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WHAT'S NEW
WSCC PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS
Hazard Alert: Fall from Height
Last month, the WSCC released a Hazard Alert cautioning Northerners to use proper fall protection when working at heights, after a worker fell from a second level floor opening at a construction site in Yellowknife.
The worker was not using fall protection and fell over 3 metres, striking their head and shoulder on a concrete pad below. The worker suffered a head injury as a result.
It is important that all workers across the north who work at heights of 3 metres or more without standard guardrails use CSA-approved fall protection equipment.
Falls from heights are preventable. Pay attention to your surroundings, use proper personal protective equipment (PPE), and ensure your workers are aware of floor openings by cordoning them off with caution or do-not-cross tape. For more information, please visit our page on Hazard Alerts.
Safety Bulletin: Synthetic Web Slings
Did you know that synthetic web slings must be regularly and properly inspected, especially if they are frequently used outdoors? Synthetic web slings - which are lightweight and flexible flat rigging usually made of nylon or polyester - are generally used to protect highly finished parts or delicate equipment. Due to the fact that they are often subject to constant wear and tear, they must be cared for and replaced every two to four years. For additional details, including how to identify synthetic web slings that must be retired from service, refer to our new Safety Bulletin on Synthetic Web Slings.
Click here to access our other Safety Bulletins.
Homeowners Awareness
Home renovations and outdoor projects are well underway this summer. If you have nannies, cleaners, repair workers, contractors or others work full or part-time in your home, consult with the WSCC and the Workers' Compensation Acts and Safety Acts to see whether you fall under the employer category.
For more information, take a look at our Homeowners' Responsibilities brochure, and call us at 1-800-661-0792 if you have any questions. |  |
SAFE ADVANTAGE
MAKING IT EASIER FOR YOU
Safe Advantage is the WSCC's mandatory employer safety incentive program for employers who pay more than $40,000 in assessments to the WSCC annually. This financial incentive program rewards employers with proven health, safety, and return to work/claims management practices, and low claims experience costs.
Employers in the program with low claims experience costs and proven management practices may be eligible for refunds while employers with high claims experience costs and poor management practices will receive penalties.
Beginning in early August, the two existing Safe Advantage Management Practices Questionnaires will be combined into one for your convenience. The newly-combined form (with Prevention and Return to Work/Claims Management together) will be made available on our Safe Advantage page. Current Safe Advantage employers as well as employers who are new to the program will be notified via email, as well as by mail.
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.
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NEW OHS REGULATIONS
KNOW THEM. UNDERSTAND THEM.
New Occupational Health and Safety Regulations are now law across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The new OHS Regulations became effective in the NWT in June, 2015, and in Nunavut in March, 2016. Remember that whether your business is large or small, it is to your benefit to familiarize yourself with these new Regulations. These Regulations apply to all businesses operating in the North, with the exception of those that are federally regulated, so it's not just your responsibility - it's the law.
The new Regulations are available for download at OHSRegs.ca. |  |
SAFETY SHARE
NEW WSCC TOOL FOR EMPLOYERS
Ever wanted to check in with other employers on their safety practices and programs? Safety Share is 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.
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RETURN TO WORK
STAYING ACTIVE PAYS OFF
As much as we work to educate employers and workers on the importance of workplace safety and prevention, accidents sometimes happen. Remember, however, that a workplace injury does not always need to result in time lost from work.
It has been statistically proven that working to recover is healthier for the average worker than staying at home. While resting and recuperating has its benefits, staying at home can sometimes be detrimental to your health. Safely returning to work and staying active has been proven to vastly improve your recovery and rehabilitation.
This is where our Return to Work program comes in. A safe and timely Return to Work (RTW) helps both injured workers and their employers, because the longer injured workers are away from the workplace, the more difficult it is to return to productive employment.
RTW is a process that helps injured workers remain at work or get back to suitable work as soon as safely and medically possible. It may involve working modified duties, alternate duties, or graduated hours while recovering. The primary goal is to get injured workers back to their pre-injury health and job position.
The RTW process includes responsibilities for the injured worker, their employer, the medical professional, and the WSCC. Everyone works collaboratively to decide the best option for the worker's recovery.
Everyone benefits from a safe and timely return to work. Employers retain skilled employees, reduce re-hiring and re-training costs, and promote a strong safety culture. Workers maintain financial benefits (pension, employment insurance, medical and dental plans, pre-injury earnings, etc.), increase their overall morale, maintain their connection to the workplace, and protect their employability. Best of all, it helps with recovery and rehabilitation, preventing further disability.
Visit our Return to Work page to explore your options and let us help you navigate the road to recovery. Take a look at our resources for Workers, Employers, and Health Care Providers. Should you wish to learn more, or have questions, we have a Return to Work Specialist who can provide you with advice or assistance in developing and implementing RTW processes for your workplace. Call us at 1-800-661-0792 or email us.
Remember, recovery doesn't always just happen in the home.
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POLICY CHANGES
The Governance Council of the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut approved revisions to the following four Policies and two Governance Council Directives at its June 2016 meeting:
- Policy 00.02, Reconsidering a Decision
- Policy 00.09, Partnerships
- Policy 08.01, Reviewing and Appealing Decisions
- Policy 08.02, Rehearing an Appeal
- Governance Council Directive B-009, Appeals Tribunal Members' Remuneration and Travel
- Governance Council Directive B-011, Appeals Tribunal Members' Claim
Please refer to the WSCC Policy Manual to view all WSCC policies, and the Governance Council Directives Manual to view all Governance Council Directives.
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OFFICE CLOSURES
CIVIC HOLIDAY
WSCC's offices are closed for the Civic Holiday on Monday, August 1, and reopen at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, August 2.
To report a serious workplace injury or incident, call 1-800-661-0792. |  |
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
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