SEPTEMBER 2018                                                                FRANÇAIS
CANNABIS LEGALIZATION
WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR WORKPLACE



As we draw closer to the legalization of cannabis in Canada, both employers and workers should begin to think about how this affects the workplace and workplace safety. Ingesting or smoking cannabis has short-term effects that influence a person's mental and physical abilities. While short-term effects of cannabis use will vary, the workplace safety concern is that workers could be impaired during the course of their work, which could affect their ability to perform work safely.

No matter what your position is in the workplace, the bottom line is simple: are you fit to work?
  • Employers have a duty to ensure a worker does not perform any task that they cannot do safely.
     
  • Workers have a duty to inform their employer of known physical or mental impairments that may affect their ability to perform a task safely.
If a worker's ability to perform tasks safely is at risk, or they are impaired as a result of fatigue, illness, alcohol, drugs, or any other condition that may be hazardous to their safety (or that of any other worker in the workplace), the employer has a responsibility to protect all workers from a potential workplace incident.

The WSCC has released Safety Bulletins on impairment, with a focus on different sources of impairment:
  • Impairment at Work
  • Alcohol Use and Work
  • Cannabis at Work
  • Fatigue
  • Medications and Illness
In the coming month, other resources will be available on www.wscc.nt.ca/impairment or www.wscc.nu.ca/impairment.  In the meantime, if you have any questions regarding your workplace responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations , give us a call at 1-800-661-0792.
POTENTIAL CANADA POST
SERVICE DISRUPTION

A Canada Post service disruption changes the way we work. The WSCC is committed to minimizing service interruption for our stakeholders.

Please take a moment to review our mailing alternatives for employers, workers, claimants, pensioners, and suppliers.


If you have any questions, please call our toll-free line at 1-800-661-0792.
DID YOU KNOW?
MONTHLY STATISTICS FOR AUGUST

Every month, the WSCC releases statistics on injuries from the previous month to help remind us all why safety is #worthit. If you're not already following us on Facebook and Twitter, take a look below at our August statistics.



Be aware. Know the statistics. Stay safe!

Join the safety conversation on Facebook and Twitter.
sAFE ADVANTAGE UPDATE
WSCC REVIEWS PROGRAM FOR 2018/2019

Employers, please note that going forward into 2018/2019, the Safe Advantage Program is under review and on hold until the review is complete.

The WSCC supports your success in developing and maintaining your occupational health and safety and return to work programs and will continue to develop resources to help. For more information, call us at 1-800-661-0792.
CHECK YOUR PAYROLL
THE TIME FOR REVISIONS IS NOW

Employers, now is a good time to review the payroll estimate you provided for 2017. This week, the WSCC sent out payroll revisions to all employers, so expect to see them in your mailbox soon.

Reporting significant changes in your payroll estimate throughout the year is the easiest way to avoid penalties for underestimating. To report changes, visit the Report or Revise Payroll e-Service on WSCC Connect and follow the instructions.

If you have any questions on revising your payroll, contact Employer Services in the Northwest Territories at 1-800-661-0792 and in Nunavut at 1-877-404-4407.
OFFICE CLOSURES

WSCC offices are closed for Thanksgiving on Monday, October 8, and will reopen on Tuesday, October 9 at 8:30 AM.

To report a serious workplace injury or incident, call 1-800-661-0792.

To report unsafe work, use our Report Unsafe Work service on WSCC Connect.
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