MARCH 2017                                                               FRANÇAIS
COMING SOON: NEW FORM
EMPLOYER'S REPORT OF INCIDENT

To ease the reporting process for employers, and to help employers fulfill all their reporting requirements, three forms will soon be combined into one. Two existing Notices to the Chief Safety Officer - the Accident Causing Serious Bodily Injury form and the Dangerous Occurrence form - will soon be incorporated into the existing Employer's Report of Injury form to become a new Employer's Report of Incident form.

MORE INFORMATION TO COME

Employers, more information will be coming directly to your inbox next month to explain these changes in greater detail. Stay tuned for additional information as well in next month's issue of SafetyNet.
NOW AT A COFFEE SHOP NEAR YOU...
WORK SAFE AND WIN!



We are always looking for ways to encourage a safety culture, and to remind everyone why it's important to stay safe in the workplace every day. Whether it's looking forward to a weekend getaway, dinner with friends and family, watching your kids grow up, or travelling around the world, we all have something in our lives that makes being safe at work worth it.

This is why the WSCC has created these #worthit coffee sleeves. It's never too early in the day to start thinking about safety - and getting home safely - and there is never a bad time to remind yourself, and others, to be safe while at work.

Join us on our #worthit safety challenge: share a picture with @WSCCNTNU of you and your coffee sleeve, or a picture of you being safe at work, and use the hashtag #worthit for a chance to win awesome prizes. We'll be picking a winner every month, while coffee sleeve quantities last. Get snapping, and show us on Facebook or Twitter why you think safety is #worthit.

Don't see our coffee sleeves at your local coffee establishment? Let us know! We will contact them right away to ask if they'd like to carry some.
WHMIS 2015: FREE ONLINE TRAINING
AVAILABLE APRIL 15, 2017

The WSCC, in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), has developed an online WHMIS 2015 e-course to help employers ensure their workers' WHMIS, or Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System training, is current.

The WSCC will sponsor 1,000 free seats to the online training. The e-course helps employers and workers comply with training requirements, and fully understand the changes in labelling hazardous materials and the material data sheets that must be available at the worksite.

Employers, workers, and suppliers must conform to the new information system, which became known as WHMIS 2015 after it incorporated the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) in February 2015.

The WHMIS training includes information on new symbols for specific types of hazards, to handle and store the materials, First Aid measures, and level of risk. Workers must be trained to identify these hazards and know how to handle them safely.

This e-course will be available in English and French. A link to the CCOHS registration page is available starting April 15 on the WSCC website. Visit www.wscc.nt.ca or www.wscc.nu.ca on April 15 for more details on how to register.

IMMEDIATE TRAINING REQUIRED?

Anyone who requires WHMIS training prior to April 15 can visit the CCOHS webpage to complete it for $10 per person.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please call 1-800-661-0792 and ask to speak with Meta Antolin, our OHS Specialist.

For more information on WHMIS 2015, visit our WHMIS page and take a look at the resources linked below, available in English, French, Inuktitut, and Inuinnaqtun:
DAY OF MOURNING: APRIL 28
REMEMBERING THOSE LIVES LOST

Each year, almost 1,000 Canadian workers die due to workplace accident, disease, or injury.

April 28 is the National Day of Mourning. It is a day dedicated to remembering lives lost or injured in the workplace. It is also a day to renew our commitment to improving health and safety in the workplace to prevent further tragedy.

The Northern Territories Federation of Labour (NTFL) is hosting public ceremonies to remember and honour fallen workers. Ceremonies take place at the Legislative Assemblies in Yellowknife and Iqaluit on Friday, April 28, at noon. All are welcome to attend.

Declare April 28 a Day of Mourning in your workplace. Display a Day of Mourning poster (click here to download), wear black to show your support, and remember: workplace safety awareness can save lives.
WINTER DRIVING TIPS

Although the calendar says spring, up here in the North we know that everything is not always as it seems. And to most of us, winter weather is still in full force.

Even if driving is not part of your job, it's still a good idea to keep some tips in mind to help you safely through this last gasp of winter.
  • Prepare Your Vehicle
    Do a walk around your vehicle.  Check, among other things, your gas, brakes, tires including the spare, and wipers; give the entire vehicle a thorough look over and determine if everything is in good, working order.
     
  • Pack a Winter Driving Kit
    Before you leave, make sure to stock your vehicle with emergency gear. Remember to pack a shovel, ice scraper, extra fuel, and a bag of sand or salt. Prepare yourself in case you become stranded. Pack extra blankets or sleeping bags, extra warm and dry clothing, and food and water.
     
  • Plan Your Trip
    Make sure to check what the weather conditions are before you leave. Give yourself enough time to reach your destination without rushing. Avoid driving when you're tired. Have someone expect a check-in with you by a certain time. Be careful.
Winter Driving
sAFE ADVANTAGE REMINDER
DEADLINE: MARCH 31, 2017

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

Safe Advantage is the WSCC's employer safety incentive program for employers who pay more than an average of $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 Elaine Welsh, our Safe Advantage Specialist at safeadvantage@wscc.nt.ca or at 1-800-661-0792.
POLICY CHANGES

The Governance Council reviewed and approved the following policies and Governance Council directive at its March 2017 meeting:
  • Policy 00.08, Decision Making
  • Policy 09.01, Safety Education and Training
  • Policy 10.03, Procurement
  • GC Directive B-012, Governance Council Directors' Training
Please refer to the WSCC Policy Manual to view all WSCC policies, and the Governance Council Directives Manual to view all Governance Council Directives.
OFFICE CLOSURES

WSCC offices are closed from 5:00 PM on Thursday, April 13 for the Easter Long Weekend, and will reopen on Tuesday, April 18 at 8:30 AM.

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