In partnership with 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. 

This year, the WSCC wants to inspire our young and future workers to use their imagination and creativity to come up with a live, animated, stop-motion or music video that can inform and inspire other young Northerners to think about how to stay safe at work. Each team must have a sponsoring adult from their high school or youth organization to supervise and support the team. The entry deadline is April 1st, 2019.

The winning video for our jurisdiction will receive a $1,000 prize, and their school/youth organization will receive an additional $1,000! The winning entry will advance to the Canadian National Finals for a chance to win an additional first place prize of $2,000 and a matching prize for their school/youth organization! For more information on rules, regulations, and how to submit an entry, visit our video contest page today 

Get Inspired! Check out some of the winning videos from last year .
 

December 1, 2018 was the date Health Canada mandated for WHMIS 2015 compliance. This means that you should confirm that all hazardous materials now have the correct labels and material safety data sheets. As well, all of your workers should be fully compliant and trained. Remember that WSCC offers FREE online WHMIS 2015 e-courses, available in Inuktitut, French and English.

The WHMIS training includes information on new symbols for specific types of hazards, how 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.

For more information on WHMIS 2015, visit our WHMIS page and take a look at the resources linked below, available in Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, French, and English:

• Guide for Employers and Workers
• WHMIS Pictograms
• Guide for Suppliers
• Workplace Labels
• Supplier Labels

*Please note that free training is only available to residents of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

         

Cannabis for recreational use has been legal in Canada for a little over 4 months. While attention in the media has died down, when it comes to impairment, workplace safety should always remain top of mind! The WSCC wants to remind you that the bottom line remains simple: are you fit to work?

Safety is everyone's responsibility: Employers have the duty to ensure a worker does not perform a task that they cannot do safely; and, workers have the duty to inform their employer of known physical and mental impairments that may affect their ability to perform a task safely.

Just remember, the first step to working safely is to be informed. 

Safety bulletins which focus on different sources of impairment are available on the WSCC's website, along with a code of practice on cannabis.

• Impairment at Work
• Alcohol Use and Work
• Cannabis at Work
• Fatigue
• Medications and Illness

If you have any questions regarding your workplace responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, please contact us at 1-800-661-0792.

February 27th is pink shirt day, a day widely recognized as a public protest against bullying! Did you know that 40% of youth have experienced cyber bullying, and that those who experience online bullying are twice as likely to attempt suicide? There is no justification for bullying. 

Cyber bullying happens online, but it can come from many sources: the workplace, the playground, or even people you may not know. 

If you want to learn more, or are looking for resources and information on workplace bullying, visit our website today.