FEBRUARY 2016                                                        FRANÇAIS
NEXT MONTH: OVEREXERTION
#1 cause of sprain, strain, and tear injuries

Over the past few issues of SafetyNet, we've explored sprains and strains, and examined slips, trips, and falls. Next month, we'll be focusing on the number one cause of sprain, strain, and tear injuries: overexertion.
  
If you've been paying close attention to our previous issues, you'll have read in November that overexertion while lifting caused 20.23% of all sprain, strain, and tear injuries in 2014. In looking over our data from 2015, it was clear that not much has changed: overexertion while lifting remains the leading cause, accounting for 18.43%, of all sprain, strain, and tear injuries in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

How can we reduce these injuries? What leads to overexertion? As with all other workplace injuries, those caused by overexertion are entirely preventable. Stay tuned next month to find out what you can do to prevent and reduce the risks of overexertion.
WSCC CONNECT:
NEW E-SERVICE RELEASES

The Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) is set to release two new e-services on WSCC Connect in early March. It is our commitment to stakeholders to expand our online services in 2016.

REPORT UNSAFE WORK

The Report Unsafe Work e-service is a unique service to WSCC Connect: it is geared towards everyone, meaning you do not require an account to access this service. We recognize that anyone can witness a situation, hazard, or condition that may expose a person to risk of injury or occupational disease. Report Unsafe Work is therefore the tool that everyone can use to report these incidents to the WSCC (anonymously or not).

The WSCC receives notification when a Report of Unsafe Work has been submitted, and will determine the next steps required based on the information provided. If you submit your Report of Unsafe Work anonymously, the WSCC will not contact you. You will still be able to view the status of the report by the confirmation number supplied, and by accessing WSCC Connect and clicking on "View Unsafe Work Reports." Specific details such as names or addresses will be removed from the description before it is posted to WSCC Connect.

If you witness a hazardous situation, the WSCC encourages you to use this new feature to Report Unsafe Work. It is very simple to use and can be completed with just a few details.

REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS

If you operate a business in the Northwest Territories or Nunavut for more than ten calendar days within a calendar year, you must register with the WSCC. Employers are now able to log on to WSCC Connect to Register their business. There are five easy steps to complete your business registration:
  1. Company Profile - legal name, trade name, address, and main contact information.
     
  2. Owners/Directors - information about the owners, directors, or partners and whether they require Personal Optional Coverage.
     
  3. Company Operations - where will you be operating, and employee payroll information.
     
  4. Company Activities - information on your business activities.
     
  5. Review and Submit - review any information that we may require that has not already been completed. Once all required information is received, you will be able to submit your application to the WSCC.
Employers will be able to view the status of their submission through their WSCC Connect account. Once you register, your status will be set to Registered.

This system is easy and straightforward to use. Log on to WSCC Connect today and familiarize yourself with the system as new services continue to roll out. We will soon have a self-serve kiosk at our Yellowknife office if you wish to stop by and register in person.
SAFE ADVANTAGE NEWS
SAVE THE DATE: MARCH 31, 2016 

Safe Advantage Employers, please note that the deadline for submitting the Management Practices Questionnaire (MPQ) is Thursday, March 31, 2016.

Safe Advantage is the WSCC's employer safety incentive program for employers who pay more than $40,000 in assessments to the WSCC. This financial incentive program rewards employers with proven health, safety, and return to work/claims management practices, and low claims experience costs.

Safe Advantage employers with poor management practices and high claims costs will receive penalties. Those who do not submit their completed questionnaires may receive additional penalties.

For additional information and resources to help you through the questionnaire, please refer to the Safe Advantage Management Practices Questionnaire Guide. This document provides tools for all employers to build and maintain their Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and Return to Work (RTW) programs.

Want to find out more about our Safe Advantage program, or have questions? Contact our Safe Advantage Specialist at safeadvantage@wscc.nt.ca or at
1-800-661-0792.
THE POWER OF SHARING

Northerners have always depended on each other and worked together. It's what we do.

This is why the WSCC created Safety Share, a new online forum where employers can share information, ask questions, collaborate, and gain easy access to important WSCC safety information.

Safety Share supports dialogue in both English and French. It groups discussions into six categories to help employers easily identify topics of interest. The categories are: Important Safety Notices, Safety Resources, Practices Worth Sharing, Looking for Assistance, In the News, and General Discussion. Engage in discussions; post pictures or links; comment on posts; and use the polling feature to get feedback on questions with
pre-set answers.

Safety Share is accessible through the WSCC website or at www.safetyshare.wscc.nt.ca.
video contest 2016: focus on safety

On behalf of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), the WSCC is once again hosting the annual video contest for high school students throughout the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The WSCC manages the territorial competition before sending the winning video to the CCOHS for the national stage of the competition.

Now in its 4th year, the contest is open to all high school students in grades 9 to 12, and this year's theme is #FocusOnSafety. The winning video will earn a $1000 prize, and another $1000 will be awarded to the entrant's sponsor school. Each team must have a sponsor teacher from their high school who supervises and supports the team.

While videos must have a workplace safety focus, the content and message is open to your imagination and creativity. Whether it is a drama, an animation, a stop-motion video, or a music video, all ideas and submissions are welcome. Ask yourself how workers and employers can help create a safer workplace for all.

The submission deadline for the 2016 #FocusOnSafety contest is Friday, April 1st, at 11:59 PM MST.

For more information, including rules and regulations, how to submit an entry, and more, visit the video contest page here.
INTERNATIONAL RSI AWARENESS DAY
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016

Repetitive strain injuries occur as a result of frequent and repetitive work activities and are a serious occupational health concern all over the world. In Canada alone, 2.3 million Canadian adults are crippled by repetitive strain injuries each year, even though these injuries are entirely preventable.

International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day occurs each year on the last day of February. Join us as we recognize #RSIDay this year on Monday, February 29, and take a look at our Safety Bulletins to learn how to prevent strains. Let's work together to eliminate RSI hazards before they lead to injury and time loss from work.
WHAT'S NEW
WSCC PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS

Hazard Alert: Slips, Trips, and Falls

On January 29, the WSCC released a  Hazard Alert on slips, trips, and falls, after two separate incidents occurred within a one-week period. In Iqaluit, two workers at different locations slipped and fell on icy surfaces, resulting in serious bone fractures requiring surgery.

As we've seen right here in previous issues of SafetyNet, slips, trips, and falls remain a major cause of injury in the workplace. The WSCC advises Northerners to continue to exercise caution and use safe work practices to prevent slips, trips, and falls. Pay attention to your surroundings, wear proper footwear, and conduct hazard assessments to ensure your work spaces are safe for all. Slips, trips, and falls are always preventable. For more, please see our Safety Bulletins.

WSCC 2016 Calendar

Every year, the WSCC produces a calendar that highlights observed holidays and important WSCC dates and events in both the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. To request copies of the wall calendar for your workplace, email us here.
COURSE TIPS
Safety education
The WSCC partners with the NTFL and NSA to offer courses on workplace safety and awareness. Stay informed about upcoming courses by visiting the links below.

Northern Safety Association - see a full list of programs and courses here.

Northern Territories Federation of Labour - view upcoming courses here.

For additional approved providers of Occupational Health and Safety Education, click here.
This information will soon be available in Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun on our website.

wscc.nt.ca   /  1.800.661.0792   *   wscc.nu.ca  /  1.877.404.4407