JANUARY 2018                                                                FRANÇAIS

ANNUAL PAYROLL REPORT DUE FEBRUARY 28: DON'T DELAY!
INCLUDE YOUR OHS UPDATE
Your Annual Payroll Report (APR) must be complete by February 28, 2018 to avoid penalty. Remember to submit even if you're reporting zero payroll. The penalty for late submission is 15% of your previous year's employer payroll assessment. All businesses must be on  WSCC Connect  to submit an APR.
 
Reminder: a new requirement of the APR process this year involves answering a few OHS questions. Before starting the APR filing process,  WSCC Connect   users should consult with the person who manages Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in their company (or the company they are filing for), to provide Yes/No answers to the OHS questions. Review the complete set of OHS Yes/No questions and explanations outlined in Section 4 of the  Guide to Completing Annual Payroll Reporting .
 
Information about what a documented OHS Program might look like is available on our  Safety Program Tools webpage.
 
We're here to help! If you need assistance, contact   Employer Services  or call toll-free at 1-800-661-0792.
YOUR OPINION MATTERS
PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS

The new Occupational Health and Safety Regulations ("Regulations") came into force in the Northwest Territories in June 2015, and in Nunavut in March 2016. Over the period of time since they were first made law, employers and workers became more familiar with the Regulations. As the W SCC Safety Officers collaborated and consulted with employers and workers to ensure awareness of the Regulations, certain areas were identified that could be clarified further. S ome gaps in the Regulations' direction and guidance were also identified.
 
The WSCC is continually reviewing the legislation it administers to make sure the legislation is current and fits the purpose for which it was created. Concerns from stakeholders are noted and reviewed to determine if amendment to the legislation is necessary. Issues that arise when the WSCC is working with stakeholders, or when the WSCC is enforcing the legislation, are also studied.

The WSCC has a list of amendments planned for the Regulations to address the small number of identified issues. We invite you to review the proposed amendments and provide your comments to the WSCC. The current Regulations can be found at the links below:
Please submit your feedback by February 28, 2018 to lawfeedback@wscc.nt.ca.

If you need additional time to provide feedback, please let us know by email at the address above.

To get started, access the proposed amendments.

The proposed amendments are also available in  French ,  Inuktitut , and  Inuinnaqtun
NEW YEAR, NEW STRATEGIC PLAN


A strategic plan is a roadmap for an organization. The strategic planning process challenges an organization to prioritize competing initiatives, to choose what to do and what not to do, and ensures all actions fit with the organization's Vision, Mission, and Values.
 
At the WSCC, our strategic plan operates on a five-year cycle (previously, a three-year cycle), lending focus to longer-term objectives and action items. In 2018, we begin our first five-year plan. It builds on the progress made in the previous three-year cycle and recognizes the factors contributing to the WSCC's successes, and reflects on areas that can improve. Together, with the annual Corporate Plan, the strategic plan outlines the organization's priorities and commitments to stakeholders. Internally, it provides the basis for more detailed divisional operational plans to ensure that all organizational activities connect to the Vision to  Eliminate Workplace Diseases and Injuries.
 
Two priorities will drive the WSCC's work in the next five years: Advancing the Safety Culture, and Delivering Quality Services and Outcomes. The 2018-2022 Strategic Plan and the 2018 Corporate Plan are approved by the Governance Council, and we look forward to presenting them to our stakeholders. Visit our website to access the strategic plan, available in Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, French, and English.

             
VIDEO CONTEST 2018: 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 and youth organizations throughout the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The WSCC manages the territorial competition before sending the winning video to CCOHS for the national stage of the competition.
 
Now in its 6th year, the contest is open to all high schools and youth organizations with students in grades 9 to 12, and this year's theme is #FocusOnSafety. The winning video will earn a $1,000 prize, and another $1,000 will be awarded to the entrant's sponsor school/youth organization. Each team must have a sponsor from their high school/organization 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 2018 #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 our video contest page.
WHAT'S NEW
WSCC PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS

WSCC 2018 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.

                 

fire prevention
Tips for Preventing Accidental Fires

Accidental fires are an unusual occurrence in most workplaces. It is easy to take for granted some of the everyday hazards that, if overlooked, can contribute to the occurrence of these fires. Here are some general tips to help prevent accidental fires at work, as well as at home:
  • Dispense flammable liquids only in areas free from sparks, flames, and other sources of ignition.
     
  • Keep all containers of flammable liquids closed or covered when they are not in use. Return the containers to their designated storage area when you are done using them.
     
  • When decanting flammable liquid, bond the two containers together and ground one. This helps prevent the build-up of static electricity, which can create a spark and ignite the vapors.
     
  • Keep all waste paper, cardboard, and similar combustible materials tidy and placed in designated waste receptacles. Letting these items accumulate on the floor or other work areas creates an unnecessary fire hazard.
     
  • Only use flame or spark-producing equipment, such as welders, torches, and grinders, in designated areas.
     
  • Avoid stacking materials too close to fire sprinkler heads, as doing so can affect their ability to disperse water adequately when activated; usually we must maintain a minimum of 18 inches of clearance below the level of the sprinkler heads.
     
  • Ensure portable fire extinguishers are regularly inspected, fully charged, and accessible at all times.
     
  • Ensure portable heaters are clear and free of debris, and are unplugged and neatly stored when they are not being used.
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