FEBRUARY 2017                                                             FRAN�AIS
NEW WORKERS' ADVISOR

Most of us may never need the assistance of a Workers' Advisor, but imagine being in the unfortunate position of suffering a workplace disease or injury. Not only do you now have to focus on healing and recovery, you also have important paperwork and processes to follow as part of the workers' compensation system. We understand this can be overwhelming.

As an employer, ensuring your staff know what to do if involved in a workplace accident is an integral part of occupational health and safety. It is important that you and your staff know what services are available during the claims process.

WHAT IS A WORKERS' ADVISOR?

The Workers' Advisor Office (WAO) is available to assist injured workers and their dependents during the claims process. The Workers' Advisor is not part of the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC); they are an independent resource that serves injured workers. The WAO helps guide injured workers' through the workers' compensation system and provides support during the claims process. If the process results in an appeal, the Workers' Advisor can also help during that phase.

MEET YOUR LOCAL WORKERS' ADVISOR

Yellowknife: Patrick Scott, Workers' Advisor

Appointed by the Northwest Territories Minister Responsible for the WSCC, the Honourable Glen Abernethy, Mr. Patrick Scott begins his three-year term as an advocate for injured workers. Patrick Scott comes to the position of Workers' Advisor with a diverse background. He has worked in radio and television with CBC North, in negotiations with the GNWT and Dehcho First Nations, and in community development with World Vision Canada.  Having lived in the Northwest Territories for over 40 years, his work has given him the opportunity to travel to every community in the NWT and many communities in Nunavut. He and his wife Gabrielle have eight children.

In 2004, Patrick returned to university, part-time, to undertake a research-based Ph.D. at the University of Dundee in Scotland, graduating in 2010.

As Workers' Advisor, Patrick not only brings his research skills, his communications experience, and his mediation and negotiation training and experience, but he also brings his passionate commitment to supporting others. He welcomes the opportunity to assist workers with their claims.

Cambridge Bay: Attima Hadlari, Deputy Workers' Advisor

Attima brings a wealth of experience as an interpreter and translator to his position as Deputy Workers' Advisor. He is able to communicate with Northerners in all Nunavut Inuit dialects, including Inuinnaqtun and Inuktitut. Communicating with an injured worker in their language of choice, Attima helps workers through WSCC processes that may be unfamiliar.

Working on various boards and travelling across Nunavut, Attima practices cooperative and respectful working relationships. He provides timely and confidential services to workers and their families.

WHO CAN CONTACT THE WORKERS' ADVISOR?

The WAO is available to assist all injured workers or their families with a WSCC claim. Help is available during any part of the claim process, prior to completing your claim forms, or leading up to an appearance before the Review Committee or Appeals Tribunal.

DOES IT COST MONEY TO USE THE SERVICES OF THE WORKERS' ADVISOR?

All services offered by the WAO are available at no cost to the injured worker or their family.

WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC SERVICES THE WORKERS' ADVISOR PERFORMS?

The WAO provides a range of support services to workers injured in the Northwest Territories or Nunavut, including:
  • Obtaining information from the WSCC on their behalf;
     
  • Helping clients communicate with the WSCC;
     
  • Explaining the WSCC process and decisions;
     
  • Reviewing file evidence, and obtaining further evidence that may be necessary to support their case;
     
  • Assisting injured workers to prepare and present submissions to all WSCC decision-making levels; and
     
  • Referring clients to other community services.
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE INJURED WORKERS CONTACT THE WORKERS' ADVISOR?

The process begins when an injured worker or their family contacts the WAO. This can be at any stage of the claims process. The WAO will request a copy of the client's file from the WSCC to review, and determines if the claim has merit. If the claim has merit, the WAO will contact injured workers directly to explain the process. They will provide support and determine the next steps.

WHERE ARE THE WORKERS' ADVISOR OFFICES LOCATED?

The WAOs are located in Yellowknife, to serve the Northwest Territories, and in Cambridge Bay, to serve Nunavut.

WANT MORE INFORMATION?

For more information about the WAO and the services they offer, visit www.workersadvisor.ca or contact them at:

Yellowknife, NT
Phone: 867-444-0051
Fax: 867-873-5477

Cambridge Bay, NU
Phone: 867-979-5303
Fax: 867-983-2187
Toll-free: 1-866-727-3830
Email: [email protected]
INTERNATIONAL RSI AWARENESS DAY
FEBRUARY 28, 2017



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 suffer from 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 Tuesday, February 28, 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.
Free FIRST AID TRAINING
ADDITIONAL CLASSES NOW AVAILABLE

Thank you for your interest in our free two-day First Aid courses! Due to popular demand, we are continuing to offer additional classes and expand our reach this year.

The classes will move ahead as scheduled as long as there is a minimum of 12 registrants per class (maximum class size is 16-18 registrants, depending on the location size). To register, please click here for a list of communities and click on the community of your interest. Follow the instructions to complete your registration.

There is no cost for participants to attend the training. Participants are responsible for their own costs to travel to and from the sessions.

Please note the following:
  • If the minimum number of 12 registrants is not reached, we will contact you if we have to cancel or reschedule.
     
  • If a class is full, you can follow the instructions to join the waitlist. We will notify you when a spot opens up.
     
  • If there are enough participants on the waitlist, rest assured we will consider adding more classes and dates in your community.
For more information, or to register by phone, please call us at 1-800-661-0792 and ask about First Aid Training.
VIDEO CONTEST 2017
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 5th 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 2017 #FocusOnSafety contest is 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.
QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions or feedback for us, send us an email at [email protected] or [email protected].

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