9 through 12 from across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut showcased their skills and took part in some fierce competition. WSCC sponsors and hosts the Workplace Safety Skills Competition every year, and we are proud to see Dawson Kovacs from East Three Secondary School in Inuvik represent the Northwest Territories, and Nigel Neeveacheak from Netsilik School in Taloyoak represent Nunavut at Nationals! Attending the competition in Yellowknife was the first time Dawson left the Beaufort Delta, and this was the second time Nigel has attended Nationals. Congratulations to the overall national winner in Workplace Safety, Brittany Arsenault, from Saskatchewan. Congratulations to all of the students that participated across Canada.
|  |
|
Stakeholder Engagement Committee
Do you have a passion for safety? Are you interested in eliminating workplace diseases and injuries? Do you want to help ensure Northern workplaces are safe, and workers injured on the job are cared for? If you answered yes to these questions, the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) has the perfect role for you.
The WSCC is developing a Stakeholder Engagement Committee (SEC) to help gather timely information that will influence our decision making processes. As a member of the SEC you will offer feedback on a wide range of programs, stakeholder services, policies, safety resources and materials, and much more.
SEC members receive a quarterly honorarium of $275 ($1,100 per year), based on their level of participation. Terms are for two years. The WSCC is looking for committee members representing a variety of stakeholders, including workers, employers, and members of the general public, from across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
If you are interested in this exciting opportunity to help advance the Northern safety culture, let us know! Send your resume, along with a letter stating why you would like to participate in the SEC by Friday, June 27, 2014 to the Chairperson, Stakeholder Engagement Committee. | |
|
NAOSH Week
North American Occupational safety and health week
NAOSH Week is over, with another successful year of celebrating the importance of injury and illness prevention in the workplace, at home, and in the community.
The Safety Street event in Yellowknife saw several spirited teams from a variety of businesses square off and go head-to-head, with one team leaving victorious.
Iqaluit hosted the Safety Game Show, which saw teams compete in safety trivia, vying to be the last team standing.
Participants in Inuvik gathered for a Safety Talk about the importance of joint occupational health & safety (OHS) initiatives.
Congratulations to all our NAOSH Week winners!
- Inuvik - Lynn MacKinnon, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
- Iqaluit - Qikiqtani Hospital
- Yellowknife - SSi Micro's Hazard Exterminators
- Youth Colouring Contest - Inuvik Centennial Library: Destiny, Kianna, Mischa, Madison, Alayna, and Maria
- Toolbox Minute Challenge - Stuart Hodgson Workplace Safety Committee
|
 |
Governance Council Update
Introducing robert gabuna
We are proud to announce Robert Gabuna as the newest member of our Governance Council (GC). Robert begins his three-year term on the GC as a Public Interest Representative. He comes to the GC with a diverse background of positions in the government service and business sector, including experience overseas in the Philippines. He currently resides in Iqaluit. Robert's instrumental contribution to initiatives across Canada includes conceptualizing the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, facilitating ethno programs for the Society for Manitobans with Disability, working with the Manitoba Government to run an entrepreneurship program for newcomers, and many more. Robert's first meeting with the GC was last week, and we look forward to having him on board in the upcoming years. |  |
policy changes
The Governance Council reviewed and approved changes to the following policies at its June 2014 meeting:
- 09.02, Safe Advantage. This policy was previously titled 02.08, Safe Advantage Program.
- 03.02, Entitlement.
- 03.03, Arising out of and During the Course of Employment.
- 03.06, Entitlement of Occupational Disease Claims. This policy was previously titled 03.06, Occupational Disease.
- 03.07, Calculation of Temporary Compensation.
- 04.10, Employer Cost Transfer and Relief.
- 11.02, Reporting an Injury, Disease or Death. This policy was previously titled 11.02, Reporting an Injury.
Please refer to the WSCC Policy Manual to view all policies.
|  |
Mine Rescue Competition
June 13-14, 2014
The efficiency and effectiveness of a mine rescue team can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. The WSCC invited the public to watch the 57th Annual Mine Rescue Competition in Yellowknife on June 13th and 14th. Crowds gathered to witness mock mine disasters and watched team-after-team face the challenges. Five teams from four mines representing the Northwest Territories and Yukon competed this year. Tasks vary from year-to-year, forcing teams to adapt their methods and knowledge. This event provides the opportunity for rescue teams to collaborate and interact with participants from other mines. After testing their knowledge and skills, competitors and colleagues gathered at the Mine Rescue Awards Banquet at the Explorer Hotel. Ekati took home this year's Overall Surface and Overall Underground trophies. The WSCC is proud to sponsor this event in our on-going effort to promote workplace safety in all Northern workplaces. |  |
Inuvik Petroleum Show
June 23-25,2014
The 14th Annual Inuvik Petroleum Show takes place June 23 - 25 at the Midnight Sun Complex in Inuvik. Over 500 participants will network as they discuss issues facing the Oil & Gas sector. We encourage you to visit the WSCC at booth 52. We look forward to seeing you there! | |
Office Closures
24-hour Incident Reporting Line:
1-800-661-0792 
Aboriginal Day - June 21, 2014 (NWT offices closed on Monday, June 23) Canada Day - July 1, 2014 (all offices closed) Nunavut Day - July 9, 2014 (Nunavut office closed) | |
|
COURSE TIPS
safety education
WSCC, along with our partners NTFL and Northern Safety Association, offer courses about workplace safety and awareness. Stay informed about upcoming courses!
Northern Safety Association - Contact the NSA for more information
| Auditor Training Program | Yellowknife | June 17-18 | | Leadership for Safety Excellence | Yellowknife | June 19-20 |
WSCC Supervisor Safety Course - find out more information here!
|
Supervisor Safety | Rankin Inlet | June 24-26 |
Northern Territories Federation of Labour - Find out more information on courses here! | |
|
Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission
Northwest Territories & Nunavut
wscc.nt.ca / 1.800.661.0792 * wscc.nu.ca / 1.877.404.4407
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
